Kia hopes the three-door version of its new Kia Rio, unveiled at Frankfurt motor show this week, will steal sales from B-segment rivals such as the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo.
The car has been designed primarily for the European market, and is part of Kia’s plan to chase ‘conquest sales’ from its B-segment rivals.
Kia has chosen to produce a Rio three-door in response to the downsizing trend that has produced two distinct markets that have emerged for B-segment cars.
The Rio five-door is intended to appeal to buyers who are downsizing their car but want space and practicality with lower running costs. The Rio three-door is angled towards drivers who want a stylish small car.
The Rio three-door has the same key dimensions as the five-door that is already on sale: both cars are 4045mm long, 1720mm wide, 1455mm high and have a wheelbase of 2570mm.
Read our road test of the Kia Rio five-door variant
In most European markets the Rio three-door will be available with the same range of powertrains, equipment and options as the five-door variant, which means it will come with a choice of two diesel and two petrol engines.
The three-door Rio will go on sale during the first quarter of 2012. Kia expects it to eventually account for almost one-quarter of total Rio sales.
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