2015 Kia Rio freshens up for France

Thu, 02 Oct 2014

We've always felt that the current-generation Rio is styled with European flair, so good on Kia for showing its refreshed new look here at the Paris Motor Show.

The B-segment hatchback's aggressive looks get modestly more so for the new model year, with a revamped tiger nose grille and new light fixtures, along with a pair of hash marks in the fog lamp area. To us, the current car, introduced for 2012, still looks quite fresh, but we like the subtly new light fixtures and suite of new wheel designs.

Interior highlights include a rationalized center stack with updated audio and navigation systems, revised cloth on EX models and additional brightwork around the air vents.

Mechanically, the European-spec Rio will offer a range of four engines ranging from 74 to 108 horsepower and benefit from an available stop/start system to maximize fuel economy. We're not sure if the latter technology will be available in our market, but we fully expect the North American model to continue with its 1.6-liter Gamma four, which in the 2014 model generates 138 hp and 123 lb-ft and is paired with either a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox.

The updated Sohari, Korea-built Rio goes on sale in Europe early next year as a 2015 model. For our part, we've reached out to Kia Motors America to find out if and when North American customers can expect to see these exterior and cabin upgrades, and will update this story when we hear more. In the meantime, check out our high-res gallery above and the official press release below.

Enhanced Kia Rio set for Paris Show world premiere

- Enhanced Kia Rio to be unveiled at 2014 Paris Motor Show
- B-segment Kia's makeover gives exterior and cabin a fresh appearance
- Enhanced Rio range on sale in Europe from early 2015

Frankfurt, 29 September 2014 – Kia will celebrate the world premiere of an enhanced Kia Rio at the 2014 Paris Motor Show on 2 October, featuring a number of improvements to maintain the competitiveness of its global best-selling car.

"The Kia Rio was our best-selling vehicle nameplate worldwide in 2013, with a total of 471,000 sales, and among our top-three sellers here in Europe with 56,821 units delivered. Improvements to this model are of major significance for our brand," commented Michael Cole, Chief Operating Officer, Kia Motors Europe.

"The immense popularity of the Rio shows that our designers and engineers got most things 'right' when creating the fourth-generation of our compact B-segment challenger in 2011. The Rio retains the core attributes that have proved so popular with owners, while enhancements to the 2014 model include a slight visual makeover, giving it a fresh exterior and interior look," added Cole.

Under the direction of Peter Schreyer, President and Chief Design Officer of Kia Motors Corporation and Hyundai Motor Group, the Rio design team in Korea has updated the Rio's 'tiger-nose grille' and given the car a newly-designed front bumper and fog lights. Three new alloy wheel designs (available in 15-, 16- and 17-inch) refresh the Rio's profile and a new rear bumper completes the exterior makeover. In addition, two new paint finishes (Urban Blue and Digital Yellow) will be added to the colour line-up.

The Rio's cabin is brightened by the addition of chrome accents around the four dashboard air-vents, and the fitting of a newly-designed centre-stack around the audio system. Range-topping EX models have a new cloth trim as standard, while Kia is introducing the option of grey faux leather upholstery on this model.

New optional features for the 2015 Kia Rio will include a new DAB digital radio and a new generation of Kia's AVN (audio-video navigation) system with a 7.0-inch display screen, improved processing speed and faster route calculation (availability of system depends on individual markets).

Depending on individual markets, the enhanced Rio will be offered in Europe with a choice of up to four highly efficient engines – ranging in power output from 75 to 109 ps – driving the front wheels via five- or six-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmissions.

Every engine in the enhanced Rio range is available with Kia's optional second-generation fuel-stretching Start/Stop (ISG) technology (automatic start-stop, advanced alternator control and an upgraded starter motor, as well as the fitment of low-rolling resistance tyres).

The Kia Rio hatchback is manufactured for Europe at Kia's Sohari plant in Korea. The enhanced Kia Rio is expected to go on sale across Europe early in 2015, with country-by-country availability to be decided locally.

About Kia Motors Europe
Kia Motors Europe is the European sales, marketing and service arm of the Kia Motors Corporation. With its headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany, it covers 30 markets in Europe.

About Kia Motors Corporation
Kia Motors Corporation (www.kia.com) – a maker of quality vehicles for the young-at-heart – was founded in 1944 and is Korea's oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles. Over 2.7 million Kia vehicles a year are produced in 10 manufacturing and assembly operations in five countries which are then sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering around 150 countries. Kia today has around 48,000 employees worldwide and annual revenues of over US$43 billion. It is the major sponsor of the Australian Open and an official automotive partner of FIFA – the governing body of the FIFA World Cup™. Kia Motors Corporation's brand slogan – "The Power to Surprise" – represents the company's global commitment to surprise the world by providing exciting and inspiring experiences that go beyond expectations.

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Enhanced Kia Venga to be revealed at Paris Show

- Refreshed look for upgraded 2015 Kia Venga on car's fifth anniversary
- Compact MPV has a new face and more sophisticated cabin
- New options include integrated 7.0-inch navigation display screen
- Enhanced Venga on sale in Europe from early 2015

Frankfurt, 29 September 2014 – Five years after launching the Kia Venga, Kia will reveal an enhanced version of its popular compact MPV at the 2014 Paris Motor Show on 2 October. The refreshed model features a new-look front and rear, a more sophisticated cabin, new alloy wheels and an expanded range of options.

"On its introduction in 2009, the Kia Venga brought stylish good looks to what was, at that time, an otherwise-unremarkable vehicle segment. As well as winning prestigious design awards, the Venga also ensured that rewarding, fun-to-drive motoring was available to drivers whose lifestyles demand a compact MPV," commented Michael Cole, Chief Operating Officer, Kia Motors Europe.

"The 2015 Kia Venga continues to offer all the practicality, versatility and reliability that European buyers expect, but a mildly refreshed appearance will boost the appeal of our compact MPV in the years ahead," added Cole.

Kia's European design team, based in Frankfurt, has given the Venga a larger 'tiger-nose grille' with a separate, repositioned Kia badge, and a restyled lower grille with combined fog lights and LED daytime running lights. At the rear, horizontal chrome trim joins the new rear light clusters, which also feature LED bulbs. New designs of the larger (16- and 17-inch) alloy wheels are also available.

Inside, the enhanced Venga is fitted with darker metal trim with bright accents and a choice of two new seat trims to raise the quality of the cabin, plus a new centre-stack fascia. New options include a heated steering wheel for colder mornings and the new generation of Kia's AVN (audio-video navigation) system with a 7.0-inch display screen, rear-view camera, improved processing speed and faster route calculation (availability of system depends on individual markets)

The 4-metre long upgraded Venga retains the original model's unusually long wheelbase for its class (2,615 mm) and its 1,600 mm high roofline to maximise cabin space. Skilful packaging also ensures that the Venga delivers levels of interior space typical of many larger C-segment vehicles, but within a B-segment footprint. Every Venga is equipped with a 130 mm sliding 60/40 split-fold rear seat, which also folds flat into the floor to create a versatile and spacious cargo bay.

Depending on individual markets, the 2015 Venga will be offered with a choice of up to six 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre gasoline and diesel engines, generating between 77 and 128 ps, driving the front wheels via five- or six-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmissions.

Every engine in the Venga line-up is available with Kia's fuel-stretching Start/Stop (ISG) technology and complies with Euro 5 emission standards. ISG equipped models have a CO2 rating from just 114 g/km (models equipped with the 1.4-litre U2 diesel engine).

Designed, engineered and manufactured in Europe for European consumers, the stylish and genuinely spacious Kia Venga, has proven to be a strong seller for the Korean brand since its introduction in late 2009, recording sales of more than 150,000 units so far and 29,000 units sold to European buyers in 2013.

Manufactured exclusively at Kia's Zilina plant in Slovakia, the upgraded Venga is expected to go on sale across Europe in early 2015, with local availability to be decided by individual markets.

About Kia Motors Europe
Kia Motors Europe is the European sales, marketing and service arm of the Kia Motors Corporation. With its headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany, it covers 30 markets in Europe.

About Kia Motors Corporation
Kia Motors Corporation (www.kia.com) – a maker of quality vehicles for the young-at-heart – was founded in 1944 and is Korea's oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles. Over 2.7 million Kia vehicles a year are produced in 10 manufacturing and assembly operations in five countries which are then sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering around 150 countries. Kia today has around 48,000 employees worldwide and annual revenues of over US$43 billion. It is the major sponsor of the Australian Open and an official automotive partner of FIFA – the governing body of the FIFA World Cup™. Kia Motors Corporation's brand slogan – "The Power to Surprise" – represents the company's global commitment to surprise the world by providing exciting and inspiring experiences that go beyond expectations.

By Chris Paukert