2011/2012 Kia Rio Revealed

2011 / 2012 Kia Rio

With the inexorable move by Hyundai and Kia to higher quality, Euro-centric cars the Kia Rio is overdue to be Euro-fied. After all, it’s two years since the Hyundai Getz got brought in to the 21st century by morphing in to the i20.

So after a tease for the new Kia Rio last month, the bland (albeit it cheap) Kia Rio makes way for the Kia version of the i20 – the 2012 Kia Rio – which will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in a couple of weeks, with the five door Kia going on sale in September and the three door on sale in early 2012.

The 2012 Rio grows up in design with a fresh take on the Rio grill, a big pair of headlamps and an even bigger pair of lower air vents. But it’s not just the design that grows up – the Kia also gets bigger.

The new Kia gets a longer wheelbase (70mm) which makes for more luggage space and more cabin room – 55mm longer and 25mm wider – although the less boxy stye of the 2012 Rio means 15mm less headroom than the old Rio.

As you’d expect, Kia are pushing their interiors upmarket (it would have been tough to go downmarket) and are planning on offering a wide range of options. But, helpfully, they’ve decided not to tell us what any of the trim levels, standard spec or options are at the moment.

Kia has also declined to supply much in the way of information on the oily bits. They do say the Rio will come with a wide range of ‘Eco’ engines including a 1.1 diesel with 68bhp and 85g/km (good for 0-60mph in three weeks) and an all new 1.2 litre petrol turbo, due to turn up next year.

No doubt the detail will grow by Geneva.

By Cars UK