Kia PH Launches All-New Kia Rio

Columbian Autocar Corporation (CAC), the exclusive distributor of Kia vehicles in the Philippines, has officially launched the all-new Kia Rio, three weeks after Carmudi Philippines saw the car at the 2017 Indonesia International Motor Show.

Unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in September 2016, the all-new Rio's design is an evolution of the outgoing model, yet that hasn't stopped it from receiving a 2017 Red Dot Design Award. Created in the Korean carmaker's design offices in Germany and California in collaboration with the team from the company's headquarters in South Korea resulted in an updated profile that is "a truly global aesthetic that merges a balanced stance with a confident look."

With its longer bonnet and nearly vertical C-pillar giving it a more purposeful and aggressive stance, the European design influence of the all-new Kia Rio is very distinct. Kia's signature tiger-nose grille is flanked by a pair of headlights that light automatically as you turn a corner or after you start the engine and release the hand brake. LED light strips that serve as daytime running lamps also give the car a more premium look. And as we mentioned previously in our report on the Kia Rio's appearance at the 2017 Indonesia International Motor Show, the new model is marginally larger than the outgoing model at 5 mm wider and 15 mm longer.

Inside, the Kia Rio has a driver-oriented cabin, with controls that are easy to access, providing maximum comfort during the driving experience. Premium variants come with a fully-automatic climate control system while lower-spec variants are equipped with a manual one. Convenience features offered in the car are the hands-free Smart Key system with push-button start, steering wheel-mounted controls, and power outlets for both the front and rear seat occupants.

Powering the all-new Kia Rio is the same 1.4-liter Gamma engine and, depending on the variant, either the six-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission combination as in the outgoing model, which is goof for 99 hp and 133Nm of torque. According to CAC President Ginia Domingo, the decision to retain the same powertrain helps to keep the cost of the car down since its lifespan--in use in other vehicle models since 2010--has made it easy to maintain.

The all-new Kia Rio is available in four variants though CAC only has the price for three of the four as of now:

• Kia Rio SL MT - P735,000
• Kia Rio SL AT - P845,000
• Kia Rio DX - Between P850,000 and P950,000
• Kia Rio GL AT - P955,000

The delivery of the first batch of Kia Rios have reportedly started, with sales starting in a couple of weeks' time.

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