While Korea’s 2019
K3 sedan and North America’s Forte look pretty much the same, Chinese buyers
will get Kia’s sedan with a much bolder look.
China’s Ministry of
Industry and Information Technology has released the first photos of the
upcoming Kia K3 sedan for the local market, revealing significant design
changes compared to the model sold overseas.
We’ve couldn’t help but notice the big front
grille which kinda looks like Maserati’s signature item, especially with the
vertical slats. The headlights are also different from the US-spec
Forte/Korean-spec K3, adopting a longer, sleeker shape. The front
bumper is changed as well and looks sharper and more aggressive.
From the sides, the
car looks pretty much the same as the Korean and North American models, but the
rear end brings additional changes. The bumper has a different design and the
taillights adopt a distinct signature despite retaining the same shape. As for
the interior design, there won’t be any significant changes compared to the K3
sold in other markets.
By now you probably
have noticed the blue accents at the lower end of the bumpers, which serve to
identify the plug-in hybrid version. That’s right, China will get a K3 PHEV
equipped with a 105 PS 1.6-liter engine and an electric motor. No
additional details are available, but it might be the same plug-in hybrid
system used in the Niro PHEV.
Regular models will
offer the choice of a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated gasoline unit making 115 PS and a 1.4-liter turbo-four rated at 130 PS. The all-new Kia
K3 sedan will debut at the Auto China 2019 in Shanghai and will go on sale in
June in the world’s largest car market. The compact sedan will be built locally
by the Dongfeng Yueda Kia joint venture.
