New 2012 Kia Rio and Soul feature 1.6L GDI engines; stop-start on the Rio
21 April 2011
Kia Motors America (KMA) staged the premieres of the all-new 2012 Rio sub-compact sedan and the upgraded 2012 Kia Soul at the New York International Auto Show. The 2012 Rio features all-new ISG (stop-start) technology and fuel economy of up to 40 mpg US highway.
Available in the USA with a choice of three trims—LX, EX and SX—the 2012 Rio is powered by a 1.6-liter GDI four-cylinder engine with the option of either a six-speed manual transmission or six-speed automatic. The gasoline direct injection engine delivers 138 hp (103 kW) while maintaining a fuel economy rating of 30/40 mpg (city/highway). Rio also offers ISG technology, new to the Kia line-up.
The 2012 Rio platform is longer, wider and lower than the previous generation. Employing high-tensile-strength steel (63%), Rio’s lightweight design offers increased torsional stiffness for improved handling, ride quality and refinement, plus increased crash safety capabilities while reducing overall weight.
The 2012 Soul offers horsepower increases, new six-speed transmissions and up to 34 mpg highway. A new 1.6-liter GDI engine produces 135 hp (101 kW)—an 11% increase in horsepower from the previous engine. A new 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is also available with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission.
Kia calculates that fuel economy for the 1.6-liter is 28/34 mpg (city/highway), three miles per gallon more than the previous engine.
These guys continue with best specs, warranty, and value.
Posted by: kelly | 21 April 2011 at 07:05 PM
The Rio is a crappy little car and people know that. The ad campaign for the Soul is brilliant, the hamsters with hoodies gets right to the image. This is what sells product folks, the logic says specs, the emotion says image.
Posted by: SJC | 22 April 2011 at 10:10 AM