Sporty three-door Rio

KIA Motors South Africa has expanded the Rio compact hatch line-up with the addition of a new threedoor model in range-topping TEC specification.

The three-door model joins the existing five-door hatch and fourdoor sedan models, and increases the Rio line-up to 12 models in total.

The KIA Rio TEC 3-Door comes with all the outstanding features of its five-door sibling, but in a sportier, sleeker and more compact package.

With its low-slung profile and clean lines, the Rio TEC 3-Door boats an athletic edginess, while the expansive interior gives occupants an awe-inspiring sense of space.

The driver and passenger doors open wide, while the front seatbacks fold forward effortlessly to ease ingress and egress to both the rear seats.

Standard specification levels remain high and includes leather seats, Bluetooth connectivity, a USB and accessories jack, steering wheel-mounted remote controls as well as air conditioning.

The Rio TEC 3-Door ships with the same stylish, 17- inch alloy wheels as its five-door sibling and is available in a choice of eight exterior colours.

Power comes from KIA’s popular and well-proven 1.4-litre Gamma engine, which features friction-reducing modifications and dual CVVT (continuously variable valve timing) to achieve a responsive performance and competitively modest fuel consumption.

With maximum output of 79 kW at 6 300 r/min and peak torque of 135 Nm at 4 200 r/min, the Rio 1.4 six-speed manual model accelerates to 100km/h in 11.5 seconds before reaching a top speed of 183 km/h.

A four-speed automatic transmission is available as an option. The KIA brand has become renowned for offering vehicles of exceptional design and quality but, above all, notable value for money and competitive pricing.

The Rio 1.4 TEC 3-Door is priced identically to its four- and five-door siblings at R241 995. KIA’s five-year/150 000km warranty remains standard, as does a 4-year/60 000km service plan.