Hyundai Motors affiliate Kia has launched its fully redesigned Rio five-door hatchback at the Geneva motor show. The company said this variant was “created especially with European consumers in mind” – the four-door sedan, which will also be sold in some European markets, was launched at the Detroit Motor Show last January.
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The five-door hatchback will be built at the South Korean manufacturer’s new European factory in Slovakia from next year, and will be launched in Europe in May or June with right hand drive vehicles arriving in the UK in July or August.
The Rio will be sold only as a five-door hatchback in the UK, however.
Although Kia has retained the old name, the new Rio is completely redesigned from the ground up to challenge established B-segment rivals in the highly competitive European market.
In Europe, Kia distributors will choose from a line-up of 20 models with a three year unlimited distance warranty. Apart from two body styles, the choice includes three engines (including a new 1.5-litre turbo diesel), manual or automatic transmission, two equipment levels (LX and EX), an extensive range of options and a selection of option packs.
Taller (+50 mm), wider (+15 mm) and shorter (-250 mm in five-door form) than the model it replaces, the new Rio has a longer wheelbase (+90 mm) and much improved packaging to offer what Kia claims is “significantly more cabin space than its predecessor and more than most rivals”.
Key interior dimensions have been increased by between 2mm and 83mm, even though the new five-door model is 250 mm shorter than the vehicle it replaces.
The three engines are either new or fully-revised. The new 1.5 CRDi diesel engine features common-rail technology and a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT). It produces 110 ps, and 22.0 kgm of torque at 2,000 rpm. It has a CO2 rating of 116 g/km and meets Euro 4 emissions rules.
Two 16-valve petrol engines are available. The 1.6 has continuously variable valve timing (CVVT) and produces 112 ps at 6,000rpm and 14.9kgm of torque at 4,500 rpm. The new 1.4-litre engine is making its world debut in Rio hatchback. This unit produces 97ps at 6,000 rpm and 12.8kgm of torque at 4,700 rpm.
Four-channel ABS is standard fit for all models in Western Europe [it is now compulsory under EU rules] and includes electronic brake force distribution (EBD).
Other safety items include dual front airbags, while side airbags, curtain airbags and ‘active’ head restraints are available.
The higher-specification EX model has central locking, front and rear electric windows, height-adjustable driver´s seat with armrest and body colour door mirrors and door handles. Packaged options include Metal Grain, Chrome Pack, Power Pack, Colour Pack, Leather Pack and Sporty Pack.
The latest Rio model will contest the hugely popular B-segment, the largest segment of the European market, and the most popular sub-section within it – five-door hatchbacks – which claimed a 48% segment share in 2004.
Kia aims to sell 35,000 units during the model’s first year in Europe.
New Rio sedan previews Kia European product
