Kia unveils 'ultra-clean' three-door Rio 19 | 09 | 2011

KIA HAS LAUNCHED the three-door version of its Rio, and the Korean company is confident it will steal sales from B-segment rivals such as the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo.

Designed primarily for the European market, Kia also hopes to take advantage of the current trend for downsizing which has produced two distinct markets for B-segment cars.

While KIa's five-door version of the Rio is aimed at buyers who are downsizing their car but want space and practicality with lower running costs, the three-door is angled towards drivers who want a stylish small car.

The three-door boasts exactly the same dimensions as the five-door: 4045mm long, 1720mm wide, 1455mm high, and both have a wheelbase of 2570mm.

Kia puts new soul into its Soul

As with the five-door, the three-door will be available with a choice of two diesel and two petrol engines.

In fact the new Rio is the cleanest non-electric vehicle in the world – emitting just 85g/km CO2 and offering 88.3mpg in 1.1 CRDi ‘1’ guise.  The extremely efficient three-cylinder diesel engine is aided in its quest to deliver ultra low CO2 emissions by longer gearing, a stop-start system, low-rolling resistance tyres and aerodynamic tweaks to reduce drag.

The three-door Rio will enter Kia's Scottish showrooms during the first quarter of 2012, and Kia expects it to eventually account for almost 25% of total Rio sales.

Read our full roadtest of the latest Kia Sportage

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Jim McGill