Next-gen Kia Rio renderings – Click above for high-res image gallery
Much like its sister company Hyundai, Kia is in the midst of a major product overhaul, spearheaded by the launches of the Soul, Forte, Sorento, Sportage and Optima all within the past few years. The next major up-do within the Kia line is the B-segment Rio, and Kia has just released these sketches of the new subcompact that will debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
Kia's new design language, brought forth by chief design officer Peter Schreyer, is very much present in this new Rio. Both the headlamp and front fascia design are reminiscent of what we see in the Sportage and Optima, and the rear taillights mimic the shape of what's found on the Forte. Combine that with a swept-back profile and a strong character line stemming from the front wheel and the end result is something that should wind up being quite handsome in production form.
We'll have the full details in just under two months, but in the meantime, foliow the jump for Kia's press blast.
[Source: Kia]
NEXT GENERATION RIO MARKS NEXT BIG STEP IN KIA'S DESIGN REVOLUTION
The first official sketches of the next generation Kia Rio revealed today 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 who want a stand-out design.
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 the Geneva Motor Show on Tuesday, March 1 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.
The first official sketches of the next generation Kia Rio revealed today 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 who want a stand-out design.
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 the Geneva Motor Show on Tuesday, March 1 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.
Sign in to post
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Continue