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Subaru's designers only made a few changes to the front of the car, adding the brand's signature grille, a revised bumper and rounding up the headlights. As for the rest, it is virtually identical to Toyota's Verso-S. On the inside, changes are hard to spot too, with only the logos differentiating the two models.
Kia insists on not holding back any punches with its new lineup, and its fourth-gen Rio is no different. The new Rio is lower, longer, and wider, and looks all the better for it. With the added dimensions come more passenger space, more comfort, and more storage capacity. Don't worry, as Kia will offer a variety of engines and transmissions to suit your needs. Scroll on down for the all-informative spreadsheet.
One neat optional feature is the Emergency Stop Signal, which flashes the brake lights thrice to let drivers behind the vehicle know there's sudden braking to be had ahead.
Really, this car is Kia front to back, inside and out. Featuring Kia's trademark Tiger face and a distinctly "Kia" roof line, this B-segment contender can't be confused for anything else in the parking lot. Inside, you'll find a familiar Kia Rio interior but updated to fit into the new Kia family.
Buyers can also expect to see a very modern selection of options and add-on such as iPod/USB ports, Bluetooth, heated seats, LED running lights, and automatic stop/start.
The new Rio model is longer (by 20 mm), wider (by 25 mm), and lower (by -15 mm) and features a wheelbase extended by 70 mm (to 2,570 mm), thus promising to offer improved passenger space and cargo capacity (+7% at 280 liters) over the previous model. Notably, it will also be available for the first time in both 3-door (in Europe) and 5-door body styles.
In Europe, the new Rio will offer customers a choice of three- and four-cylinder engines with outputs ranging from 70-to-109HP, a CO2 rating as low as 85 g/km, plus fuel consumption as low as 3.2 lt per 100 km (73.5 mpg US).
Diesel options include a 1.1-liter with 70HP and 162Nm, and a 1.4-liter with 90HP and 216Nm of peak torque. The gasoline lineup comprises of a 1.4-liter with 109HP and 136Nm that powers the fastest Rio from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in 11.5" and on to a top speed of 181 km/h (112mph), and a 1.25-liter unit producing 85HP and 118Nm with a combined fuel economy of 4.8lt/100km (49mpg US).
The regular Rio models will have a CO2 rating of 94-to-124 g/km, but in Europe, these figures can be further reduced by specifying Kia’s optional fuel-stretching ISG technologies (automatic stop-start, advanced alternator control, upgraded starter motor and low-rolling resistance tires), which is available on all models. Equipped with Kia's ISG, emissions will range from 85-to-114 g/km, and fuel economy from 3.2 to 4.8 lt per 100 km.
Standard transmission for both diesels and the larger gasoline engine will be a six-speed manual gearbox, while the 1.25-litre 85HP engine has a five-speed box. A four-speed automatic gearbox will be available as an option on the 1.4-litre 109HP.
Making its world premiere at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, is the estate version of Hyundai’s all-new, Europe-specific D-segment model, the i40. Designed and engineered at Hyundai’s R&D headquarters in Russelsheim, Germany, with European buyers in mind, the i40 will fill the gap left by the outgoing Sonata model in the South Korean automaker's range and will compete against the Ford Mondeo and Volkswagen Passat. A four-door sedan version will be introduced this year, with most bets going towards the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show in September.
The i40 Estate will go on sale across Europe in the summer with engine options including a 1.7-liter turbo diesel emitting as little as 113 g/km of CO2 and a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline unit. Strangely, Hyundai has not yet released any other details on the i40 series. When the Koreans decide to share, we'll post an update. In the meantime, scroll down to check out the gallery and a video from Hyundai's Geneva Motor Show booth.
