27 September 2011
New car report; European Rio comes to NZ.
Kia New Zealand General Manager Todd McDonald is predicting a 37% increase in the B segment where his Rio competes for 2011 compared with 2010. He puts part of the sales success of smaller cars down to business users opting for more fuel-efficient models over the gas guzzlers they may have been buying previously, saying that the B segment’s business market share has seen huge growth in the past five years, growing from 25% of company vehicle purchases in 2006 to 50% YTD 2011.
But with private buyers also purchasing smaller cars, he sees a big opportunity for the new Kia Rio among private buyers too, given that they consume half the sector’s volume.
Launched recently in the South Island to New Zealand’s motoring media, the latest new model from the Kia stable is pleasing to the eye, big on space, comfort and spec. With disc brakes all round and a chassis and suspension package that impress, the Rio is sure footed and a surprisingly agile handler.
Unlike the Sportage and Optima which received unique Australasian suspension tuning, the Kiwi spec Rio gets a European/UK market setup but seems very well suited to our conditions. Like other Euro models, the indicator stalk is on the left.
Smaller engine but same power to weight ratio.
Powered by a 1.4 litre 80kW/138Nm petrol engine driving the front wheels through a four speed automatic transmission, the Rio delivers everything it promises in terms of performance and a lot more than expectated in all other departments. While it’s no hi-way stormer and four speed autos are rapidly becoming a bit last century, the technical stats place the Rio on an even footing with much of the competition. For those who like shifting cogs manually, a six speed manual ‘box is also on offer.
Although the outgoing model’s 1.6 litre engine produced slightly higher performance figures of 82kW/144Nm, weight reduction from 1,232kg down to 1,198kg has seen to it that the power to weight ratio is exactly the same as before.
The new Rio goes on sale in October in a sporty looking five door hatch configuration, with a four door sedan and three door sport hatch due in 2012. Also due next year are a 1.4 litre diesel and a 1.6 litre petrol engine.
EcoDynamics for Manual first - Auto later.
Manual versions will receive Kia's EcoDynamics package, which includes intelligent Idle Stop & Go (ISG) technology, designed to reduce fuel consumption and lower carbon emissions. According to Mr McDonald, the technology will be available for automatic models in the not too distant future.
Thanks to the numerous technologies comprising the EcoDynamics package, fuel consumption is quoted as 4.1L/100km (69mpg) for the diesel manual with CO2 emissions of just 109g/km, while the petrol manual consumes 5.3L/100km (53.4mpg) and emits 124g/km of CO2. Although automatic versions don’t get the whole EcoDynamics bag of tricks, fuel consumption is quoted at between 6.3 and 6.4L/100km, depending on model.
Another Kia model from ex-VW Audi designer Peter Schreyer’s drawing board, the Rio is one of the more stylish cars in the sector and is loaded with useful equipment.
Starting with the Rio LX, standard features include reversing sensors, Bluetooth, daytime running lights, solar glass, a tilt/telescopic steering column, a chilled glove box and the full array of USB/MP3/iPod connectivity.
EX models have LED’s in place of bulbs in the daytime running lights and tail lights, add projector headlamps with front cornering lights, front fog lights, climate air conditioning with auto de-fog function, cruise control with speed limiter, a seven function trip computer, auto lights and wipers and 16 inch alloys.
The dash top and other interior finishes are soft with a quality feel and although there’s a rather large expanse of black plastic which houses the audio system and some of the centrally-mounted switchgear, the interior is built to a high standard and is classically styled, differing in feel from some of the rather flashy interiors we’ve seen recently in Kia and other Korean models - perhaps another of Schreyer’s German styling cues.
Likewise, where Kia has been known for offering bright and sometimes garish paint finishes, the new Rio comes in seven classical shades, mostly variations of white, silver, grey and black, with a new dark red and an attractive blue thrown into the mix.
With the petrol powered LX Manual priced at $22,990, LX Auto at $23,490, EX Auto at $25,790, and the diesel LX Manual bearing a price tag of $24,990, the Kia Rio represent good value for money, has plenty of spec and stacks up well when compared against other models in the sector.