Smooth Ride Rio
Smooth, so smooth, the new Kia Rio was sensational in the road test I recently performed in the driving seat of Kia’s latest Rio. From the onset, everything was sooth. The easy smooth action of the seat belt as the buckle slipped into its fastener. I was aware from that moment on, of how everything operated almost seamlessly. The gearshift slipped with ease, as if it knew where it was going, from first gear through to sixth, while the smooth clutch with ample travel, transferred the power generated by the quiet, unruffled engine. With six gears, the gear ratios can be a little closer, allowing a more precise range for each gear. However the real benefits are reached when you slip into sixth gear and the revs drop, the consumption drops and everything seems to become that much more smooth. If that were possible. “The new Kia Rio model is not an evolution of its predecessor, it’s a revolution. The new Rio is extremely attractive with a fresh feeling of sportiness – a car that people will want to buy for its new looks, generous features and environmental credentials,” said Ray Levin, CEO of Kia Motors South Africa. The same can be said for all the models in the Kia range, their attention to design and engineering and their leap in quality and refinement, adds immense value to the brand. Driving the Rio seemed calming to me. The effortlessness and smoothness of operation seemed to put me at ease. Available in two engine derivatives, the 1.2 litre ‘Kappa’ and the 1.4 litre ‘Gamma’, producing 65 and 79 kilowatts respectively. This is a car that has been under rated and looks set to make its mark in the motoring arena.