South Korea's Kia Motors introduced the first Kia Rio to the world in August, 2000. The first model year was 2001 and, at the time, the Rio was the cheapest car on the planet. It sold for a mere $6995! It was specifically designed as the subcompact car for drivers on budgets. It served as a replacement for its two predecessors, the Kia Pride and the Kia Avella, both of which ceased production in 2000.
1st generation Rios were sold as both 5-door hatchbacks Rio Cinco (to become the Rio5) and/or 4-door sedans. The engine for the United States Rios were 1.5L, 96 hp DOHC 14 V4s for the years 2001 to 2002. After that, a bigger 1.6L, 105 hp DOHC was utilized from 2003 until 2005. All engines offered a choice between 4-speed automatic and 5-speed manual transmissions. In other countries such as Greece and the UK, a smaller 1.3L 75hp V4 engine was used in the Rio. Other markets still used a diesel engine.
As one might assume, the Rio has never been loaded down with fancy features. Power steering and a tachometer were about it - and even they were optional on the sedan versions. Later models offered the likes of CD players, leather seats and car alarms in some foreign markets. Likewise, the safety features were kept to a minimum of seat belts, air bags and ABS braking systems.
In 2003, the Rio was redesigned somewhat to accommodate upgrades in the engine, suspension and brakes. Some cosmetic differences were implemented including a new grille, sportier headlights, and a fresh instrument panel. European Rios were upgraded to a whopping 83 hp engine, up from the aforementioned 75 hp version.
2nd generation Rios were delivered to the US beginning in 2006. The Hyundai Accent served as the model for the design platform. The new engine was now producing 110 hp from a 1.6L DOHC V4 engine, the same engine utilized by the Accent. The exterior underwent a total redesign, growing larger than any previous Rio model. Increased fuel efficiency and additional safety features were also added. The hatchback model, previously called the Rio Cinco, was renamed Rio5 in the US. Thus, the official introduction of the Kia Rio5 was at the 2005 Detroit Auto Show.
There were two trims to choose from as well beginning in 2006: the base and the LX. The LX featured power steering, AC, a CD player, leather covered steering wheels and power locks that the base trim lacked. There are now three engines to choose from on the Rio5 and the sedan version of the Rio in the US: the 1.6L 110 hp; the 1.5L Turbodiesel 109 hp; and the 1.4L 97 hp. The 2007 Rio5 didn't change much at all from the 2006 model although there was a SX trim made available to the sedan version. In 2008, there was also a LX trim added, granting the same features as the 2007 SX sedan has to the Rio5 hatchback.
The Kia Rio5 has always been a good seller. The subcompact market didn't really have a lot of competition until about the time of the introduction of the 2nd generation Rios. Today, Kia receives competition from manufacturers such as the Chevy Aveo, the Toyota Yaris, the Honda Fit and the Nissan Versa. Although Kia remains strong in the class, its competitors are gaining ground due to their more recognizable names and stronger advertising tactics within the US. There is also a hybrid version of the Kia Rio5 in the planning stages currently.
Kia Rio5
South Korea's Kia Motors introduced the first Kia Rio to the world in August, 2000. The first model year was 2001 and, at the time, the Rio was the cheapest car on the planet. It sold for a mere $6995! It was specifically designed as the subcompact car for drivers on budgets. It served as a replacement for its two predecessors, the Kia Pride and the Kia Avella, both of which ceased production in 2000.
1st generation Rios were sold as both 5-door hatchbacks Rio Cinco (to become the Rio5) and/or 4-door sedans. The engine for the United States Rios were 1.5L, 96 hp DOHC 14 V4s for the years 2001 to 2002. After that, a bigger 1.6L, 105 hp DOHC was utilized from 2003 until 2005. All engines offered a choice between 4-speed automatic and 5-speed manual transmissions. In other countries such as Greece and the UK, a smaller 1.3L 75hp V4 engine was used in the Rio. Other markets still used a diesel engine.
As one might assume, the Rio has never been loaded down with fancy features. Power steering and a tachometer were about it - and even they were optional on the sedan versions. Later models offered the likes of CD players, leather seats and car alarms in some foreign markets. Likewise, the safety features were kept to a minimum of seat belts, air bags and ABS braking systems.
In 2003, the Rio was redesigned somewhat to accommodate upgrades in the engine, suspension and brakes. Some cosmetic differences were implemented including a new grille, sportier headlights, and a fresh instrument panel. European Rios were upgraded to a whopping 83 hp engine, up from the aforementioned 75 hp version.
2nd generation Rios were delivered to the US beginning in 2006. The Hyundai Accent served as the model for the design platform. The new engine was now producing 110 hp from a 1.6L DOHC V4 engine, the same engine utilized by the Accent. The exterior underwent a total redesign, growing larger than any previous Rio model. Increased fuel efficiency and additional safety features were also added. The hatchback model, previously called the Rio Cinco, was renamed Rio5 in the US. Thus, the official introduction of the Kia Rio5 was at the 2005 Detroit Auto Show.
There were two trims to choose from as well beginning in 2006: the base and the LX. The LX featured power steering, AC, a CD player, leather covered steering wheels and power locks that the base trim lacked. There are now three engines to choose from on the Rio5 and the sedan version of the Rio in the US: the 1.6L 110 hp; the 1.5L Turbodiesel 109 hp; and the 1.4L 97 hp. The 2007 Rio5 didn't change much at all from the 2006 model although there was a SX trim made available to the sedan version. In 2008, there was also a LX trim added, granting the same features as the 2007 SX sedan has to the Rio5 hatchback.
The Kia Rio5 has always been a good seller. The subcompact market didn't really have a lot of competition until about the time of the introduction of the 2nd generation Rios. Today, Kia receives competition from manufacturers such as the Chevy Aveo, the Toyota Yaris, the Honda Fit and the Nissan Versa. Although Kia remains strong in the class, its competitors are gaining ground due to their more recognizable names and stronger advertising tactics within the US. There is also a hybrid version of the Kia Rio5 in the planning stages currently.
Posts
0 komentar:
Post a Comment