Photo: Theophilus Chin
Will Kia make a 3-door Rio based on the newer model? We wouldn't buy one, but considering the Korean automaker is always searching for new niches, we wouldn't be surprised if the rear doors get chopped off.
As Korea's biggest automaker, Hyundai has led the way for the development of 3-door hatchbacks. About a year ago, they introduced the i20 Coupe, which got a 1.0-liter turbo engine for 2016. And, as you all know, the i20 and Rio are sister cars. The all-new i30 compact will also have such a version. In fact, a recent teaser suggested it might be as rakish as the Opel Astra GTC.
The weird things is that while Korea wants to make more of these cars, every German automaker has decided they are stupid. In 2012, the A-Class came out and got rid of its 3-door body. We have semi-official confirmation that Audi will do the same on the next A3.
So why are people so against buying such cars? Well, for starters, these aren't perceived as real coupes. The VW Scirocco often gets ridiculed as being a Golf. However, the only real requirement of a coupe is to have a chopped roof.
At the end of the day, we can't forget that Kia has always enjoyed selling 3-door hatchbacks. At one point, the pro_cee'd was one of the most talked about cars with teen drivers.
But looking at the rendering made by Theophilus Chin, we can't help but feel that there's no magic going on. The all-new Rio is more of a small car trying to act grown up than a boy racer's dream.
Between it and the recently shown Rio GT hot hatch rendering, we hope Kia will make the latter. After all, a powerful 1.6-liter engine can compensate for pretty much anything. Meanwhile, having only three doors is more a hindrance than anything else.
As Korea's biggest automaker, Hyundai has led the way for the development of 3-door hatchbacks. About a year ago, they introduced the i20 Coupe, which got a 1.0-liter turbo engine for 2016. And, as you all know, the i20 and Rio are sister cars. The all-new i30 compact will also have such a version. In fact, a recent teaser suggested it might be as rakish as the Opel Astra GTC.
The weird things is that while Korea wants to make more of these cars, every German automaker has decided they are stupid. In 2012, the A-Class came out and got rid of its 3-door body. We have semi-official confirmation that Audi will do the same on the next A3.
So why are people so against buying such cars? Well, for starters, these aren't perceived as real coupes. The VW Scirocco often gets ridiculed as being a Golf. However, the only real requirement of a coupe is to have a chopped roof.
At the end of the day, we can't forget that Kia has always enjoyed selling 3-door hatchbacks. At one point, the pro_cee'd was one of the most talked about cars with teen drivers.
But looking at the rendering made by Theophilus Chin, we can't help but feel that there's no magic going on. The all-new Rio is more of a small car trying to act grown up than a boy racer's dream.
Between it and the recently shown Rio GT hot hatch rendering, we hope Kia will make the latter. After all, a powerful 1.6-liter engine can compensate for pretty much anything. Meanwhile, having only three doors is more a hindrance than anything else.
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