- The first official sketches of the future Kia Rio were unveiled Wednesday in advance of the car's debut at the 2011 Geneva Auto Show.
- The new Rio borrows some cues from the Kia KV7 crossover concept shown at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, including a "tiger nose" and an exaggerated "tab" grille.
- The future Rio will also be longer, lower and wider than the 2011 Kia Rio.
GENEVA — The next-generation Kia Rio, which is on deck for the 2011 Geneva Auto Show, features a "tiger nose" and an exaggerated "tab" grille and is another step in the evolving look of the Korean brand.
Sketches of the future Rio were released on Wednesday, just days after the rollout of the Kia KV7 crossover concept at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show. Taken together, the new Rio and KV7 showcase the evolving look of the Korean brand, which is carefully being shaped by global design boss Peter Schreyer, formerly of Audi.
The future Rio shares several cues with the KV7, most notably the brand's new signature tiger nose and what Kia calls a "tab" grille that has somewhat of a bow-tie shape.
In a statement released with sketches of the future Rio, Kia said the car will be longer, lower and wider than the 2011 Kia Rio. It described the next Rio's styling as "the next big step in Kia's design revolution."
The 2011 Rio is an entry-level model sold as a sedan and a Rio5 hatchback in the U.S.
No word on when the future Kia Rio will arrive in showrooms. Technical specifications are expected to be released in Geneva.
Inside Line says: We got two major clues this week about the changing face of Kia. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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phill1 says:
01:28 PM, 01/14/2011
ed124c: Am I mistaken or have you been drinking? What does a Kia Rio5 5 door hatchback (a small wagon) as you describe have anything to do with a Hyundai Elantra wagon? Isn`t one a B segment sub-compact and the other a C segment compact? The new 2012 Hyundai Accent or Verna will be the clone of the next generation Kia Rio5 I believe be it in 4 door sedan or 5 door hatchback trim.
bman78 says:
12:14 PM, 01/13/2011
looks nice. As long as Kia keeps it cheap to compete with the Versa and the Yaris. When I was selling Kia no one would touch the Rio because for another 900 you could buy a Forte with the rebates. I am glad the Rio is being redone it has been a long time coming.
ed124c says:
10:44 AM, 01/13/2011
Hyundai and Kia don't have ALL the same models. Kia has its unique vehicles-- such as the Forte (with its own drivetrain), the Soul, the Sorrento, the Rio, and the minivan. Hyundai has many more uniquely Hyundai vehicles than does Kia. But many drivetrains are shared between the two brands.
I have always like the looks of the Kia Rio5 wagon. I suppose, if there is to be a new model Rio5 wagon, that it will be a clone of the Hyundai Elantra Touring. Not that there is anything wrong with that.
There's little doubt in my mind that Hyundai/Kia will be in the top 3 or 4 in the US in only a few years-- barring a Toyota-like disaster.
sabastian says:
10:20 AM, 01/13/2011
@lexuslvr
No, I mean a small, sporty, warm-to-hot hatch. The Soul is nice and all, but it seems more of Scion xB rival than a Mini rival.
alex38 says:
06:03 PM, 01/12/2011
Wow, little question Kia continues to make waves. Props to Peter Schreyer...he's worth his weight in gold.
Wonder if Audi is pissed (yes, Audi and Kia don't compete directly but by letting Peter move to KIA, it has helped revive a carmaker and one could argue that KIA and VW compete)
lexuslvr says:
04:29 PM, 01/12/2011
sabastian You mean the Soul?
sabastian says:
02:47 PM, 01/12/2011
So the big question is, will Kia get a version of the Veloster?
phill1 says:
12:54 PM, 01/12/2011
If you want to see basically what the 2012 Kia Rio will look like, check out the many pictures already posted of the 2012 Hyundai Accent/Verna that have been out for months. A modification of the grill and tail lights and there you have it. One does not have to speculate with lame artist conception drawings at this late date.....Please!
phoenixc says:
12:43 PM, 01/12/2011
@bengal3200
What a lame comment - and if you weren't paying attention, Kia has been delivering on the concepts quite nicely.
gloss says:
10:29 AM, 01/12/2011
You can see the design similarities between this and the new Optima. Ratchet the volume down a bit and there's a nice looking compact in there.