New generation for the Kia Rio

Unveiled at the recent Geneva Motor Show, the new Kia Rio aims to compete with Ford, Renault and other established firms in the hotly-contested supermini sector. This car, the third generation of Rio offered by the Korean firm, offers a radical departure from those before it; with increased length, width and wheelbase dimensions bringing a boost to both interior space and handling stability.

The new car is based on the platform of another accomplished Korean, the Hyundai i20, whilst exterior design has been handled by Kia’s European design studio. The car itself boasts many trademark Kia cues, such as the ‘bowtie’ grille and prominent headlights, whilst also displaying a strong European influence – particularly in the prominent Ford Mondeo-style brake lights.

The interior, meanwhile, was designed by Kia’s West Coast USA studio with the Geneva show car offering a similar interior to its stablemates, most notably the Kia Soul.

Mechanically, the new Rio will receive a new range of engines designed to comply with EU5 emissions regulations. Buyers will be offered four engines from launch; 1.25 and 1.4 litre petrol engines, a 1.4 litre turbodiesel and the 1.1 litre turbodiesel Ecodynamics.

Kia claims that, when equipped with stop-start technology, all these engines will offer 58mpg or better whilst producing no more than 114 g/km of CO2.

The Ecodynamics, however, improves dramatically upon these figures with a combined fuel economy figure of 88mpg and CO2 emissions 85 g/km – making the 81mpg turbodiesel the most efficient and cleanest car currently on sale.

At the other end of the scale, Kia’s marketing and product planning chief, Benny Oeyen, hopes that the new Rio will aid the introduction of the first sporty Kia in Europe – stating that the most likely options are a cabriolet, coupe or hot-hatch. Were such a car to be launched, it would most likely use a three-door configuration and is rumoured to be released part way through 2012.

On sale in September, the Kia Rio will initially be offered in five-door configuration only, with the three-door being introduced at the end of the year. Kia has yet to announce official pricing, but the Rio is expected to cost from £10,000 in Britain.