KIA is significantly revamping its Rio supermini to include mild hybrid technology and “big car” infotainment and safety systems.
The Korean car maker’s hybrid powertrain consists of an all-new 100 or 120PS 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine coupled with a 48-volt battery.
The set-up includes a mild-hybrid starter generator, electric torque assistance, regenerative braking, variable valve technology and electronic manual transmission.
This Rio EcoDynamics+ will also be equipped with a drive mode selector offering motorists eco, sport and normal options, and cuts CO2 emissions by between 8.1 and 10.7 per cent.
Other choices will include a 100PS 1.0-litre petrol unit with either a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic transmission and an 84PS naturally aspirated 1.2-litre petrol engine.
The upgraded Rio is equipped with a larger eight-inch infotainment display offering split-screen functionality, an advanced voice control system, traffic and weather updates, smartphone app connectivity and Bluetooth for two devices.
A raft of safety features are offered, such as forward, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assistance, driver attention warning, smart cruise control and lane following assist. Impressively, a leading vehicle departure alert is also available as a first-in-class innovation.
If the driver stops the Rio in heavy traffic or at a red light, it alerts them if the car in front moves away and the Rio motorist does not notice. This helps avoid the potential embarrassment of other impatient road users beeping at the driver to move off.
A refreshed exterior design retains the car’s iconic “tiger-nose” grille, narrowed for a more purposeful appearance and matched by a lower, wider front bumper and distinctive new fog lamp housing.
All models now feature new full LED headlamps with integral running lights and the Rio is also offered with a new eight-spoke 16in alloy wheel design. Full details of the UK specifications, on-sale date and pricing have still to be announced but the car is set to go on sale in Europe later this summer or early autumn.
Kia Motors Europe boss Emilio Herrera said: “The upgraded Rio builds on the car’s key strengths – practicality, quality and technology – with newly electrified powertrains, a refreshed design, and advanced safety and telematics features often found in cars many segments above.
“We are convinced these upgrades will make the Rio more successful than ever.”
