Motor

Sporty all-new Kia Rio debuts in Sri Lanka

Kia, one of the most in-demand automobile brands in Sri Lanka, has excited the appetites of fans further with its 2012 Rio, an all-new sporty coupe-like hatchback that will soon be on roads in Sri Lanka.

The first batch of the fourth generation Kia Rio arrived in the country in late December and was displayed at a media preview at the showrooms of Kia Motors (Lanka) Ltd., the sole agent for the Korean car maker.

A dynamic interplay of bold and striking automotive design, sophisticated safety features and top performance credentials that champion the cause of environment-friendly driving set the new Kia Rio apart from other cars in its class.

Kia Rio in Colombo

The five-door edition of the new Rio is a revolutionary enhancement from its third generation predecessor in many aspects including design, performance, technologically advanced options and safety and environment-friendly features.

"The new Rio is a multi-talented car with a versatile appeal due to its strength in all key aspects," Mahen Thambiah, Managing Director of Kia Motors (Lanka) Limited said. "While being a B-segment vehicle it possesses capabilities and amenities available in much larger and higher-priced European cars and is therefore highly cost-effective as well as an environment-friendly premium option."

The distinct design identity synonymous with Kia features prominently in the new Rio. Its wide stance and short overhangs give it a strong, youthful identity while its sleek and sophisticated profile emanates flair from every angle. Its low roof line lends it a coupe like silhouette which together with the LED side repeaters, LED positioning lamps and LED rear combination lamps further accentuate its attractive aesthetic properties.

The bold but elegant appearance is strengthened by its distinctive feature line which adds tension to the flanks and accentuates the dynamic stance of the car. The careful balance of window graphic, wheelbase and overall proportion give the car a refined and premium presence.

The engine of this auto sensation complements its aesthetic appeal with great functionality. The new Rio available in Sri Lanka will have a Gamma 1.4 Gasoline Engine which has been geared to substantially increase fuel efficiency and power and reduce emissions.

The Gamma Engine delivers displacement of 1,396cc, maximum power of 107ps at 6,300 rpm and maximum torque of 13.8kg-m at 4,200 rpm and features single continuously variable valve timing, a silent steel timing chain and an offset crankshaft.

The target carbon dioxide emission figures for the new Rio, the class leading figures in this aspect, start at just 85g per kilometre.

Made from high pressure die-cast aluminium to decrease weight and thereby to lower fuel consumption, the durable engine of the car contains a rigid ladder-frame to lessen vibrations and ensure quiet and smooth running.

In addition to the engine, extensive measures to shed weight have been applied across a broad range of components. As a result, although new Rio is a larger car than the third-generation model with overall length of 4,045mm, width of 1,720mm and height of 1,455mm, its weight-gain has been kept to a minimum.

Safety features of the highest order back enhanced performance and design properties of the new Kia Rio. Its structural framework has been designed in a manner that absorbs impact in both frontal and side-on collisions. A high tensile steel sub-frame has been installed underneath, reinforcing where strength is needed the most.

In addition, the EBD/ABS system of the new Rio applies the exact amount of brake pressure to each individual wheel, assisting the driver of the car to maintain control when applying brakes.

Hyundai appoints Designer Christopher Chapman

One of the fastest growing car companies the South Korean automaker Hyundai. The company began its brand revitalization a few years ago with bold designs and improved styling that also won them several awards.

The Hyundai Genesis luxury sedan was named 2009 North American Car of the Year, the first for Hyundai. The Genesis has received a number of well-recognized automobile awards worldwide.

The South Korean group continues to inject its brands with foreign designer and the latest to join is BMW's Christopher Chapman who was appointed as the Chief Designer for the Hyundai Design Center in Irvine, California. Chapman will be directly responsible for new vehicle and concept design.

"With over 22 years of experience in the industry working on esteemed automotive brands, Chris provides a level of talent that will help our design portfolio," said Head of Design, Senior Executive Vice President Hyundai Design Center SukGeun Oh. "We are thrilled to have Christopher Chapman as chief designer for Hyundai and look forward to continue the strong momentum of our vehicle designs."

Chapman began his career in 1989 at the Isuzu Technical Center of America. His XU-1 model won the Best Concept car at the 1993 Tokyo Motor Show.

The following year Chapman joined the BMW Designworks studios in California. His first design to emerge as a production vehicle was the game changer X5 Sports Activity Vehicle, a car that took the BMW brand into new segments. Chapman also designed the X Coupe Concept. Next, Chapman penned the BMW CS1, the base of the current 1 Series Convertible. Chapman is also credited with the first-generation BMW 1 Series hatchback, known internally as the E87, which wasn't sold in the United States.

In 2002, Chapman became the Director of Automotive Design at DesignworksUSA. He has been in-charge of recent models like the Z4 sports car and the redesigned X3 crossover. Recently, he was appointed head of the transportation department at DesignworksUSA, which serves clients in areas outside the car industry, since 2008. Among other projects the department designs aircraft interiors, yachts and metro trains.

"Christopher Chapman is an outstanding personality to the design team at HATCI," said president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America John Krafcik. "We are proud to have such a talented individual to lead the team of dedicated designers at HATCI that will continue to develop innovative vehicles for both the United States and global auto markets."