Kia design chief Peter Schreyer's latest project is the next-generation Rio.
The turnstiles haven’t even been opened to the public at this year’s Detroit Auto Show, but we’re already getting word of what’s coming later this year on the auto show circuit – including an all-new version of the Kia Rio, which will roll out in Geneva later this winter.
Kia clearly is on a roll. Following its bigger sibling, Hyundai, it has made a major effort to replace old and stodgy products with sleek new ones, scoring an especially big hit with the latest-generation midsize Optima sedan.
But the subcompact Rio has been more at the heart of where the global market is trending, as downsizing becomes much the norm, so the launch of the 2012 update will be a significant event for the Korean carmaker when the new model reaches the Geneva Motor Show.
Key design cues, like the fascia, grille and headlights of the next Kia Rio are shared with other recent offerings.
What the 2012 Kia Rio, the recently-launched Optima and Sportage and still more products to come have in common is the vision of Peter Schreyer, the German designer who now runs the Korean maker’s styling studio. Key cues, such as front fascias, as well as the new head and taillamps shown in these images, should trigger a sense of déjà vu.
It’s always challenging to take images like this and anticipate what the actual sheet metal will look like, of course, but the swept-back and strong character lines should hold over to the actual design.
The new Kia Optima will feature a more sporty, driver-oriented cockpit, the maker says.
The B-segment Rio is Kia’s third-best-selling model, with worldwide sales of 205,000 last year, “and we anticipate this model becoming even more popular than the current vehicle,” said Soon-Nam Lee, Director of Overseas Marketing, Kia Motors Corporation.
Rio’s official debut is scheduled for March 1st, at Geneva’s PALExpo convention center.