UPGRADED VERSION OF KIA RIO TO BE ROLLED OUT

The sedan will be available with a six-speed manual or a four-speed gate-type automatic transmission, while the hatchback will come with a four-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission CONTINENTAL Associates, the sole authorised distributor of Kia four-wheelers in Nepal, is all set to roll out an upgraded version of the Kia Rio sedan and hatchback. According to the company, the new models are being introduced following overwhelming response and increase in demand among domestic car buyers. “The new Rio cars will come with full options and feature automatic transmission, air bags and sunroof,” said Chatra Balayer, senior manager at Continental Associates. According to the company, the vehicles will be imported directly from Kia Motors’ headquarters in South Korea. “The new Kia products being introduced in Nepal are of international standards and are equipped with features that have been tested and proven for the American and European markets,” said Balayer. The vehicles are equipped with safety features like airbags and anti-lock brakes and are powerful and comfortable to drive. Both the new models are equipped with 1.4-l Gamma inline four-cylinder, 16-valve, DOHC gasoline engine with Continuous Variable Valve Timing (CVVT). This engine, according to the company, is capable of producing a power output of 107 hp at 6,300 rpm and a peak torque of 14.0 nm at 4,200 rpm. The sedan will be available with a six-speed manual transmission or a four-speed gate-type automatic transmission. As for the hatchback, it will be available with a four-speed automatic transmission or a sixspeed manual transmission. The sedan and the hatchback have similar cockpits. According to the company, both the models have a longer wheelbase compared to the previous version. Besides, higher strength steel makes up 83 percent of the body that helps to improve torsion rigidity by 31 percent. The new Rio hatchback comes with a thinner “tiger nose” front grille, the lower fascia intake cut-out size is larger and the headlights have a four-lens design while the sedan features a two-lens design Both the cars will have spacious luggage areas. The hatchback’s cargo bay has a 15 cu ft capacity while the sedan offers 13.7 cu ft. The rear seat, which splits 60/40, can be folded to increase cargo space. Kia has powered both the Rio variants with MacPherson struts with stabilizer front suspension and torsion beam axle rear suspension. The Rio hatchback sports 17-inch alloy wheels, bigger front disc brakes and drum brakes at the rear, leather seats, leather door trim, leatherwrapped gearshift knob, alloy pedals, steering wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls, trip computer, supervision cluster, glove box cooling, an audio system (radio, CD, MP3, USB ports, iPod cable, Bluetooth) with six speakers, smart key with push start/stop button and keyless entry with alarm, rear parking assist and folding and heated power outside view mirrors with side repeaters. According to Balayer, the new Rio is more comfortable compared to competing vehicles available in the Nepali market. “We feel that there isn’t any competitor to the Rio as Indian manufacturers haven’t incorporated features like that of the Rio and those from Japanese manufacturers are costlier,” he said. Continental Associates stated that both the sedan and the hatchback would be priced in the range of Rs 3.2 to Rs 3.8 million. Continental Associates sells Kia cars from major cities like Pokhara, Narayanghat, Butwal, Nepalgunj, and Biratnagar.