Kia Rio: the next generation
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12th January, 2011
The first official sketches of the next generation
Kia Rio revealed today (Wednesday) show a powerful, bold design that marks “the next big step” in
the company’s ongoing design revolution.
Longer, lower and wider than the existing Rio, the new model is designed to inject emotional
appeal into the B-segment, targeting progressive, energetic consumers in the 25-to-49 age range.
Described by Kia’s Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer, as ‘sporty and elegant’, the B-segment
newcomer has a swept-back profile and a character line rising out of the front wheel which gives
it a sense of movement and fluidity, even when stationary. Inside, new Rio will offer a feeling
of quality typically associated with larger, more expensive models.
“Downsizing is becoming more and more of a trend these days and a B-segment car as
attractive as all-new Rio, with its driver-oriented cabin and interior trim options, will no doubt
help consumers to be more comfortable making that switch. New Rio is the ‘next big step’ in Kia’s
design revolution and we anticipate this model becoming even more popular than the current
vehicle,” comments Soon-Nam Lee, Director of Overseas Marketing, Kia Motors Corporation.
The new Kia Rio will make its global debut at Switzerland's Geneva Motor Show on Tuesday, 1st
March, 2011.
The current Kia Rio was the company’s third best-selling vehicle in overseas markets during
2010 with sales of more than 205,000 units.
An Australian release is anticipated approximately January 2012, following a late 2011 release
in South Korea. Stay tuned to Next Car for further details about this trend-setting
newcomer.
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