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2020 Kia Forte GT revealed at SEMA adds turbo engine, manual transmission

We figured it was coming soon, but the performance version of the Kia Forte just dropped at SEMA. Named Forte GT, this 2020 model sedan takes the redesigned for 2019 Forte and turns it up a few notches in the fun department. Replacing the naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder is a 1.6-liter turbocharged four banger. It makes 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, which is identical to the power it makes in the Hyundai Elantra Sport and GT Sport. A "sport-tuned" dual exhaust is added to give the car some aural appeal too. Buyers will be able to choose between a six-speed manual and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, also the same as the Elantra. We hope you're noticing a trend here. The torsion bar rear suspension is replaced with a fully independent suspension design, making it that way for all four corners. Thicker sway bars and larger disc brakes are used all around as well. To keep it stuck to the ground, Kia is offering Michelin Pilot Sport summer tires as an option — that's pretty sweet. All of these changes follow the same pattern as the Elantra did when Hyundai introduced the Sport trim for that car. The Hyundai doesn't offer this aggressive of a tire package though. Of course, there are exterior changes here, too. New 18-inch two-tone wheels are exclusive to the GT. A shouty (and questionable) gloss black and red accented grille with GT designation is the most obvious switch-up. There's more gloss black on the mirrors, side sills, rear spoiler and turn signals. Black sport seats with red contrast stitching, a flat-bottom steering wheel and aluminum sport pedals differentiate the interior from the normal Forte trims. Kia is also making a less exciting Forte "GT Line" trim car, which is essentially a GT appearance package. You'll get almost all the go-fast look parts, but the mechanicals are identical to the standard Forte. This means the 2.0-liter, CVT and torsion beam rear go back in. The baby Stinger theme is carried on with this car in its name and even the GT1 and GT2 option packages available for these two new trim levels. Both the packages offer differing levels of Kia's driver assistance technologies, as well as tech like a Harman Kardon audio system and heated/cooled seats. While we can safely say the new Forte is no Stinger, this GT trim is an extremely welcome addition, especially the continued option for a manual transmission. Related video:

2024 New York International Auto Show Editors' Top 5 Picks

The New York Auto Show, like many other shows over the past few years, has shrunk. But it's still playing host to some interesting reveals, and we even got a few surprises this year. It was dominated by Nissan and Hyundai Motor Group products, but ones running the gamut from affordable cars to flagship SUVs. It was a strange situation of being both quite diverse in reveals, and not at all, depending on how you looked at it. Our favorites of the show are a clear representation of that. And another interesting observation, only one of the picks was significantly electrified. Scroll down to see the best reveals of the New York Auto Show,. 2025 Nissan Kicks View 10 Photos 5. Nissan Kicks "The Nissan Kicks has gone from a reasonably attractive and small crossover into something way more funky with cool textures, color combinations and some actual presence. Plus, it's more spacious, more powerful and has available all-wheel drive. If Nissan can keep the price nice and low to compete with similarly stylish and well-executed competition like the Chevy Trax, the company's got a real winner on its hands." – News Editor Joel Stocksdale InfinitiQX80-Z63-051 View 39 Photos 4. Infiniti QX80 "The QX80 wasn't technically shown at the New York Auto Show, but it was revealed just a week prior at Hudson Yards – accross the street, in other words. Frankly, I wasn't blown away by the initial photos, but I think it looks great in person. The attention to detail both outside and in seem appropriate for an SUV that Infiniti hopes to sell for six figures loaded up. I'm a believer." – Associate Editor Byron Hurd 2025 Kia K4 Live View 7 Photos 3. Kia K4 Sedan "The Kia K4 interior has way more style than anything in the compact car price range has any business having. Now, if we don't get the green interior option shown in the initial global reveal photos, I'm retracting several of my points here. Otherwise, wowza. I kept looking and looking at that K4 interior photo, and finding new, interesting details to admire. Oh, and the exterior is pretty cool, too, though I do prefer the hatchback in that regard." – Senior Editor, West Coast, James Riswick Genesis GV60 Magma Concept View 10 Photos 2. Genesis GV60 Magma "I am psyched to see Genesis show off a proper performance car. The “Sport” trims on its various models are sort of neat, but the Magma brand looks like the real deal.

Subcompact Crossover Comparo Roundtable | Autoblog Podcast #599

This week, we've got a special episode of the Autoblog Podcast, wherein you'll hear the extended version of the roundtable discussion from our Subcompact Crossover Comparison. In it, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Consumer Editor Jeremy Korzeniewski, Senior Editor, Green, John Beltz Snyder and Associate Editor Joel Stocksdale. After extensive testing (and filming) in Northern Michigan, our editors break down what they liked and loathed about the Honda HR-V, Hyundai Kona, Jeep Renegade and Kia Soul. Grab a cup of coffee with us, and enjoy. Autoblog Podcast #599 Get The Podcast iTunes – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on iTunes Related Video: