First design sketches of new compact Kia SUV unveiled

Kia has released design sketches and a name for its upcoming small SUV.

The Stonic will be based on the Rio supermini and will take aim at the successful Nissan Juke.

Closely related to the upcoming Hyundai Kona small SUV, the Stonic is due to be revealed at the Frankfurt motor show in September.

It will go on sale in October, with prices and specs to be confirmed nearer the time. It’s tipped to share engines with the Rio family hatchback, given that the two cars use the same platform.

This means 1.0-litre three-cylinder, 1.25-litre and 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engines, and a 1.4-litre diesel for higher-end cars, and specs ranging from entry-level 1 to range-topping 3 and GT-Line cars.

Kia claims the Stonic offers a level of customisation options unprecedented on any of their models before it, on both the interior and exterior.

Design sketches released by Kia reveal the car’s chunky, Rio-inspired look and intricate rear light clusters.

It may be small but Kia promises great packaging for all occupants, while up front there’s a “floating” screen that allows smartphone accessibility etc. No pictures of the inside have yet been revealed, so we’ll just have to wait.

The front end design looks radically different from the new Sportage and perhaps suggests the South Korean brand is headed in a new design direction. We’ll have to wait and see the production version to know for sure.

In other news, the Land Rover Experience at Dunkeld is holding a Father’s Day Trek on Sunday June 18.

Bring your own vehicle for £150 or for £525 hire a Land Rover Experience car and instructor.

Taking place in the beautiful Perthshire countryside, the day covers inclines, descents, water, low traction surfaces, rock crawls, bridge crossings and wheel articulation sections.

For more, visit www. scotlandlandroverexperience.co.uk.

The Kia Stonic will be unveiled in September and goes on sale in October.