Kia has unveiled the new version of the Rio light car in Detroit. Bigger, longer and more powerful than the current version, the Rio is expected in South Africa by the middle of the year.
Kia has unveiled the new version of the Rio light car in Detroit. Bigger, longer and more powerful than the current version, the Rio is expected in South Africa by the middle of the year.
Built on a new platform with a longer wheelbase (2 500 mm), the new Kia also has an increased overall width (now 1 694 mm) and height (1 470 mm) compared with its predecessor. In addition to the bigger cabin, the saloon’s boot space has increased to 337 dm3, which is 29 per cent greater than that of the current Rio.
Speaking to CARtoday.com on Wednesday, Kia Motor SA spokeswoman Michaela Pazdera confirmed that the new Rio would be introduced to the South African market around mid-year, and although pricing was yet to be finalised, the Edenvale-based company would initially launch a 1,3-litre entry-level version “as close to the current model’s price as possible”.
The new Rio’s exterior is altogether more athletic and European-like in its design. The front of the car has a sporty black mesh grille, swept-back headlamps, and bumpers with black inserts. Black side mouldings run the length of both doors, and ties-in with the sculpted arches of the widened bumpers.
The models shown at Detroit had six airbags, including advanced dual front and seat-mounted side airbags, and full-length side curtain airbags. Sensors controlling the full supplemental restraint system (SRS) determine the position of the seat, whether or not the seatbelt is buckled, whether the front passenger seat is occupied, and the severity of impact before deploying the airbags.
Additional safety features include front seatbelt pre-tensioners and force limiters, three-point seatbelts for all five seating positions, and child safety seat anchors in the rear seat. ABS brakes with discs on all wheels are optional.
The flagship model of the range, which will be added to South African line-up at a later stage, has a 1,6-litre d-o-h-c engine with variable valve timing, and produces maximum power of 82 kW and 145 N.m of torque.
The latest Rio rides on an independent front suspension and semi-independent rear suspension. The layout uses MacPherson struts in front, and a torsion beam axle with coil springs at the rear. Front and rear anti-roll bars are standard.
In the United States, the four-door Rio is available in two trim levels: Base and LX, but South African versions will have European market specifications, Pazdera told CARtoday.com.
Standard features will include an eight-way manually adjustable driver’s seat, rear window defroster, variable intermittent windscreen wipers, and colour-coded mirrors. Some derivatives will be offered with full wheel covers, air-conditioning, AM/FM/CD audio system with four speakers, 60:40 split folding rear seatback, power steering, and a height-adjustable steering column.
Other luxury items such as electric windows, central locking, remote keyless entry, heated outside mirrors, front door-mounted tweeter speakers, and a dual maplight console with sunglasses holder, will be optional on certain models.
