Strider
08-28-2003, 02:38 AM
*note: copied*
http://newsmotoring.news.com.au/her...5E21825,00.html
http://www.autotrader.com.au/storyimages/2334/KiaRioSport-Pac_12.jpg
Rio goes for Rex
By JAMES STANFORD
11jul03
IT MAKES people do double takes, but don't think the Sport-Pac Kia Rio can outrun the law. The new Rio may look like a Subaru Impreza WRX Sti, but it concedes 124kW of power and 211Nm of torque.
And it drives through two wheels, not four. The sales and marketing personnel at Kia's importer, Ateco Automotive, have come up with the kit and it has worked the brand's dealers into a frenzy.
The Sport-Pac adds $3000 to the price of a regular Rio ($14,990 drive away).
It comes with Pedders sports suspension along with the body kit and a non-functional bonnet scoop.
The sporty Rio runs the regular 71kW 1.5-litre engine and takes 15 seconds to go from 0-100km/h.
By comparison, the $55,130 four-wheel-drive turbo WRX STi that it mimics has 195kW and can dash from 0-100km/h in 5.5 seconds.
On the STi the scoop forces air into the intercooler to feed the turbo, but the Rio's scoop is just there to look cool.
The Rio also has what is described as "a World Rally Championship-style rear wing", even though Kia does not have much of a rally heritage, or even a car in the WRC.
Subaru spokesman David Rowley says: "We are confident that people will be able to distinguish between this car and the WRX. For a start, there is a slight difference in the acceleration figures.
"All I can say is that imitation is a serious form of flattery."
Kia says it did not intend to model its Sport-Pac on the Subaru WRX.
Kia spokesman Edward Rowe says: "It's just a coincidence."
He says the sporty Rio has been designed to mimic all rally cars, not just the Subaru.
"Subaru, Citroen and Ford all have cars in the WRC with wings and scoops like that, not just Subaru," Rowe says.
Kia is confident the Sport-Pac will be popular with young people who want a car that looks fast but who can't afford to buy or maintain a car such as a WRX or a Lancer EVO.
"This conversion won't affect people's insurance premiums and that is quite important for people who are 25," Rowe says.
"It is also very affordable."
Herald Sun
http://newsmotoring.news.com.au/dai...5E17002,00.html
Rio in drag fails to Impreza
27jun03
IT has made more than a few people do double and triple-takes – but don't pinch one and think you'll be able to out-run the law.
Given that the Rio is giving away 124kW, 211Nm, and that it drives through two versus the Subaru's four-wheel-drive and the chassis has nowhere near WRC development levels, Subaru is taking it as a compliment that Kia dealers are now able to offer a sport-kit for the Rio sedan that apes the WRX STi.
The sales and marketing personnel at Kia importer Ateco Automotive have come up with the new kit, which has apparently worked the breed's dealers into somewhat of a frenzy.
It's a little more than a skin-deep makeover designed to capitalise on the after-market desires of young people who like tweaking cheaper cars up themselves.
The bonnet scoop is purely for show – but the Rio Sport-Pac's ride height is lower and it has improved the handling, or so they say.
Although Kia doesn't have a rally program, it has a colour called Rally Blue Mica, which is the hue chosen for the Rio sedan in this guise . . . it's the beginning of the flattery for Subaru but by no means the end.
The dealer-fitted Sport-Pac adds 15x6-inch gold ROH Strada alloy wheels that look an awful lot like the STi rims, wearing 195/50 Bridgestone Potenza tyres.
Kia says it wants to keep the mods to a minimum for cost and insurance concerns but the suspension does get some attention, riding on Pedders Sports Ryder springs, which lowers the ride height and provides a more sporting suspension response, according to Kia.
The piece de resistance is the rear spoiler, done in the best traditions of World Rally Championship add-ons, but aerodynamic advantages have yet to be determined.
No word yet on a Kia WRC program but where the Korean has the $55,130 STi on the ropes is price.
The Rio Sedan currently carries a list price tag of $14,990 drive away – but those with WRC fantasies can have the Rio Sport-Pac for an extra $3038 plus fitting.
http://newsmotoring.news.com.au/her...5E21825,00.html
http://www.autotrader.com.au/storyimages/2334/KiaRioSport-Pac_12.jpg
Rio goes for Rex
By JAMES STANFORD
11jul03
IT MAKES people do double takes, but don't think the Sport-Pac Kia Rio can outrun the law. The new Rio may look like a Subaru Impreza WRX Sti, but it concedes 124kW of power and 211Nm of torque.
And it drives through two wheels, not four. The sales and marketing personnel at Kia's importer, Ateco Automotive, have come up with the kit and it has worked the brand's dealers into a frenzy.
The Sport-Pac adds $3000 to the price of a regular Rio ($14,990 drive away).
It comes with Pedders sports suspension along with the body kit and a non-functional bonnet scoop.
The sporty Rio runs the regular 71kW 1.5-litre engine and takes 15 seconds to go from 0-100km/h.
By comparison, the $55,130 four-wheel-drive turbo WRX STi that it mimics has 195kW and can dash from 0-100km/h in 5.5 seconds.
On the STi the scoop forces air into the intercooler to feed the turbo, but the Rio's scoop is just there to look cool.
The Rio also has what is described as "a World Rally Championship-style rear wing", even though Kia does not have much of a rally heritage, or even a car in the WRC.
Subaru spokesman David Rowley says: "We are confident that people will be able to distinguish between this car and the WRX. For a start, there is a slight difference in the acceleration figures.
"All I can say is that imitation is a serious form of flattery."
Kia says it did not intend to model its Sport-Pac on the Subaru WRX.
Kia spokesman Edward Rowe says: "It's just a coincidence."
He says the sporty Rio has been designed to mimic all rally cars, not just the Subaru.
"Subaru, Citroen and Ford all have cars in the WRC with wings and scoops like that, not just Subaru," Rowe says.
Kia is confident the Sport-Pac will be popular with young people who want a car that looks fast but who can't afford to buy or maintain a car such as a WRX or a Lancer EVO.
"This conversion won't affect people's insurance premiums and that is quite important for people who are 25," Rowe says.
"It is also very affordable."
Herald Sun
http://newsmotoring.news.com.au/dai...5E17002,00.html
Rio in drag fails to Impreza
27jun03
IT has made more than a few people do double and triple-takes – but don't pinch one and think you'll be able to out-run the law.
Given that the Rio is giving away 124kW, 211Nm, and that it drives through two versus the Subaru's four-wheel-drive and the chassis has nowhere near WRC development levels, Subaru is taking it as a compliment that Kia dealers are now able to offer a sport-kit for the Rio sedan that apes the WRX STi.
The sales and marketing personnel at Kia importer Ateco Automotive have come up with the new kit, which has apparently worked the breed's dealers into somewhat of a frenzy.
It's a little more than a skin-deep makeover designed to capitalise on the after-market desires of young people who like tweaking cheaper cars up themselves.
The bonnet scoop is purely for show – but the Rio Sport-Pac's ride height is lower and it has improved the handling, or so they say.
Although Kia doesn't have a rally program, it has a colour called Rally Blue Mica, which is the hue chosen for the Rio sedan in this guise . . . it's the beginning of the flattery for Subaru but by no means the end.
The dealer-fitted Sport-Pac adds 15x6-inch gold ROH Strada alloy wheels that look an awful lot like the STi rims, wearing 195/50 Bridgestone Potenza tyres.
Kia says it wants to keep the mods to a minimum for cost and insurance concerns but the suspension does get some attention, riding on Pedders Sports Ryder springs, which lowers the ride height and provides a more sporting suspension response, according to Kia.
The piece de resistance is the rear spoiler, done in the best traditions of World Rally Championship add-ons, but aerodynamic advantages have yet to be determined.
No word yet on a Kia WRC program but where the Korean has the $55,130 STi on the ropes is price.
The Rio Sedan currently carries a list price tag of $14,990 drive away – but those with WRC fantasies can have the Rio Sport-Pac for an extra $3038 plus fitting.