Kia Unveils Forte Koup Type R: SEMA 2010

Following a fairly successful inaugural season competing in the Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge series, Kia unveiled the Forte Koup Type R Concept at the 2010 SEMA show in Las Vegas on Tuesday. Kinetic Motorsports, which built and campaigned two Forte Koup race cars in the Continental Tire series, also developed the Type R Concept.

Visually, the car receives wider front fenders and rear quarter panels, front lip, side sills with rear arch flares and is painted in a flat dark shadow gray metallic color. The car rolls on 18-inch forged BBS wheels wrapped with Continental Conti Sport DWS tires. Additional handling improvements come from Kinetic performance springs, Kinetic custom limited-slip differential and strut tower brace.

Minor drivetrain modifications include an upgraded clutch, lightweight flywheel and underdrive engine pulley system. A custom Kinetic exhaust and K&N air filter is also installed. To up stopping power, Alcon four-piston brake calipers are fitted at all four corners.

The custom interior has green contrast stitching in a diamond pattern, short throw shifter with Kinetic shift knob and a 1,200-watt Infinity sound system.

According to a Kinetic spokesman, a line of performance parts has been developed and is ready to be produced for the Forte Koup as soon as Kia gives the the green light for production.

Kia also used SEMA to officially announce that it will also return to the track in 2011 for a sophomore campaign in the Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge series with the Forte Koup.