2018 Kia Rio GT Line shows up ahead of Geneva Motor Show

Immediately after the 2018 Detroit Auto Show, automakers are now shifting their focus to the next major event, and that is the 2018 Geneva Motor Show that will be taking place in March. One of the first companies that have teased us with what’s soon to come would be Land Rover, with their fancy new Range Rover SV Coupe. Now, it is Kia’s turn as they are ready to reveal the sporty GT Line specification for its Rio supermini.

To give you a refresher, some models that are members of the GT Line family include the Picanto, Sportage, Optima and Sorento, and this new Rio GT Line is simply a visual pack that will give the B-segment hatchback a sportier exterior appearance. Up front, there will be a set of four-point “ice cube” LED fog lights, as it sits on a set of 17 inch alloy wheels that you can only get in this version. Kia has also added a few glossy black accents all over the model, contrasted with a chrome window trim and twin exhaust tips.

As for the interior, there aren’t a lot of things to discuss because the Rio GT will have the same interior as the standard Rio models. In fact, the only interior upgrade it gets is that it is now covered in a black synthetic leather and cloth upholstery with grey stitching, metallic accents, and carbon fiber look for the dashboard. It also gets a new flat bottomed steering wheel that gets a “GT Line” badge.

For those of you who are interested, the Kia Rio GT Line will still be offered in the same engines available for the other trim levels. Having said that, customers can choose from either a naturally aspirated 1.25- and 1.4-liter gasoline units or the newer three cylinder turbocharged unit.

The 1.4 liter gas engine has a 1.0 liter displacement that can carry out 118 horsepower and 171 Newton metres (126 pound feet) of torque. This is paired with a six speed manual gearbox that sends power to the wheels. But there is also an option to upgrade to a seven-speed dual clutch that will be available later on, sometime in the third quarter of this year.

Kia’s newest Rio GT Line will be the perfect car to match models like the Ford Fiesta ST Line as well as the Volkswagen Polo R-Line. This will give customers a choice to get a sporty supermini car that is not priced as much as a top hot hatch.

Chief Operating Officer of KIA Motors Europe, Michael Cole, stated that the Rio is one of the company’s best-selling models globally, with over 54,000 units delivered in Europe just in the first quarter of 2017. And the Rio GT Line is expected to contribute significantly to a boost in sales.

PRESS RELEASE

FIRST KIA RIO GT-LINE IMAGES AND INFORMATION REVEALED

Kia Rio available with new sport-inspired GT-Line specification
Powered by 118 bhp turbocharged 1.0-litre T-GDi engine
New GT-Line alloys and sporty exterior trim
Interior equipped with Kia GT-inspired design cues
Latest technology and safety features include Driver Attention Warning System and Lane Departure Warning System
On-sale in Europe from the end of Q1 2018
Kia has revealed the first images of the new Rio GT-Line, ahead of its public debut at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show. The Rio is the latest model to be available in GT-Line specification, following the recent introduction of Sportage, Picanto and Sorento GT-Line models.

Broadening the appeal of Kia’s global bestselling B-segment hatchback, the new Rio GT-Line boasts versatility, a responsive turbocharged engine and engaging handling with a sporty look inside and out.

The Rio GT-Line is powered by Kia’s 1.0-litre T-GDi (Turbocharged Gasoline Direct injection) engine, a responsive powertrain that provides willing acceleration and contributes to the car’s dynamic handling characteristics thanks to its light weight.

Michael Cole, Chief Operating Officer for Kia Motors Europe, commented: “The Rio is one of Kia’s best selling cars globally, and we have already sold more than 54,000 units of the new model in Europe after it went on sale in the first quarter of 2017. The new GT-Line specification enhances the car’s desirability and will help grow Rio sales in 2018 and beyond, thanks to its range of comfort and safety features, superb versatility, and confident, sporty styling.”

The new Rio GT-Line arrives in UK showrooms during the spring 2018.

Design: new GT styling cues

The Rio’s sporty five-door exterior introduces stylish new design features, such as a gloss-black and chrome ‘tiger-nose’ grille, unique GT-Line 17-inch alloy wheels, and ‘ice-cube’ LED fog lamps, echoing those of the cee’d GT and pro_cee’d GT. The exterior is finished with twin exhaust tips, LED daytime running lights, chrome window trim, a gloss black roof spoiler and sill highlights.

The interior merges the Rio’s modern styling, sculptural forms, and ergonomics with a series of unique GT-Line features, creating a cabin to match the more athletic exterior. The seats are finished in black synthetic leather and cloth with contrast grey stitching, while drivers are presented with a new ‘D-cut’ leather steering wheel. New metallic trim surrounds the door switches and gear lever, and the dashboard complements this with a new carbon fibre-effect finish.

Powertrain: Efficient 1.0-litre T-GDi engine with low emissions and instant response

The lightweight, compact and eager three-cylinder 1.0-litre T-GDi engine provides the Rio GT-Line with its peak 118 bhp at 6,000 rpm, with 171 Nm of torque available from 1,500 to 4,000 rpm for maximum flexibility in all road conditions. The relatively low mass over the front axle ensures the Rio remains fun to drive, with minimal inertia facilitating responsive, engaging handling. The Rio GT-Line is capable of 60.1 mpg, with CO2 emissions of 107 g/km. It is paired with a six-speed manual transmission.

From Q3 2018, the Rio GT-Line will also be available with naturally-aspirated 1.25- or 1.4-litre petrol MPi (multi-point injection) engines, and Kia’s seven-speed double clutch transmission.

Technology, safety and versatility

The Rio GT-Line is available with many features familiar to current Rio owners, including standard aluminium pedals and bi-projection headlamps, which turn into corners as the driver turns the steering wheel.

The optional large 7.0-inch ‘floating’ touchscreen HMI (Human-Machine Interface) includes navigation, and Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ for full smartphone integration. A rear-view parking camera, heated steering wheel, and heated seats are also available.

The new Rio is the safest B-segment car Kia has ever made, featuring an Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS)-body construction and six airbags fitted as standard (front, front side, and curtain. With a five-star Euro NCAP crash safety rating when fitted with optional ADAS technology. The Rio offers Forward Collision-avoidance Assist (FCA) with pedestrian recognition, the Rio’s FCA system uses a long-range radar detection system to detect potential collisions with other vehicles or pedestrians and helps bring the car to a halt*. FCA is paired with Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), which alerts the driver if they stray out of their lane without the use of indicators. Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) will also be available to buyers from Q3 2018.

The Rio GT-Line is also available with Kia’s new Driver Attention Warning (DAW) system, designed to combat distracted or drowsy drivers. The system monitors several inputs from the vehicle and the driver, and sounds a warning chime and displays a graphic in the instrument binnacle if it senses a lapse in concentration from the driver.

With one of the most spacious cabins in its class, the Rio also features a split-level boot floor, enabling owners to change its height to fit items under the floor to prevent them rolling around, or to keep them out of sight. Luggage capacity is 325 litres (VDA), making it both spacious and practical.

Kia Rio GT-Line on sale from spring 2018

The Rio is backed by Kia’s quality promise, and will be sold as standard with the company’s unique 7-Year, 100,000 miles warranty. The new Rio GT-Line goes on sale across Europe at the end of the first quarter of 2018. Full UK specification for the Rio GT-Line will vary and will be announced in due course.