Photo Gallery: 2012 Kia Rio (UK)

Kia has released new photos and a video of the new Rio. Riocentres on the Hyundai i20, but unlike thei20, the Riofeatures eye-catching style and was designed at Kia's European design studio in Germany, under the firm's design executive, Peter Schreyer.

"The Kia Rio has always been successful, and with this new incarnation we have a car which is extremely attractive with a fresh feeling of sportiness - a car that people will want to buy for its looks, as well as its environmental credentials" comments Benny Oeyen, Vice President Marketing and Product Planning, Kia Motors Europe.

Since its launch in 2005, global sales of the third-generation Kia Rio have totalled in excess of 860,000 units. It was the company's third best-selling vehicle in overseas markets during 2010 with sales of more than 219,000 units.

Defined by large headlights, mean lower fog lamp surrounds, and the trademark “tiger” grille, the Rio is longer (by 20mm), wider (by 25mm), but lower (by 15mm) than the outgoing model while also being lighter. The wheelbase is extended by 70mm, to 2,570mm to enhance passenger space and cargo capacity. With an overall height of 1,455mm, the Rio is one of the lowest cars in Kia's European product range. Luggage capacity is now rated at 288 litres, however, 60/40 split folding rear seats will allow for more space.

The interior was designed by the company's Californian design studio in the U.S. Two interior combinations will be offered; Cognac Brown or Desert Grey, with the UK receiving the latter. Externally, 10 new colours will be made available including Wendy Brown and a Graphite Grey, both colours with a “classic premium flavour”, according to Kia.

Optional and standard equipment will include keyless entry w/push-button start, RDS radio/CD player w/MP3 compatibility, AUX, iPod and USB connections, Bluetooth w/voice recognition, cruise control, climate-control air-conditioning, hill-start assist, tyre pressure monitoring system, cornering fog lamps, xenon headlights w/LED day-time running lights, adjustable speed limiter, x6 airbags, rear parking sensors, active front headrests, ESP, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. In some markets, the dashboard will come pre-wired to accept an optional portable navigation system.

Because the outgoing Rio's engine line-up isn't Euro5 compliant, the engine will be completely revised. Four engines; two petrols and two 'U2' diesels will be provided, developing between 69bhp - 108bhp (70PS – 109PS/51kW - 80kW). They'll sport three and four cylinders with the cleanest 1.1 CRDi diesel emitting a mere 85g/km and returning 88mpg (3.2l/100km) combined.

An entry-level 84bhp (85PS/63kW) 1.25 litre 'Kappa' will be linked to a 5-speed manual gearbox and develop 118Nm (87lb-ft) of torque, while a more powerful 1.4 litre 'Gamma' will produce 108bhp (109PS/80kW) and 136Nm (100lb-ft) of torque. This has a top speed of 112mph (180km/h) and will complete the 0-62mph (100km/h) sprint in 11.5 seconds. The former returns 59mpg (4.8l/100km) and is hooked up to a 6 speed manual. A 4-speed automatic will be offered optionally.

The base 1.1 CRDi kicks out 162Nm (119lb-ft) of torque, while producing 69bhp (70PS/51kW). The bigger 1.4 CRDi produces 89bhp (90PS/66kW) and 216Nm (159lb-ft) of torque. These will be mated to a 6 speed manual.

Regular Rio models will have a CO2 rating of 94g to 124g/km. In Europe, these figures can be further reduced by specifying Kia's optional fuel-stretching ISG technologies (automatic stop-start, advanced alternator control, upgraded starter motor and low-rolling resistance tyres) - available on all models.

Equipped with ISG, the Rio's emissions will range from 85g to 114g/km, so the two diesel models (under 100g/km) qualify for local emissions-based tax savings, where available. For these models, fuel economy will range from 88mpg - 59mpg (3.2l/100km – 4.8l/100km), contributing to lower running costs.

The 5 door Rio will be on sale in the UK from the 1st September and a 3 door will be available from early 2012. Pricing and full range details will be announced nearer the on-sale date.

Video:

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All-new Kia Picanto, Rio and Optima granted ISO 14040 status

Kia Motors Corporation telah dianugerahi tiga sertifikat lingkungan oleh TÜV Nord, sebuah organisasi inspeksi independen teknis, dalam pengakuan eco-credentials yang kuat dari tiga model terbaru.

Emisi rendah baru Kia Picanto, Rio dan Optima, dan proses manufaktur canggih yang digunakan dalam produksi mereka, mengakibatkan ketiga model yang bersertifikat sesuai dengan ISO 14040 Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). 

Pemeriksaan LCA mengkaji dampak lingkungan dari kedua mobil dan proses manufaktur secara keseluruhan sepanjang perjalanan seumur hidup, dengan mempertimbangkan faktor-faktor seperti pilihan material, emisi mesin dan daur ulang.

Benny Oeyen, Wakil Presiden Pemasaran dan Perencanaan Produk, berkomentar: "Kia model terus menerima pengakuan dari berbagai organisasi industri yang independen di seluruh dunia - untuk kualitas dan efisiensi metode produksi mereka, untuk mencapai tingkat keamanan tertinggi dan untuk mereka striking design. 

"Kia sangat berkomitmen untuk meminimalkan dampak kendaraan 'pada lingkungan, dan kehormatan yang terbaru berikut akreditasi yang serupa untuk Sportage baru " for our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Zilina," menyimpulkan Oeyen.

Semua tiga dari model Kia terakreditasi bulan ini menawarkan biaya berjalan kompetitif, dan, dalam kasus hatchback semua-baru B-segmen Rio, output CO2 terendah (dari hanya 85 g / km) dari setiap mobil mesin pembakaran internal saat ini dijual di Eropa - termasuk Hibrida. 

All new Picanto mulai dijual di Inggris pada bulan Juni sementara Rio baru akan mulai dijual dari 1 September dengan sedan D-segmen baru Optima berikut pada akhir tahun.

Kia's manufacturing facility in Zilina, Slovakia was certified in 2008 as an 'environmentally-friendly' facility, earning an ISO 14001 International Certificate of Environmental Management. The plant employs cutting-edge technology to ensure that production and waste-management have a minimal impact on the environment. The Kia Sportage compact SUV, which is manufactured at Zilina as well as in Korea, was also awarded LCA status by TÜV Nord in 2010. 

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Breaking Kia’s Design Code: The Rio Design Story (Exterior)

October 18th, 2011 Posted in Design,Kia Vehicles   

• By Kia Design Center

How do you define a design? Is it a shape? A color? Or a form? Team Kia believes design is more than just visible elements. It is a subtle language which is spoken through a car, which you perceive not only with your eyes, but also with your other senses. It is a combination of everything you feel, touch, see and hear. The language of design should also contain a hint of the company’s philosophy and beliefs, but more importantly, it’s the passion that stands out from competitors. All of this was required when numerous engineers, project managers and designers from centers in Europe, North America and Korea put their heads together to create the all-new Kia Rio, a car that continues to fascinate its producers as it makes bold ventures into the automobile world.

Defining New Luxury

Can compact cars be luxurious? It was a simple question, but a daunting task for Kia designers who wanted to change the perception that compact cars meant only “small” and “practical.” New challenges required a new way of thinking. The developers involved with Rio were members who participated in the development of medium to large sized sedans or luxury models to ensure that they wouldn’t be entrapped by their concept of what a ‘compact car’ should be like.

The result was a new way of looking at what compact cars should offer, such as wide space to provide comfort to drivers and passengers. There are now features and functions that were unavailable to drivers before in sub-compact car segment, such as LED headlight lamps, a cooling internal compartment box, a seven-inch navigation system, a rear-view camera and much more. All of these aspects make the Rio a new luxurious, affordable vehicle that transcends its deceptively small size.

Simply a Beauty, Inside and Out

Before setting out to design the Rio, designers did their research. Months of market research and passenger preference tests were done in Europe and North America, targeted toward young drivers in their 20s and 30s. The results showed that this segment of drivers is attracted to economy, fuel efficiency, dynamic style and sporty design.

So it is no surprise that designers came up with two important words that were essential in attaining their goals: “modern” and “youthful.” Basic straight lines were used to emphasize a clean and modern look. Curves and volumes were used to give a youthful and dynamic look to the car. At the front, the intake grille and fog lamp graphics were expanded to establish a more confident and sporty image of the car while maintaining the design identity of Kia’s tiger nose grille. The eyes of the car, or the head lamps, are literally eye-catching. Both projection low beam and LED daytime running lamps are incorporated into the head lamps, capturing high-tech images and a forward-looking stance.

The Rio’s side profile is also the result of considerable deliberation among designers. Designers really wanted Rio to exude sportiness, so they added a dynamic window graphic with a cab-forward style and a black glass slant that continues from the front hood of the car.

We will come back next week with the All-new Rio design story-Interior. Stay tuned!