2019 Kia Forte Stung With Stinger Style in Pre-Detroit Peek

CARS.COM — Teaser renderings of the redesigned 2019 Kia Forte, to be unveiled at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, show a new compact sedan that looks stung with styling cues from Kia's hot new Stinger sports hatchback. The third-generation Forte appears to be moving in a sportier direction, with a Stinger-like fastback look replacing the boxier current design and a stretched, coupelike roofline. But the design also looks a lot more grown-up and upscale, with hints of the current Kia Optima mid-size sedan, the better to compete with more upscale-looking rivals, such as the redesigned Honda Civic.

The front end is more aggressive, with sharp creases in the hood, large lower vents, stretched headlights and a sturdy new version of the Kia "tiger nose" grille. The rear shows a similar wide, low design for the bumper and deep sculpting. The side character line extends into the LED taillights and across the trunk lid, adding to the wide look.

The interior image shows a cleaner, horizontal design for the dash that appears more elegant and roomier. The touchscreen display sits tablet-style above the dash, but it appears to keep real volume and tuning knobs (thank you for that, Kia). Climate vents at the corners echo the spoked circles from the Stinger dash.

No further details were released, but the third-generation Forte compact is mechanically related to the corporate-cousin Hyundai Elantra that got a full redesign, as well as more upscale styling and interior, for the 2017 model year. The latest-generation Elantra lost its coupe version but got powertrain upgrades and a new, more powerful Sport model.

The new Forte will make its debut Jan. 15 at the 2018 Detroit auto show — and we'll be there, so check back here for full coverage straight from the exhibit floor.

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