Kia has been on a great momentum lately with a tidal wave of new releases, and it looks like the transformation of the line-up continues on course with the all-new Rio, spied today for the first time. Code-named "UB", the upcoming redesign of the Rio subcompact ostensibly carries on the chiseled family look of recent Kia's as it is yet another work of Peter Schreyer. READ MORE for the full article and 15 MORE images of the next Rio test mule!
The exterior of the next-generation Rio is almost a dead-ringer to the larger K5/Optima, similar to how the new Accent casts off the impression as a miniaturized version of the Sonata. We can definitely see the influence from the K5/Optima in the front fascia of the new Rio, with familiar sights like the corporate "tiger-nose" grille and the set of sharp, stretched headlights.
The side profile is characterized by front fender vents (also a cue from the K5/Optima) and a rather unique C-pillar design. The rear fascia is mainly clad in camo for now, but from what we can see, it is definitely reminiscent of the Forte's. The black machined finish alloy wheels, meanwhile, look directly lifted off those from the K5/Optima, except the four-lug design that confirms its Rio identity.
How about powertrain technology? The new Rio shares platforms with the new Hyundai Accent. The Accent is currently available in two four-cylinder gasoline powertrains - a 107 horsepower 1.4-liter and a 126 horsepower 1.6-liter.
More details about the next generation Rio, as well as other Kia plans for 2011, will be revealed at the forth-coming Paris Auto Show in October. Production of the new Rio is rumored to start in the first half of 2011.
