In a move that shows Kia has no intention of letting the momentum it has gained with the launch of seven new products in the past two years fade away, the South Korean automaker confirmed today the world premiere of two new models at the rapidly approaching New York Auto Show (April 22 – May 1).
The first global debut concerns the four-door sedan version of the 2012 Kia Rio, which was unwrapped in hatchback form at the Geneva Salon in March. The 2012 Rio sedan will be joined by the North American debut of the Rio5 hatchback.
Hyundai’s subsidiary said that both models will benefit from new engines boasting more horsepower and increased fuel efficiency, thanks in part to the use of Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) and idle stop-go technology.
“Despite the fact that both models are longer and wider than the models they replace, the all-new Rios are expected to achieve better than 40 miles per gallon on the highway,” Kia said in a prepared statement.
The second world premiere will be the refreshed for the 2012 model year, Soul crossover. According to Kia, the revised Soul features a series of styling and mechanical updates including reshaped headlamps with LED projectors and an upgraded engine with “significant power and fuel efficiency” gains linked to new six-speed transmission. The South Korean firm said the new Soul will be deliver close to 35mpg on the highway.
We’ll have full details on all of Kia’s new models at next week’s New York Auto Show.
2012 KIA SOUL SPY SHOTS
_______________________________________________________________________2012 KIA RIO HATCH – EURO-SPEC
