Kia Rio (2011)

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Kia Rio (2011) first official pictures

By Tim Pollard

First Official Pictures

11 February 2011 00:01

Kia is going to be busy at the 2011 Geneva motor show: it will show off the new Rio, as well as the Picanto. These are the first official pictures of the Rio, a smart, very European-looking rival to the Fiesta/Corsa/Polo ancien regime.

The new 2011 Kia Rio is bigger in every dimension, apart from height. That 70mm stretch in the wheelbase, length (+55mm) and width (+25mm) should liberate more cabin space. Kia claims a modest 292-litre boot, nigh-on identical to the Fiesta's.

As well as the distinctive tiger-snout nose, the new Rio is the latest in a line of new-generation Kias with more than a hint of Ford's European flavour about it, but do we also detect hints of Seat's Ibiza and other European minis. We think that's a good thing: on this evidence, the new Kia Rio is a smart, Eurocentric piece of design. Tied up with the company's seven-year warranty and improving dynamics and quality, it could make an impact over here where its predecessor courted the fringes.

Kia Rio (2011): Korea's latest supermini

Launching two new models at the Geneva show is a reminder of how resurgent the Koreans are. While the new 2011 Picanto is an A-class city car, the Rio is firmly in the B supermini segment and squares up to many established European rivals.

Engines will include a 69bhp 1.1 diesel promising emissions as low as 85g/km, while a 1.2 turbo petrol will be offered from 2012.

The new Kia Rio lands in the UK in September 2011. First up as a five-door, the three-door hatch following in spring 2012. Prices and further details will be issued nearer launch.

The Kia masterplan

Soon-Nam Lee, director of overseas marketing at the Kia Motors Corporation, said: 'This new model is a big step forward. The Rio has always been successful, and with this new incarnation we have a car that people will want to buy for its looks.'

The Rio has sold more than 860,000 cars since launch in 2005, and was the third best-selling Kia globally last year. But now it's catching up with the latest family look, Kia hopes to expand sales further.