Substance and sportiness. The new Kia Rio enters the fray today with these two main labels. Thanks to the joint work of the Kia style centres in Germany, California and Korea the interior and exterior design of the Rio is different and improved compared to the previous generation. “We have focused on an emotional design, to target both younger customers and those who are attentive to car aesthetics, but who do not want to give up on the reliability and concreteness of our cars,” said Rocco Scocozza, marketing Pr Director of Kia Motors.
The front of the Rio is dominated by the tiger nose, which carries forward the family feeling of the Korean brand’s most recent cars, and transmits that feeling of sportiness sought by the designers, which is useful when targeting a younger audience. The profile of the car is characterised by a belt line stretching to the rear, where the short overhang accentuates the dynamism. As on the exterior, taut lines mark the layout of the dash, giving a further feeling of width and roominess to the cabin. The 5- or 7-inch infotainment display, resting on the console, stands out in the centre. The climate controls are below the screen. A rational layout, therefore, but effective.
The new Kia Rio comes with two petrol engines and one diesel. A 1.0 T-GDI delivering 100 bhp and an 84 bhp 1.2 petrol. The diesel engine has a capacity of 1.4 and the choice can vary between two power outputs, 77 or 90 horsepower. In a few months there will be a GPL version of the 1.2 petrol, and a more powerful version of the 1.0 T-GDI.
