Kia Launching Rio in Malaysia: January 2013

The revival of the Kia brand has been largely design based. The company has stopped making cars that are just means of transportation and is offering more emotional machines, like the Sportage SUV or the Optima sedan.

Since they wanted to also create a decent supermini, the Rio needed to change, and it did just that in 2011 when production of the third generation started in South Korea. The car has been available in Europe and the US for about a year now in five door form, followed by the sedan and 3-door.

Starting next month (January 2013), the Kia Rio hatchback will go on sale in Malaysia, where it will be offered only with the 1.4-liter Gamma petrol engine, rated at 109 PS and 137 Nm of torque. Available with the 4-speed automatic gearbox and in the top two trim levels, EX and SX, the Rio will boast fuel consumption of 8.4 l/100km city, standard leather steering wheel, 16-inch wheels and a well equipped interior with 6 airbags. The SX will also have 17-inch wheel, fog lights, sunroof, push-button start an aluminum pedals.