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The all new Kia Rio, which is set to revolutionize the small and light car sector in Australia, will be launched on 15 July 2000 with prices for its four and five door versions set to match those of some of its three door competitors.

"We believe that the interest in the Kia Rio will be so great that we have delayed the launch by two weeks to ensure that every Kia dealer in Australia is fully stocked with the new Kia Rio," says Ric Hull, Managing Director of Kia Automotive Australia. "The Rio combines a level of style not seen in this market sector before, with the flexibility of four and five doors at a three door price and high levels of equipment. As if this was not enough, it is also the replacement for the Ford Festiva, which was built by Kia for the American car maker, providing us with a large number of people who will be keen to see the new Rio."

The arrival of GST on 1 July 2000 means that a considerable number of car makers have delayed the launch of their models until 1 July to benefit from the new tax regime. Kia Automotive has decided to delay its launch by two weeks not just to enable full dealer stocks to be delivered, but also so that it avoids the inevitable clashes of multiple launches that will occur on 1 July.

"We believe that the Rio is such a strong product that we are happy for customers to look at what our compeditors have to offer and then come to see the Rio," says Mr Hull. "We know that when they compare what the Rio has, the choice will be an easy one. Our last all-new model, the Kia Carnival, has taken the people mover segment by storm and now it is the Rio's turn to do the same."

The Kia Rio - a new benchmark

The new car ignores many of the rules in this market sector. Kia will not offer a three door version. Kia believes that the limitations that three doors place on a car of this size hamper its ability to provide versatile and flexible transport. It's styling clearly sets it apart from all its compeditors. The five door has dramatic styling akin to a coupe and an interior that would do justice to a small wagon. The four door sedan is very much a classic four door, from its overall shape to details, such as the fully carpet lined boot.

The five and four door policy also keeps the Kia Rio range simple: Two bodies, one engine and two gearboxes. This is also achieved by a high level of standard equipment. Power steering, air conditioning and a driver's air bag are all standard. As are clever details, such as the hook in the boot to hang shopping bags on and the power socket in the back of the hatch. Trim standards are also high. The moulded door panels include door pockets and cloth inserts, the finish of the dashboard is also of a high quality, providing the Kia Rio with a quality feel that belies its price.

The Kia Rio is powered by the first of a new generation of twin cam 16 valve engines that use the latest construction and computer technology to maximize performance, minimize fuel consumption and reduce emissions.

The 1.5 litre engine used in the Rio produces 73.5 kW at 5800 rpm thanks to multipoint fuel injection and the latest 16 bit engine management system. This provides a top speed, where the law permits, of 185 kmh and the 0-100 kmh dash is dispatched in 11.3 seconds. Fitted with the four speed electronically controlled automatic gearbox, top speed is 156 kmh and 0-100 kmh is achieved in 13.7 seconds.

The Kia Rio includes all the modern safety features expected in a car in this class, but it also adds a new one: Air filled impact absorbing bumpers. They contain air filled bladders that in low speed impacts simply compress the air to absorb energy and in high speed accidents progressively burst to absorb more energy.

Full details of the Kia Rio will be announced when it goes on sale on 15 July 2000.

The Kia Rio - Technical Specification