Kia Motors has announced a significant upgrade to the fourth-generation Kia Rio. The upgraded model features a range of enhancements to reinvigorate the car's position within the highly competitive B-segment.
The upgraded Rio pairs an updated exterior and interior design with 'big car' safety and infotainment technologies. The new model also offers drivers new efficient powertrains - including Kia's first petrol 48V mild-hybrid system, equipped with one of the first applications of the company's new 'clutch-by-wire' intelligent manual transmission.
European sales of the upgraded Kia Rio start during the third quarter of 2020. It is sold with Kia's industry-leading 7-Year, 100,000-mile warranty as standard.
New EcoDynamics+ petrol mild-hybrid with new intelligent Manual Transmission
The Rio is the first Kia powered by a petrol mild-hybrid electric vehicle (MHEV) powertrain. The new 'EcoDynamics+' powertrain pairs Kia's new 'Smartstream' 1.0-litre T-GDi (Turbocharged Gasoline Direct injection) engine with Kia's 48V MHEV system, maximising fuel efficiency with electric torque assistance and regenerative braking.
The new Smartstream engine replaces the Rio's earlier 'Kappa'-generation 1.0-litre T-GDi, and is equipped with Kia's advanced Continuously Variable Valve Duration (CVVD) technology, among a range of other innovations. CVVD enables the engine to switch seamlessly between different combustion cycles depending on load, maximising efficiency in all driving situations. The Smartstream engine produces the same power as the previous Kappa engine line - 100 ps or 120 ps - but enables 16 per cent higher peak torque output for 120 ps variants (200 Nm).
Overall, the new EcoDynamics+ powertrain reduces the Rio's CO2 emissions by between 8.1 per cent and 10.7 per cent (NEDC, combined cycle), and is offered on both 100 ps and 120 ps versions of the new engine. Both 48V powertrains will be equipped with a Drive Mode Select system, giving drivers the choice to customise their drive with 'Eco', 'Sport' and 'Normal' modes.
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