Today we have a new set of spy pictures of the 2022 Forte sedan (K3) facelift thanks to our colleagues at AutoPost. Despite is covered by camouflage, we can see that will be inspired by the K5 and it is expected that refreshed Forte (that could change its name to K3 in the US-market) start of production begin in May.
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What we know so far?
We recently tested the most powerful Kia Forte, the GT trim with its 204 hp engine and 7-speed DCT (you can check the review here) and Kia could be hurrying up to release a facelift of the K3 in order to compete against Avante/Elantra success in South Korea.
As on the original post, we shared the very first spy pictures of the Forte facelift, but it was pretty difficult to see something under the heavy camouflage (also the pics were not the best ones) we cannot say to much about what changes will have, but like with the i30 facelift or CEED MY2021, we can expect the arrival of new engines, like the 1.5 T-GDi or the new CVVD 1.6 Turbo while we also dream about a more powerful GT version.
We are sure Kia will also add its innovative IMT transmission, the ‘clutch-by-wire’ intelligent manual transmission which already has two variants, one with a clutch pedal and one without it.
Non full-LED equipped K3’s will keep almost the same LED DRL signature, despite having projectores and regular indicators
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It is pretty difficult to see what’s under the heavy camouflage, but these new pictures allow us to see the first changes. The front has now a new headlights and a new grille too that still has red accents like the current GT version, but with a different design. There are also a new 17″ wheel design and the graphics of the rear taillights are also new.
The Forte should receive latest safety pack, as well as new Infotainment system, moving from original 8 inch to 10,25 inch and also adding a digital gauge cluster (the 3rd gen CEED which is parent of this K3/Forte already had it since the 2021 model year).
We recently shared Kia’s new logo timeline, and the launch of the refreshed K3 that will come with the new logo is set for May. Recently Artur Martins, Head of Global Brand & Customer Experience, confirmed that Kia models in the US-market will use their global names as part of a new strategy, so we can expect a rebranding for the Forte to K3.
