Following the general trend of Korea's Kia Motors with regard to its new products, the next version of the big-selling Rio compact car will included more of everything.
That trend would include not only more space and more power, but also better handling, a better ride and improved fuel economy.
Rio five-door made its debut in Geneva this week because it will be a big deal for European consumers who need to buy small cars even more than we do, but it's not known when the car will actually make its first appearance in Canada.
The ''New Rio,'' as Kia executives like to call it, is a ''next-generation'' product which ''builds on the enormous progress we have made in the last two years.''
According to Kia Motors senior executive vice-president and COO, Yong Hwan Kim, the forthcoming Rio ''is a high-quality rival to match or surpass the best B-segment products from famous European brands.''
Though the Rio five-door is actually shorter than the previous model, because it uses a longer (by 90 mm) wheelbase and is 50-mm taller and 15-mm wider and gets ''improved packaging,'' it is noticeably roomier inside. That should appeal directly to Canadian buyers who need to buy compact cars like this for price and fuel-economy reasons, but really want more room.
As for motive power, it's not likely that Kia Canada will bring in the new diesel that should account for a majority of Rio sales in Europe, but we may see both of the 16-valve gasoline engines.
For Europe, the 1.6-litre inline-four will get continuously variable valve timing, which will be the key to the car's improved fuel economy and its power range. In Europe, that means 112 hp at 6,000 rpm and about 115 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm. We can expect that to be tuned slightly differently for North America.
The all-new 1.4-litre inline-four generates 97 hp at 6,000 rpm and about 95 lb-ft of torque at 4,700 rpm.
On the style front, Kia's intent was to create a new model that was ''dynamic, youthful, aggressive, sporty and bold,'' while encompassing the new Rio's six core values -- style, comfort, performance, safety, refinement and convenience '' in an ''exciting and appropriate manner.''
Rio's improved ride will be the result of suspension system designed to deliver ''responsive handling and a supple, comfortable ride on European roads.'' In tech-nese, that means McPherson struts and a rear transverse torsion beam axle, and anti-roll bars and gas-filled shock fore and aft.
Every Rio also has power-assisted rack and pinion steering and a small turning radius (less than 4.92 metres) for ''responsive, agile handling in city and country driving situations.''
The braking system has ventilated front- and solid-rear discs, to deliver ''secure and stable braking performance with consistent pedal feel.'' There will of course be anti-lock system, but it's not known if Kia Canada will make it standard or optional.
Kia will also provide a lot of airbag protection in the new Rio, including front, side and head (or curtain) units. What will be standard and what will be optional is still to be determined, and the ''active'' head restraints that do so much to reduce whiplash injuries may also be available.
More details on how the Rio five-door will be equipped -- and priced -- will be available closer to its on-sale date. Whatever the sticker prices, however, it's expected that Kia Canada will maintain its position of offering a well-equipped car for a low price.
photo:Kia Motors
That trend would include not only more space and more power, but also better handling, a better ride and improved fuel economy.
 |
| 2006 Kia Rio (Photo: Kia Motors) |
The ''New Rio,'' as Kia executives like to call it, is a ''next-generation'' product which ''builds on the enormous progress we have made in the last two years.''
According to Kia Motors senior executive vice-president and COO, Yong Hwan Kim, the forthcoming Rio ''is a high-quality rival to match or surpass the best B-segment products from famous European brands.''
 |
| 2006 Kia Rio (Photo: Kia Motors) |
As for motive power, it's not likely that Kia Canada will bring in the new diesel that should account for a majority of Rio sales in Europe, but we may see both of the 16-valve gasoline engines.
For Europe, the 1.6-litre inline-four will get continuously variable valve timing, which will be the key to the car's improved fuel economy and its power range. In Europe, that means 112 hp at 6,000 rpm and about 115 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm. We can expect that to be tuned slightly differently for North America.
The all-new 1.4-litre inline-four generates 97 hp at 6,000 rpm and about 95 lb-ft of torque at 4,700 rpm.
On the style front, Kia's intent was to create a new model that was ''dynamic, youthful, aggressive, sporty and bold,'' while encompassing the new Rio's six core values -- style, comfort, performance, safety, refinement and convenience '' in an ''exciting and appropriate manner.''
 |
| 2006 Kia Rio (Photo: Kia Motors) |
Every Rio also has power-assisted rack and pinion steering and a small turning radius (less than 4.92 metres) for ''responsive, agile handling in city and country driving situations.''
The braking system has ventilated front- and solid-rear discs, to deliver ''secure and stable braking performance with consistent pedal feel.'' There will of course be anti-lock system, but it's not known if Kia Canada will make it standard or optional.
Kia will also provide a lot of airbag protection in the new Rio, including front, side and head (or curtain) units. What will be standard and what will be optional is still to be determined, and the ''active'' head restraints that do so much to reduce whiplash injuries may also be available.
More details on how the Rio five-door will be equipped -- and priced -- will be available closer to its on-sale date. Whatever the sticker prices, however, it's expected that Kia Canada will maintain its position of offering a well-equipped car for a low price.
photo:Kia Motors
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