Sources close to a dealership has hinted that Kia is planning for the India launch of Rio hatchback. It is most likely to be launched by August 2020.
Earlier this year, Kia Motors hinted that it will launch a sub-compact SUV, an MPV and a premium hatchback after the Seltos. We have confirmation on the Kia Grand Carnival MPV launching in India in February, but now we have some information on the Kia Rio as well.
The premium-hatchback is expected to be launched by August 2020. Right now, Rio is based on the platform of Elite i20, but both get different engines. The Rio hatchback in the US market uses a 1.6 Litre in-line four-cylinder petrol engine along with the i20’s 1.2 Litre unit.
Seeing the growing popularity of the Seltos, Kia has decided to further launch many new products. In the premium hatchback segment, there is a stiff competition between the Elite i20 and the Baleno. Kia aims to share the limelight with these two cars.
Also Read: Kia Sub-Compact SUV Codenamed QYI Spotted Testing in India!
We expect the 2020 India spec Kia Rio to be based on the upcoming Elite i20. The latter has already been spied testing in India along with major changes. The new i20 will receive fresh styling, new BS-6 compliant engines and new features as well.
No doubt the Rio will look completely different from the i20, but both will use the same platform and same set of engines. The new i20 will get BS-6 compliant 1.2 Litre petrol and 1.4 Litre diesel engines along with the new 1.0 Litre turbo-petrol unit from Venue.
Similarly, expect Rio to get these three engines with the same transmission options. Most likely, the India-spec version will be identical to the global-spec model. Further, expect it to be loaded with features to the brim, just like the Seltos.
Also Read: Five Changes That Will Come On The New 2020 Hyundai Elite i20
Later, Kia also plans to launch a subcompact SUV in India based on the Hyundai Venue. The SUV, codenamed as QYI, has been spied in India ahead of its launch by Mid-2020.
