All-New Kia Rio First Photos Released

Kia has just released the first two photos with its new Rio model that will be on display at the Geneva Auto Show in March. The car will come in three different body styles, with 3, 4 or 5 doors, depending on the market, and will be sold in most countries around the world. The new model is longer than its predecessor by 55 mm (2.1 inches), shorter by 15 mm (0.6 inches) and wider by 25mm (0.9 inches). It has a wheelbase of 2,570mm (101 inches) and comes with a trunk volume of 292 liters for the hatchback and 390 liters for the sedan.

There will be six engines available across the new range, starting with the 1.1-liter diesel unit generating 70 horsepower for the Old Continent and ending with the 1.6-liter GDI gasoline that delivers 140 horsepower for North American markets. In addition, a new 1.2-liter Turbo Gasoline Direct Injection Engine (GDI) will go on sale in Europe starting from 2012.

The new Rio will be on display at the Swiss venue alongside the new Picanto but also the Optima Hybrid sedan that's scheduled to go on sale across Europe this year.

“This new model is a big step forward. The Rio has always been successful, and with this new incarnation we have a car which is extremely attractive, that people will want to buy for its looks," Soon-Nam Lee, Director of Overseas Marketing, Kia Motors Corporation, said in a statement.

autoevolution will be attending the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, so stay tuned for some real up close and personal shots of the vehicles, as well as for first-hand details of the motorized contraptions presented at the event.