) of Russian production, assembled at the Hyundai Motors Manufacturing Rus plant near St. Petersburg. Recently, the car has gone through a planned restyling, which is designed to refresh the interest of buyers in one of the market's bestsellers.
The Koreans officially presented the updated Euro version of Rio in October at the Paris Motor Show 2014. Such cars are now officially sold in neighboring Kazakhstan and Ukraine. Unlike the Russian model, this version of the Korean assembly boasts a wider range of bodies: the 5-door hatchback and the classic sedan are also accompanied by a bright youth three-door.
Outside is beautiful
By the way, the practical 5-door modification also looks stylish and dynamic. Once again, I bow to the design and managerial genius of Peter Schreyer, who in a fairly short period of time was able to transform many Kia models from unremarkable “gray mice” into a very worthy and modern product that today competes on equal terms with the leaders of the global auto industry. True, according to rumors, a talented designer and manager will soon leave the Korean company, and Luke Donkerwolke from VAG will take his place.
The facelifted Euro-Rio really looks great from whatever angle you look at it. I especially liked the updated feed of the car - with a black plastic insert "a la diffuser" and reflectors in the form of boomerangs: unusual and beautiful. Restyling was also reflected in the shape of the radiator lining, front bumper and front foglights.
By the way, the flagship Top package also includes LED daytime running lights in the headlights, as well as rear LED optics. But our average performance of Mid is content with the usual "eyes".
The size of the wheelbase of the European Rio is exactly the same as that of the hatchback of the Russian assembly - 2570 mm. But the rest of the dimensions are different. The car is 70mm shorter (4050mm), 15mm lower (1455mm) and 20mm wider (1720mm). Although, if you put both cars side by side, the novelty visually seems even more compact and squat.
The ground clearance of the car is purely “European”: 140 mm, which is 20 mm less than the Russian-made model, adapted to local road realities.
Interior is good too
As in the case of the exterior, the interior of the car is very stylish and of high quality: it looks and feels better than that of a fellow Russian assembly. The interior pleased with thoughtful ergonomics: everything is simple, convenient and intuitive.
I would classify the not very comfortable central armrest with a very short stroke as a miscalculation: the elbow of the right hand practically does not reach it. And on the left, on the door card, they placed a small recess for small things - just in the place where you want to rest your left hand.
The landing is low, but the driver's seat has height adjustment, and the steering column is adjustable in two planes, allowing you to choose the optimal position behind the wheel. The leather-wrapped multifunctional "steering wheel" lies comfortably in the hands.
The air conditioning control unit is organized very stylishly and functionally (climate control is available only in the top configuration). Unusual large keys are not only extremely convenient, but also evoke some associations with expensive supercars: bravo to the designers!
At night, the red backlight of the standard multimedia system is a little tiring for the eyes - however, its brightness can be adjusted to your taste. A convenient niche behind the gear selector is provided for a phone or smartphone. Above it is a 12-volt outlet, as well as USB and AUX connectors.
The glove compartment of a decent size can accommodate A4 documents without any problems, and also received cooling and backlighting. Small things can also be stored in the door card pockets and in the center armrest box.
The luggage compartment has a very modest volume - 288 liters in the stowed state. If you fold the separate backrests of the rear seats, you get an almost flat area of 925 liters. The threshold of the compartment is located quite high. Under the floor there is a niche with a spare wheel-stowaway.
But in motion - not so much ...
For the test, we got a car in the Mid configuration, equipped with a 1.4-liter gasoline 16-valve engine (with distributed fuel injection) with a capacity of 109 hp. and outdated 4-band "automatic". In terms of dynamics and behavior on the track, such a car is significantly inferior to the Russian version with a 1.6-liter engine (123 hp) and a more advanced 6-speed automatic transmission.
The test hatchback accelerates without enthusiasm: 0-100 km / h in 13.2 seconds (against 11.2 seconds for the model from the Russian Federation). For sharp and aggressive driving, such a car is definitely not suitable. A classic automatic transmission with a 4-speed torque converter looks like an outdated solution by modern standards, albeit a reliable one. Yes, she shifts gears softly and smoothly, but the price for this was sluggish dynamics and increased fuel consumption. So, when driving on the highway at a speed of 90-100 km / h, Rio "eats" about 6.2-6.4 l / 100 km, and in the urban cycle - up to 9 l / 100 km. In the on-board computer menu, you can select a special Eco-mode, but the effect of it is almost imperceptible, but the character of the car becomes even more sluggish.
The transmission does not have a sport mode, but it is possible to manually change gears with a lever. The power unit, despite its 109 horses, can hardly be called high-torque: a peak torque of 137 Nm is reached already at 4200 rpm. Against this background, the parameters of peppy and economical diesel installations available to European buyers of Kia Rio look much more advantageous. However, for the usual measured driving around the city, this 1.4-liter "gasoline" is enough.
The suspension of the Korean hatchback has a standard scheme for the B-segment: McPherson struts in front and a semi-independent beam on the rear axle. The chassis turned out to be quite soft and comfortable, but it is characterized by increased noise when working out the unevenness of the road surface. The car behaves stably in corners: more predictable than the Russian hatchback. Rio perfectly keeps the trajectory at high speeds (although this is not its element) and practically does not scour when it hits ruts rolled out by heavy trucks. Hard breakdowns of the suspension happened only when they hit frankly large pits.
Any motorist will tell you: there is no foreign car in Russia more popular than the Kia Rio. It will take quite a bit of time and dealers will have a new generation car. Today, finally, we found out what the Russian version of the Korean sedan will look like and when it will appear at dealers.
Some may be surprised by the fact that the new generation Kia Rio is already available in Europe, recently sales of the model began in Ukraine. And we still don't have it. It turns out that we are "behind the whole planet"? Not certainly in that way. The fact is that a hatchback is sold in Europe, which has little in common with the Russian Rio. Our "Rio" is a "reprint" from the Chinese Kia K2, demonstrated in China last year. Why didn't she show up sooner? Because in Russia they first waited for the premiere of the new Hyundai Solaris, with which Rio is twin brothers.
It turns out that the new generation Kia Rio is unique only in appearance. The chassis and powertrains of the novelty are the same as those of the new Hyundai Solaris. Okay, let's talk about looks. The new "Rio" received a narrow grille, stretched headlights, a thin jumper connecting narrow taillights. An interesting detail: the platform for the rear number has moved from the trunk lid to the bumper.
Salon Kia Rio after the change of generations has become more solid and stylish. The strict style of interior design has remained unchanged, ergonomics have improved, however, according to experts, the screen of the multimedia system could be raised higher.
In terms of size, the new Kia Rio is larger than its predecessor, but only nominally: only 23 mm in length, 40 mm in width. Now it has a length of 4400 mm, a width of 1740 mm. The wheelbase has increased by 30 mm and now stands at 2600 mm. But the ground clearance has not changed: it is still equal to 160 mm. The developers have increased the volume of the fuel tank to 50 liters (now - 43 liters), and the washer fluid reservoir - up to 4.6 liters (now - 4.0 liters). It looks paradoxical that the volume of the trunk at the same time decreased by 20 liters - up to 480 liters.
According to the developers, the rear row passengers have become more comfortable: the distance between the rows has increased by 24 mm. Moreover, in the optional set for the rear riders there is a heated sofa. Also in the list of equipment there are heated windshield and steering wheel.
The engineers worked on the suspension settings and changed the hydraulics in the power steering from hydraulic to electric. Already in the initial equipment there is an automatic system for calling emergency services "ERA-GLONASS", as well as a course stability system.
About motors. The new generation Kia Rio will be equipped with a new 1.4-liter naturally aspirated Kappa gasoline engine with 100 hp. (previously it was 107 hp); its maximum torque has dropped to 132 Nm (previously 135 Nm); but it is achieved at lower speeds (four thousand rpm instead of five thousand). The other engine, the 1.6-liter Gamma, is borrowed from the previous generation car, although it has been upgraded. The return remained the same - 123 hp. (max. torque - 156 Nm). In both cases, 6-speed transmissions are used: manual and automatic.
There is no doubt that the new Kia Rio will cost more than its predecessor. The car of the current generation can be purchased for 651 thousand rubles. The top modification "pulled" for "nine hundred and a tail", but, as some experts suggest, this time "a million will be overcome."
And about the main thing. Sales of the new generation Kia Rio will begin in Russia in August. The list of configurations and prices will be announced later - on the eve of the start of sales. First, a sedan will come to our market; hatchback Kia Rio will have to wait until the end of the year.
The new KIA Rio will offer European customers an optimal balance of driving performance, equipment level and safety. The overall dimensions of the model are increased to provide practicality and ease of use of the car. The growth in the share of high-strength steels in the body structure guarantees a level of safety that meets the most stringent international standards. The chassis has undergone a major upgrade, which has a positive impact on handling and dynamics. The new multimedia system provides access to the latest Internet features, including traffic updates and real-time point of interest searches. For full smartphone integration, the new KIA Rio in Europe will be offered with Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay™ platforms. The new generation of the model will go into production for European countries at the end of 2016. The world premiere of new items will take place on September 29, 2016 at the Paris Motor Show. The KIA booth will be located in Hall 3 of the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles exhibition center (Paris, France).- News
Moscow, September 16, 2016– KIA Motors announces the technical details of the new generation for European markets. The world premiere of the novelty will take place on September 29, 2016 at the Paris International Motor Show.
The model will be presented in Europe only in the hatchback body. The new one has a progressive exterior design and a modern, driver-focused interior. The appearance of the car has become "mature" and sportier. Its width and wheelbase have increased, while its overall height has become smaller, which enhances the visual effect of stability. Clearly traced lines and smooth surfaces, an almost vertical C-pillar, increased front and reduced rear overhang emphasize the dynamics and excellent handling of the new 5-door hatchback.
The technical characteristics of the new generation for European countries are fully consistent with its stylish appearance. The car has become much safer thanks to the modernized body structure and the equipment of modern driver assistance systems. The new one has become even more practical and convenient. The suspension has undergone a number of improvements, providing excellent handling and a high level of ride comfort. The new one is equipped with a modern multimedia system with a rich set of functions for accessing online services. The multimedia system supports Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay™.
Michael Cole, Executive Director of KIA Motors Europe, comments: “This is one of the most sought after KIA models in the world. The level of competition in the B+ segment in Europe is very high. The current third generation has helped introduce the KIA brand to more people than ever before. Opening the door to the world of KIA for most buyers, captivates with its design, low operating costs and practicality. The new generation is built around these strengths, but offers customers even more options. Driving the new one is even more fun, and the level of safety and equipment has become one of the best in its class in Europe.”
A new level of practicality
Since the founding of KIA Motors Rus in 2009, more than 500,000 vehicles have been sold on the Russian market. In Russia, under the name, a model is presented, designed specifically for the Russian market, taking into account the preferences of customers. Compared to the model of the same name in other countries of the world, Russian production has a different body and other overall dimensions, in particular, an increased wheelbase. The car stands out for its range of engines and suspension settings, as well as equipment such as the unique Warm Options package. Dates and details about changes to sedans and hatchbacks of the Russian specification will be announced later.
