Sporty makeover for all-new Kia Rio
■ Wraps off lower, wider new supermini ahead of Paris bow
AFTER releasing design sketches last week (Issue 1,437), Kia has revealed official images of the all-new Rio supermini ahead of its debut at the Paris Motor Show later this month. The new Ford Fiesta rival is longer, lower and wider than the car it replaces, and will go on sale towards the end of the year, priced from around £11,000.
The overall design isn’t a radical departure from the look of the outgoing Rio, but the new model has visibly smoother surfaces. Kia’s trademark ‘tiger nose’ grille is thinner and shorter, and joins into a set of reshaped headlamps, which also feature a new U-shaped LED lighting signature.
Changes are less evident at the back, but new tail-lights feature an arrow-shaped LED signature. The rear overhang is shorter, while the more upright rear windscreen gives an increased sense of size.
The supermini has increased in length by 15mm to 4,065mm, while the wheelbase has also been stretched by 10mm, meaning more space for passengers, plus a bigger boot, too. The Rio is 5mm lower than before, but 5mm wider, giving the car a sportier look.
These increased proportions are down to a new platform beneath the skin – the same basic architecture will underpin a Rio-based SUV rival to the Nissan Juke, due next year.
Inside, the Rio features a more modern and simplified dash design. The biggest change is the introduction of a new ‘floating’ touchscreen infotainment system, which has allowed Kia to reduce the number of buttons on the centre console. The brand will announce the engine line-up at Paris, but we can expect the current crop of petrol and diesel engines to be carried over. These are likely to be boosted by the addition to the range of a new 120bhp 1.0-litre threecylinder turbo from the Cee’d hatchback.
Official pricing and spec is yet to be revealed, but a small price hike across the range is expected. This increase should be offset by a more generous standard kit list.