2012 Kia Rio To Debut At Geneva Auto Show, Return 50 MPG Highway

[Kiaclub Nieuwsrobot]

The Kia Rio is well overdue for a replacement, and with a new Hyundai Accent on the way, it stands to reason that its platform-mate will also get a thorough re-design.

Although only a sketch has been released so far, the familiar design language brought forth by Kia styling boss Peter Schreyer. Mechanically, the car should share the new Accent’s 1.6L Gamma 4-cylinder, which is estimated to return 37 mpg in the city and an astounding 50 mpg on the highway.

Full details will be revealed at the Geneva Auto Show in March. Until then, see AutoGuide’s complete 2011 Geneva Auto Show preview here.

Hit the jump to see the official press release

NEXT GENERATION RIO MARKS NEXT BIG STEP IN KIA’S DESIGN REVOLUTION

The first official sketches of the next generation Kia Rio revealed today show a powerful, bold design that marks “the next big step” in the company’s ongoing design revolution.

Longer, lower and wider than the existing Rio, the new model is designed to inject emotional appeal into the B-segment, targeting progressive, energetic consumers who want a stand-out design.

Described by Kia’s Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer, as ‘sporty and elegant’, the B-segment newcomer has a swept-back profile and a character line rising out of the front wheel which gives it a sense of movement and fluidity, even when stationary. Inside, new Rio will offer a feeling of quality typically associated with larger, more expensive models.

“Downsizing is becoming more and more of a trend these days and a B-segment car as attractive as all-new Rio, with its driver-oriented cabin and interior trim options, will no doubt help consumers to be more comfortable making that switch. New Rio is the ‘next big step’ in Kia’s design revolution and we anticipate this model becoming even more popular than the current vehicle,” comments Soon-Nam Lee, Director of Overseas Marketing, Kia Motors Corporation.

The new Kia Rio will make its global debut at the Geneva Motor Show on Tuesday, March 1 2011.

The current Kia Rio was the company’s third best-selling vehicle in overseas markets during 2010 with sales of more than 205,000 units.

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