The 2010 Kia Spectra is new from the ground up. The five-door model will be discontinued and a coupe will be introduced about two months after the sedan. The sedan will be powered by a 2.4L, DOHC four with an estimated 162 hp and 164 lb-ft of torque (estimates are based on the previous-gen Optima engine, which is said to power the upcoming Spectra).
The car itself benefits from a dramatic redesign and is an inch longer, 1.6 in. wider, and nearly a half inch lower than the current Spectra. Its structure uses 63% more high-strength steel than the current model. Kia also moved the wheels closer to the corners -- track width increased by 2.4 in. in front and 3.1 in the rear.
The engine upgrade adds 24 hp and 28 lb-ft of torque, a difference noticeable even in our extremely brief time behind the wheel. Kia is putting more of an emphasis on sportiness with this car than ever before, and the coupe is likely to be the sportier of the two, with the strong possibility of a larger engine than the sedan's inline-four. (The coupe will strongly resemble the Koup concept revealed at the New York auto show.)
Kia says the new vehicle is such a dramatic departure from the previous-gen Spectra that it may make more sense to rename it. They're considering three names -- Forte (current Spectra name in Korea), Cerato (Spectra's name outside of Korea and North America), and Spectra. As of right now, Forte appears to be the frontrunner (which, of course, could change).
Source: Motor Trend
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