Covers off Kia’s flash 2017 Rio
The covers have come off Kia’s all-new Rio hatchback a month before its official debut at the 2016 Paris motor show.
The South Korean brand has released a series of official images and limited information on its fourth-generation small car just days after issuing a teaser sketch.
The Rio’s sharp exterior design is highlighted by a slimmer and wider ‘‘Tiger Nose’’ grille (a signature that was first seen on the Sportage SUV and likely to be a common element on all future Kia models).
It has complex bi-modal headlights with integrated U-shaped LED driving lamps at the front, new-look LED tail lights at the rear as well as taut body panels and an overall stance similar to Audi’s A3, which is not surprising given the Rio was jointly styled in its German and California design centres in collaboration with its headquarters in Namyang, South Korea.
While the new design hides it well, the fourthgeneration Rio is physically larger than the car it replaces, measuring 4065mm in overall length, 1725mm in width and riding on a wheelbase of 2580mm - increases of 15mm, 5mm and 10mm respectively - all of which create more interior space.
Among the images, Kia has also revealed the Rio’s heavily updated cabin which again mimics some elements familiar to Audi, such as the floating tablet style multi-media system in the centre of the dash and the main controls angled slightly towards the driver.
Although Kia has yet to reveal details on the model grades that will be available when it arrives in local showrooms early next year, it has confirmed that it is available with a choice of black or grey cloth seat trim, or black or grey artificial leather in higher grade models.
An optional ‘Red Pack’ is aimed at sprucing up the cabin and appeal to younger buyers with with red artificial leather-trimmed seats.
Mechanical details for the Rio are expected to be confirmed at the Paris motor show on September 29, with the likelihood it will feature a more fuel efficient turbo charged engine hooked-up to a dual-clutch transmission in top grade variants.