What Is It?
Kia Rio Cinco Swim
What's Special About It?
Just because you can't spend much on your home-to-office-cubicle transportation doesn't mean that your car shouldn't be able to keep up with your active weekend lifestyle (or at least your delusions of an active lifestyle while filling the hours with your Xbox). As manufacturers like Honda and Toyota are taking comparatively big risks with vehicles like the Element and the Scion bbX, Kia is trying to get a read on consumer interest by showing off a concept version of the Rio Cinco wagon geared toward beach lovers. It's called the "Cinco Swim," a pair of words that when repeated a few times unfortunately sounds a bit like "sink or swim" — not necessarily a desirable association in the lowest price bracket.
If you can get past the name, though, the Cinco Swim has some interesting features. Handling has never been a strong point for the Rio, but the Swim would easily surpass any production Rio to date with its standard four-wheel disc brakes, 15-inch chrome-finished alloy wheels (in place of 14s) and two-inch lower stance. Complementing the new wheels are dark-tinted windows, a modified grille (sans Kia badge), dual stainless steel exhaust tips and a custom-type roof rack with a surfboard tethered to it.
Inside, the traditional cloth upholstery is swapped out for neoprene (the stuff used for wet suits). Faux marble trim in silver, black and blue; a black-and-blue leather-wrapped steering wheel; and drilled pedals attempt to bring a sportier, more upscale feel to the ordinarily bare cabin of this economy car. Of course, since the Swim is equipped with an upgraded audio system, satellite radio and a navigation system (so that the map-illiterate can still find the choice surf spots), it's not missing much.
Besides offering good cargo capacity for its size (24.8 cubic feet with the rear seats up, 44.3 when they're folded), the Cinco Swim offers added utility — a water tank with pump, hose and spray nozzle (for washing off salt and sand); an air compressor (for inflating things); and elastic cords (for hanging up wet towels and suits).
Why Should You Care?
The Cinco Swim is not a likely candidate for production in its current form, but parts of it could be included in future trim packages for the regular Rio Cinco. And if you really like the results, you could always do your own aftermarket mods. Then again, you could save this money and spend a little more on a car in the first place. — Erin Riches
Kia Rio Cinco Swim
What's Special About It?
Just because you can't spend much on your home-to-office-cubicle transportation doesn't mean that your car shouldn't be able to keep up with your active weekend lifestyle (or at least your delusions of an active lifestyle while filling the hours with your Xbox). As manufacturers like Honda and Toyota are taking comparatively big risks with vehicles like the Element and the Scion bbX, Kia is trying to get a read on consumer interest by showing off a concept version of the Rio Cinco wagon geared toward beach lovers. It's called the "Cinco Swim," a pair of words that when repeated a few times unfortunately sounds a bit like "sink or swim" — not necessarily a desirable association in the lowest price bracket.
If you can get past the name, though, the Cinco Swim has some interesting features. Handling has never been a strong point for the Rio, but the Swim would easily surpass any production Rio to date with its standard four-wheel disc brakes, 15-inch chrome-finished alloy wheels (in place of 14s) and two-inch lower stance. Complementing the new wheels are dark-tinted windows, a modified grille (sans Kia badge), dual stainless steel exhaust tips and a custom-type roof rack with a surfboard tethered to it.
Inside, the traditional cloth upholstery is swapped out for neoprene (the stuff used for wet suits). Faux marble trim in silver, black and blue; a black-and-blue leather-wrapped steering wheel; and drilled pedals attempt to bring a sportier, more upscale feel to the ordinarily bare cabin of this economy car. Of course, since the Swim is equipped with an upgraded audio system, satellite radio and a navigation system (so that the map-illiterate can still find the choice surf spots), it's not missing much.
Besides offering good cargo capacity for its size (24.8 cubic feet with the rear seats up, 44.3 when they're folded), the Cinco Swim offers added utility — a water tank with pump, hose and spray nozzle (for washing off salt and sand); an air compressor (for inflating things); and elastic cords (for hanging up wet towels and suits).
Why Should You Care?
The Cinco Swim is not a likely candidate for production in its current form, but parts of it could be included in future trim packages for the regular Rio Cinco. And if you really like the results, you could always do your own aftermarket mods. Then again, you could save this money and spend a little more on a car in the first place. — Erin Riches
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