2011 Naza-Kia Forte 2.0 tested

It has often been published that the Koreans are in a – vastly improved – league of their own with their newer generation automobiles for this new decade. Cheap (in relative terms, of course) doesn‘t mean nasty and low rent anymore. While some may loath at the very sight of a Korean automotive badge, there is no denying that the prime example that you see above has a lot more to offer under its sleeve. Especially in its upgraded form which has been available in our Malaysian market since early this year (2011).


I could still vividly remember how much likeable the Forte 1.6 EX/SX was in 2010 when I reviewed these lesser versions. Even the larger capacity 2.0SX paled quite miserably with its lifeless steering with a bubble-gummy feel just off-centre, being an electric-powered assisted rack. In the meantime, the 4-speed A/T was not geared to appreciably harness the added flexibility of a 2.0L lump.
Fast forward to the 2011 Forte 2.0 – with 6A/T – these bugbears are gone, especially the synthetic-feel steering. In fact, it’s well weighted and tied down now, though a tad “artificially coloured” it may seem but heck, it’s a vast improvement. It even hints you of that “Zoom Zoom” feedback or that premium “The Power of Dreams” feel.
At highway speed, tracking corners seem more brilliant with the suspension just nicely damped with incisive suspension rebound i.e. taut body control. No wallow, no pitching. Acceptable body roll should you gun it into bends. High speed stability around its tested Vmax of 200km/h was let’s say, comforting, cosseting and confident. Wind noise and road noise level remained impressive for its class at that ‘lofty’ velocity as well.

Tractability going about in town or suburb traffic is much improved with the new 6-speeder while the implanted rear-view camera display proved more than just a gimmick. Though the display image was a wee bit constrained by the height of the central rear-view mirror dimension, it worked perfectly well for all the reversed parking I managed to execute.


However, all isn’t rosy from this Korean camp C-segment offspring. For one, I fail to understand why there is the lack of external boot release handle/rubber-strip switch at the rear – usually recessed in the rear number plate upper frame/garnish. You simply must press the button on the remote fob, how so inconvenient for a key/fob-less entry enabled car! Or you must tug the boot release lever on the floor carpet below and to the right of the driver’s seat. The other sore (eye) point is why their generic-looking engine cover(s) do not seem to greet you “Annyeonghaseyo” as friendly the others say “Konichiwa” or “Guten Tag”, just to name a couple of established examples.
I do have to apologise for not observing its fuel economy (trip computer was displaying 12.0l to 13.0l/100km mostly!). In the new Forte 2.0, most of the time I was having fun stretching its legs on almost every trip out in this “budget” 2.0-litre sedan, which is convincingly far from looking, feeling or driving budget-y in nature.

Posts Related to 2011 Naza-Kia Forte 2.0 tested

• Hyundai Tiburon Review

  2008 Hyundai Tiburon SE Hatchback Shown When it was introduced to the North American market in 1997, the Hyundai Tiburon signified Hyundai's first commitment to ...

• Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Review

  2008 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL65 AMG Convertible Shown Easily one of the most recognizable automotive icons of the last half century, the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class has long ...

• Infiniti G35 Review

  2008 Infiniti G35 Sport Sedan Shown These days, we've come to expect a lot from Infiniti. But in years past, the Japanese luxury brand actually ...

• BMW Z4 Review

  2008 BMW Z4 3.0si Convertible Shown The BMW Z4 is one of the more intriguing sports cars currently available. It's known for its engaging handling ...

• Infiniti M45 Review

  2008 Infiniti M45 Sedan Though high-end vehicles now come in more shapes and sizes than ever, the midsize luxury sedan segment remains the heart of ...

Read More

Nissan Recovery Stories

At 2:46 in the afternoon on March 11, an unprecedented disaster struck Japan, claiming over 24,000 lives and threatening the safety and livelihoods of millions in the country.
For Nissan, some five staff and 17 family members perished in the devastating 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami, with more than 50 dealerships and parts suppliers damaged, as production across Japan shut down completely.
At the Yokohama headquarters, which felt the quake although 250 kms away, an Earthquake Crisis Committee of executives met within minutes, but the magnitude of destruction and potential impact on Japan and Nissan had no blueprint.
The response would test the resilience and imagination of company staff, with heroes emerging to help lead Nissan, its many customers and stakeholders to safer ground.
For Miyagi branch manager Hiroyuki Sato, who lost two staff and was himself listed among missing after the tsunami struck, a slow evacuation from the disaster zone gave insight into how great its impact.“I had seen the tsunami with my own eyes from the coastal town of Onagawa, and roads were now covered with debris and impassable. On the fourth or fifth day… I could finally contact the office by cell phone, and when my boss answered, he exclaimed: “You’re alive.” I apologized for worrying others, and then I contacted the dealer president and other executives to tell them that I had survived. I learned about the status of our customers, the dealership and the showroom.”
Amid the growing tragedy, commitment to those losing cars and family mobility remained top priority, while the company offered Nissan LEAFs and other vehicles to relief efforts.
Masaki Kobayashi, president of Nissan Prince Miyagi, said resources were deployed to deal with the crisis and help those most in need.“Miyagi Prefecture is very big and the area near the ocean felt the brunt of the tsunami, while other areas basically just endured the earthquake. We have 26 car outlets, and there was tremendous damage at five new and two used car outlets. We tried to get vehicles from centers like this to the coastal and damaged areas, while also looking to come up with a recovery plan, but at the same time, gasoline supplies became thin. Our customers and our own staff couldn’t drive around, and this went on for two weeks. It became very important to direct all company resources in the same direction.”
Slowly, vehicles made it to the disaster zone, while at the Iwaki factory in Fukushima, General Manager Nobuhiro Ozawa and team faced their own extensive structural damage.
Ozawa’s plant produces over 370,000 Nissan and Infiniti engines yearly, and Iwaki’s “Gambappe” recovery — even after a second quake struck in early April — became a symbol of Japan’s resilience amid the tragedy.“Everyone was safe — we were lucky. Our factory infrastructure, though, except for electricity, was completely down with damage very serious. Skylights, cables and apparatus hung from the rafters, and we really couldn’t enter the factory immediately. We thought it would take a very long time to recover.“
That moment came mid-May, marked by a return Iwaki visit by CEO Carlos Ghosn.
However, Nissan’s parts and car pipeline had faced an equal test after the earthquake.
A huge vessel with 600 Nissan LEAFs left Yokohama just before disaster struck, but Japanese ports and highways were then closed, with cars and auto parts for export or transfer destined to sit without resourceful action.
At the logistics centers of Honmoku, Kyushu, Aichi and Fuji, which see 400 container shipments daily, the lockdown of the supply pipeline became General Manager Kiyoshi Onoe’s problem to solve.
After immediately ensuring his team and facilities were safe, a comeback strategy was mapped out.
“After the earthquake, we really focused on reviving operations, knowing we couldn’t do it by ourself. It required huge support from many, but two key factors emerged: Colleagues from 10 overseas factories came to Honmoku — not to obtain their own car parts, but instead to sort out worldwide factory allocation and to share existing supply, thus prioritizing market needs. These factories had stopped overtime and weekend work, so that helped in our resume shipments without confusion. The other key was staff at Honmoku, Kyushu, Aichi and Fuji never gave up in trying to ship parts and reopen the pipeline. That was the biggest factor in recovery.”
Today, Honmoku and other Nissan wharfs, factories and dealerships are now back on-line through the overwhelming team response to the crisis. Still, the impact of that day in March will be felt for years, although Nissan can look back on its staff’s heroic response to the greatest natural disaster in Japanese history and know its people stood tall.

Read More

2012 Dodge Charger Pursuit Records Fastest-Ever Lap Time at Michigan Evaluation Test

The ongoing bragging war among Detroit’s big three and their newly launched police vehicles continues without an end in sight.
Today, the Chrysler Group announced that the 2012 Dodge Charger Pursuit V8 with 370HP set the fastest lap time ever reordered at Michigan State Police’s (MSP) annual Police Vehicle Evaluation tests earlier this week at the Grattan Raceway in Belding, at 1:33.70.
Chrysler added that Hemi V8 Charger Pursuit also leads the sedan segment (namely GM’s Chevrolet Caprice PPV and the Ford Taurus Interceptor) in terms of pure acceleration with the fastest 0-to-60mph (96km/h) and 0-to-100mph (160km/h) time:

• 0-to-60 mph (5.83 sec)
• 0-to-70 mph (7.38 sec)
• 0-to-80 mph (9.18 sec)
• 0-to-90 mph (11.43 sec)
• 0-to-100 mph (13.65 sec)

The Detroit maker was also quick to point out that 292 horsepower Charger Pursuit V6 models averaged the fastest times for naturally aspirated (1:37.71) and E-85 capable(1:37.57) six-cylinder police cars with four wheels, seats and a steering wheel.
“Achieving the fastest-ever lap time at the Michigan State Police’s annual Police Vehicle Evaluation test reflects the mission of the Dodge Charger Pursuit Team to equip our law enforcement officials with the absolute best combination of vehicle performance and tactical equipment,” said Peter Grady, Vice President of Network Development and Fleet, Chrysler Group LLC.
“Even more impressive is that all four Michigan State Police Vehicle Test Team drivers averaged their fastest times in the Charger Pursuit – reinforcing the driver confidence provided when world-class acceleration, braking, handling and dynamics are combined.”

PHOTO GALLERY

Posts Related to 2012 Dodge Charger Pursuit Records Fastest-Ever Lap Time at Michigan Evaluation Test

• 2006 Dodge Charger Police Vehicle

  2006 Dodge Charger Police Vehicle2006 Dodge Charger Police Vehicle2006 Dodge Charger Police Vehicle

• Dodge offers sneak peek at 2011 Mopar Charger

  The 2010 Mopar Challenger arrived last summer to a hero’s welcome. Chrysler only offered 500 copies of the special edition Mopar model, which carried a base ...

• Dodge Charger Review

  Popularized by NASCAR dominance and later a hokey TV show, the Dodge Charger is one of America's most revered performance nameplates. Originally an icon of ...

• 1959 Dodge Coronet Police Vehicle

  1959 Dodge Coronet Police Vehicle

• 1999 Dodge Charger RT Concept Vehicle

  1999 Dodge Charger RT Concept Vehicle1999 Dodge Charger RT Concept Vehicle1999 Dodge Charger RT Concept Vehicle1999 Dodge Charger RT Concept Vehicle1999 Dodge Charger RT Concept ...

Read More