2017 Kia K2 leaked – China sedan based on new Rio

kia-k2-1

Now that the 2017 Kia Rio has been unveiled, it’s only a matter of time before its derivatives get their time in the spotlight. Chinese automotive portal autohome.com.cn has obtained leaked photos of the first variant, the Kia K2 sedan – but before you get your hopes up, this isn’t the Rio Sedan that the rest of the world will receive, but a China-specific model sold only in the Middle Kingdom when it is launched there in November.

Still, this does give a good idea of what a new four-door Rio will look like, and it definitely does look promising. The donor car’s longer bonnet, lower height and more horizontal beltline gives the new K2 a much more cohesive design compared to its predecessor and the current Rio Sedan.

There are numerous styling differences compared to the Rio hatch. The front end has a more conventional design, with reshaped projector headlights flanking a larger “tiger nose” grille – with a conventional mesh rather than a flat gloss black cover. There’s also a much smaller lower grille, plus wider outer air inlets with fog lights and LED daytime running lights.

Along the sides, the window line has been reshaped, and the hatch’s horizontal character lines have been replaced by a rising strake down the flanks. Moving to the rear, the tail lights with L-shaped LED guides are joined together by a horizontal bar, while the black rear valence carries both the number plate and the fog lights.

The K2 is also straight-laced on the inside, with horizontal gloss black trim bisecting the dashboard. There are a few bits carried over from the Rio, however – the dual-meter instrument binnacle, three-spoke steering wheel and climate control panel with concave buttons have all been lifted wholesale. The seats also look to be the same design, although the leather upholstery has been trimmed differently.

According to reports, the K2 will forego the new Rio’s 1.0 litre turbocharged T-GDI engine in favour of carryover 1.4 litre and 1.6 litre naturally-aspirated engines, producing 107 hp and 123 hp respectively. The transmission is expected to be a six-speed automatic.

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Jonathan Lee

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

 

Comments

  • Encik Kunta on Oct 10, 2016 at 4:12 pm

    Looks like the Perdana at the back? Did Proton copy Kia?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 21
    • Did u get ur time travel in reverse?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 24 Thumb down 2
    • From which angle does it look like a Perdana? Are you blind?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
    • Betol Tak?? on Oct 11, 2016 at 6:52 am

      Proton & Tongkat = Jaguh kampung 100,000 car sales.

      Kia & Tongkat = Jaguh global 3 million car sales.

      Clearly you can see who is utilise or wasting tongkat.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 4
  • Encik Kunta on Oct 10, 2016 at 4:15 pm

    Amazing how Kia is doing so well around the world. the company is SAME age as Proton. Yet, it has been nominated in so many categories for World Car of the Year award.

    How can Kia sell MILLIONs of cars and Proton only sell 40,000 cars (2016 sales)? And that 40,000 also, mainly ordered by the Government?

    Parent of Kia, Hyundai, even better. Started 10 years earlier than Proton and yet, it sells 10 million cars per annum. Wow! 10 million vs 40,000 cars.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 33 Thumb down 10
    • Jangan copy paste on Oct 10, 2016 at 7:08 pm

      Seen the same post from you all times? Tak penat ke?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 4
  • passion on Oct 10, 2016 at 4:30 pm

    looks good!!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 0
  • vincy8925 on Oct 10, 2016 at 5:06 pm

    Without the tiger nose grills, it looks like a mini Lexus with a KIA badge to me. This Rio sedan is ready to take on C segment!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0
  • Mikey on Oct 10, 2016 at 5:11 pm

    There is a saying “IMITATION IS THE GREATEST FORM OF FLATTERY” or Copycat is the Best Compliments.

    With a looks to boot, equipment & tech/trusted 6 speed auto transmission(no CVT complaint), this K2 look alike will sell like hot cakes in China.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 0
  • justsomepissedoffdude on Oct 10, 2016 at 10:40 pm

    Now this is what a b-segment sedan should look like!! not like the ugly bezzas and personas that look like clown cars… hope the sedan model that comes here won’t be too different from this.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
  • megan musang on Oct 11, 2016 at 12:29 am

    rebadge as Naza Riang ok

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • mcm cantik..tapi lama lagi la nk masuk malaysia,, hope safety features still the best

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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