2011 Kia Rio Tiger Style

Kia insists on not holding back any punches with its new lineup, and its fourth-gen Rio is no different. The new Rio is lower, longer, and wider, and looks all the better for it. With the added dimensions come more passenger space, more comfort, and more storage capacity. Don't worry, as Kia will offer a variety of engines and transmissions to suit your needs. Scroll on down for the all-informative spreadsheet.

One neat optional feature is the Emergency Stop Signal, which flashes the brake lights thrice to let drivers behind the vehicle know there's sudden braking to be had ahead.

Really, this car is Kia front to back, inside and out. Featuring Kia's trademark Tiger face and a distinctly "Kia" roof line, this B-segment contender can't be confused for anything else in the parking lot. Inside, you'll find a familiar Kia Rio interior but updated to fit into the new Kia family.

Buyers can also expect to see a very modern selection of options and add-on such as iPod/USB ports, Bluetooth, heated seats, LED running lights, and automatic stop/start.

The new Rio model is longer (by 20 mm), wider (by 25 mm), and lower (by -15 mm) and features a wheelbase extended by 70 mm (to 2,570 mm), thus promising to offer improved passenger space and cargo capacity (+7% at 280 liters) over the previous model. Notably, it will also be available for the first time in both 3-door (in Europe) and 5-door body styles.

In Europe, the new Rio will offer customers a choice of three- and four-cylinder engines with outputs ranging from 70-to-109HP, a CO2 rating as low as 85 g/km, plus fuel consumption as low as 3.2 lt per 100 km (73.5 mpg US).

Diesel options include a 1.1-liter with 70HP and 162Nm, and a 1.4-liter with 90HP and 216Nm of peak torque. The gasoline lineup comprises of a 1.4-liter with 109HP and 136Nm that powers the fastest Rio from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in 11.5" and on to a top speed of 181 km/h (112mph), and a 1.25-liter unit producing 85HP and 118Nm with a combined fuel economy of 4.8lt/100km (49mpg US).

The regular Rio models will have a CO2 rating of 94-to-124 g/km, but in Europe, these figures can be further reduced by specifying Kia’s optional fuel-stretching ISG technologies (automatic stop-start, advanced alternator control, upgraded starter motor and low-rolling resistance tires), which is available on all models. Equipped with Kia's ISG, emissions will range from 85-to-114 g/km, and fuel economy from 3.2 to 4.8 lt per 100 km.

Standard transmission for both diesels and the larger gasoline engine will be a six-speed manual gearbox, while the 1.25-litre 85HP engine has a five-speed box. A four-speed automatic gearbox will be available as an option on the 1.4-litre 109HP.

Geneva Preshow: 2012 Kia Rio Revealed in Detail, gets 1.2-liter Turbo Gasoline Engine

Kia's product assault continues with the presentation of the all-new Rio subcompact, which will receive its world premiere together with the new Picanto at the forthcoming Geneva Motor Show in the beginning of March.

The latest car to be revealed by Kia boasts a far slicker exterior design than the current Rio bringing it in line with the rest of South Korean company's passenger model range. There are no photos of the interior, but Kia says its newcomer "will deliver a high level of quality previously associated with larger models" along with a wider selection of trim options.

The Korean firm's Ford Fiesta-sized vehicle features a wheelbase extended by 70 mm (to 2,570 mm) compared to the outgoing Rio thus promising to offer improved passenger space together with an increased cargo capacity to 292 liters for the hatchback body style. Exterior dimensions changes include: +55 mm (overall length), -15 mm (height) and +25 mm (overall width).

In Europe, the firm's B-Segment contender will be offered with a comprehensive range of petrol and diesel engines including a 1.1-liter diesel unit delivering 70-horsepower and CO2 emissions from as low as 85 g/km.

But the big surprise is the announcement of an all-new 1.2-liter Turbo Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) that will be available from 2012, and which will offer the Koreans a significant advantage over its Japanese rivals.

Soon-Nam Lee, Director of Overseas Marketing for Kia, commented: “This new model is a big step forward. The Rio has always been successful, and with this new incarnation we have a car that people will want to buy for its looks.”

The new Rio will go on sale in Europe as a 5-door model this fall, with a 3-door to be introduced into the range in early 2012. Pricing and full range details will be announced nearer the on-sale date.

Kia Release Sketches of 2012 Rio Hatchback, will Debut in Geneva

Kia has big plans for this year's edition of the Geneva Salon as along with the 2012 Picanto city car, the South Korean automaker will also host the world premiere of the 2012 Rio supermini, the first official sketches of which were released today.

The company said that its Ford Fiesta rival is "designed to inject emotional appeal into the B-segment, targeting progressive, energetic consumers who want a stand-out design", adding that the new Rio's styling marks “the next big step” in the company’s ongoing design revolution.

But while it's obvious that the new Rio will be a more stylish proposal than the current model, our recent spy shots suggest that Kia's renderings aren't as close to reality as the company would like us to believe.

Kia also says that the Rio's interior will be more upscale offering "a feeling of quality typically associated with larger, more expensive models." In the teaser sketch we see that Kia will use colored trim throughout the cabin.

The firm's Director of Overseas Marketing, Soon-Nam Lee commented:

"Downsizing is becoming more and more of a trend these days and a B-segment car as attractive as all-new Rio, with its driver-oriented cabin and interior trim options, will no doubt help consumers to be more comfortable making that switch. New Rio is the ‘next big step’ in Kia’s design revolution and we anticipate this model becoming even more popular than the current vehicle."

Kia withheld details on the new Rio's powertrain lineup but buyers should expect a similar engine lineup to the Kia Venga and Hyundai ix20, including a choice of 1.4-liter and 1.6-liter diesel and gasoline units.

According to Kia, the current Rio was the firm's third best-selling vehicle in overseas markets during 2010 selling more than 205,000 units.

Kia Release Sketches of 2012 Rio Hatchback, will Debut in Geneva

Kia has big plans for this year's edition of the Geneva Salon as along with the 2012 Picanto city car, the South Korean automaker will also host the world premiere of the 2012 Rio supermini, the first official sketches of which were released today.

The company said that its Ford Fiesta rival is "designed to inject emotional appeal into the B-segment, targeting progressive, energetic consumers who want a stand-out design", adding that the new Rio's styling marks “the next big step” in the company’s ongoing design revolution.

But while it's obvious that the new Rio will be a more stylish proposal than the current model, our recent spy shots suggest that Kia's renderings aren't as close to reality as the company would like us to believe.

Kia also says that the Rio's interior will be more upscale offering "a feeling of quality typically associated with larger, more expensive models." In the teaser sketch we see that Kia will use colored trim throughout the cabin.

The firm's Director of Overseas Marketing, Soon-Nam Lee commented:

"Downsizing is becoming more and more of a trend these days and a B-segment car as attractive as all-new Rio, with its driver-oriented cabin and interior trim options, will no doubt help consumers to be more comfortable making that switch. New Rio is the ‘next big step’ in Kia’s design revolution and we anticipate this model becoming even more popular than the current vehicle."

Kia withheld details on the new Rio's powertrain lineup but buyers should expect a similar engine lineup to the Kia Venga and Hyundai ix20, including a choice of 1.4-liter and 1.6-liter diesel and gasoline units.

According to Kia, the current Rio was the firm's third best-selling vehicle in overseas markets during 2010 selling more than 205,000 units.

2012 Kia Rio Spotted out on the Road

Like sister company Hyundai, Kia is in the midst of a new-product blitz that started a little over a year ago. Since the second half of 2009, the South Korean automaker has refreshed its lineup with a slew of new models such as the Forte Koup, Cadenza sedan, Venga mini MPV, Sorento, Sportage and Optima sedan.

Now, following the announcement on the completely redesigned Picanto city car that will break cover at the Geneva Show, our spy photographers snapped the next new model to be added to Kia's range, the 2012 Rio subcompact, while testing in Germany.

The prototype seen in these scoop photos is the five-door hatchback model, but the range will also include a four-door sedan. Although disguised, it's not hard to see that the new Rio 5d will be a more stylish proposal than the current model. From what's visible, the roofline looks more sloped while the front-end appears to feature a similar styling to the European market Picanto and Venga.

Underneath the skin, the new Rio will most likely share its platform with the latest Hyundai Accent, while powertrain options will depend on the market. In Europe, buyers should expect a similar engine lineup to the Kia Venga and Hyundai ix20, including a choice of 1.4-liter and 1.6-liter diesel and gasoline units.

Look out for an auto show debut later in the year, with sales kicking off in most markets before the end of 2011.