Is this the 2013 Kia Forte?

A set of leaked images may have revealed Kia's 2013 Forte sedan.

The Kia Forte is a relativity new entrant in the compact segment - having launched in 2009 - but the Korean automaker reportedly has some big plans for the small car within the next couple of years.

Fan site Kia-World.net has posted images of what it claims to be the next-generation Forte sedan. The all-new four-door will reportedly hit the market sometime in 2013.

Although no technical details were released, the leaked images reveal a much more sculpted Forte sedan, with an overall design more in-line with the larger Optima sedan. The 2013 Forte also looks to borrow some design cues from the Kia GT concept, especially in the C-pillar area.

It remains to be seen if this leaked images are the real deal, but we could certainly see this vehicle fitting in with Kia's future product line. The Hyundai Elantra has proven that the automaker isn't afraid to take chances in the typically conservative compact segment, and the 2013 Forte's up-scale styling could prove to be a home run.

We can't see the Forte's interior and we aren't entirely sure what we'll find under its hood, but a small displacement turbocharged four-cylinder capable of hitting more than 40 mpg on the highway seems a given. The most miserly Forte currently on offer is the 37 mpg Eco, a model that has been eclipsed by fuel sippers from Chevrolet, Ford and especially Kia's sibling Hyundai.

And it is Hyundai that will provide Kia with an updated platform for the next-generation Forte. Look for the 2011 Elantra's multilink rear suspension to finally make an appearance on the Forte, which currently makes due with a less sophisticated torsion-beam setup.

Check back for more info on the 2013 Kia Forte in the coming months.

References
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