2012 Kia Rio first view

The current Kia Rio is inoffensive but nondescript. It’s the kind of vehicle that usually goes unnoticed or, if by chance it is, gets instantly forgotten.

Even Kia seems to have realised this, and so it’s stressing the bold styling of the next-generation Rio, which will be unveiled at next month’s Geneva International Motor Show. Soon-Nam Lee, Director of Overseas Marketing, Kia Motors Corporation, said: ‘This new model is a big step forward. The Rio has always been successful, and with this new incarnation we have a car which is extremely attractive, that people will want to buy for its looks.’


And the new model certainly looks infinitely more striking than its predecessor, even if Kia’s assertion that the Rio ‘combines European finesse with Korean spice to create a form language that communicates Latin flair’ is probably stretching the hyperbole a bit too far.

The changes in dimensions convey the new Rio’s enhanced proportions and stance. Its wheelbase has grown by 70 mm to 2,570 mm, but the overall length has only increased by 55 mm; width has expanded by 25 mm, yet the car sits 15 mm lower.

Kia is promising fuel efficiency and low emissions from the Rio’s engines. The full line-up is still to be confirmed, but it will include a 1.2 litre turbo Gasoline Direct Injection unit and a 69 bhp (51 kW / 70 PS) 1.1 litre diesel that could produce as little as 85 g/km of CO2.

Available initially in five-door hatchback guise, a three-door will follow soon after for European markets. In other territories, a saloon version with a 390 litre luggage capacity will be offered.

Related post:
2012 Kia Picanto revealed

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