Kia Rio GT-Line added to range

Kia has added a GT-Line trim level to the range of its Rio supermini, following on from similar versions of the Kia Picanto city car and Kia Sportage and Kia Sorento SUVs.

The GT-Line Rio is powered by Kia's 118bhp 1.0-litre T-GDi turbocharged petrol engine and boasts styling cues including a chrome and black 'tiger-nose' grille, 'ice-cube' LED foglights, 17-inch alloys, twin exhaust tips, LED daytime running lights, chrome trim and a roof spoiler.

Inside, the car gets leather-and-cloth upholstery with grey stitching and a leather steering wheel, as well as metallic trim and a carbon-effect dashboard. Optional features include a seven-inch touchscreen, with sat nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, as well as a rear-view parking camera, heated steering wheel and heated seats.

Claimed fuel economy for the GT-Line's 1.0-litre engine is just over 60mpg and CO2 emissions are 107g/km. A manual gearbox is standard, but later in 2018 a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic will be offered, as well as the option of 1.25 and 1.4-litre non-turbo petrol engines.

Michael Cole, chief operating officer for Kia in Europe, commented: “The Rio is one of Kia’s best selling cars globally, and we have already sold more than 54,000 units of the new model in Europe after it went on sale in the first quarter of 2017. The new GT-Line specification enhances the car’s desirability and will help grow Rio sales in 2018 and beyond, thanks to its range of comfort and safety features, superb versatility, and confident, sporty styling.”

The Rio GT-Line will make its public debut in March at the Geneva Motor Show goes on sale here in the UK shortly afterwards.