Kia Rio SV

What is it?
Kia Rio SV

What's special about it?
The SV (Special Version) is a concept vehicle created from the subcompact Rio which will go on sale in August of this year. The shape is rooted in a circular "post-modern" design that evokes the Audi TT, with an emphasis on height (57 inches) over length to shoehorn your way into tight spaces. Inside, the newly designed instrument panel is outfitted with chrome details and email, Internet and GPS access, thus democratizing the realm of wireless productivity to the masses.

Why should you care?
Kia believes that "low-cost cars don't have to be dull," and the Rio is surmised to be one of the inexpensive cars on the market. So they ripped off upscale touches like individual lights under clear lenses for both the front and rear lights and 17-inch wheels, and cut costs under the hood by installing a 1.5-liter DOHC engine that provides a meager 96 horsepower at 5800 rpm and 98 foot-pounds of twisting force at 4500 revs. We see this as a connected golf-cart to shuttle you from your condo highrise to the parking garage of the skyscraper 3 miles and 45 minutes away. For a getaway weekend to the Poconos, you'll have to Hertz it.