2017 Kia Rio coming to M’sia in Q2, 1.4L, 4-spd auto – new 5-spd transmission in the works, no plans for CVT

2017 Kia Rio coming to M’sia in Q2, 1.4L, 4-spd auto – new 5-spd transmission in the works, no plans for CVT

The 2017 Kia Rio will soon be in Malaysia, with the fourth-generation hatchback expected to arrive in the second quarter of the year. But, despite having a complete exterior and interior overhaul, the B-segment hatch will retain its mechanical package – a 109 PS/137 Nm 1.4 litre petrol with a four-speed automatic.

This is the same package offered in Australia as well (where a six-speed manual is also available), unlike the more advanced direct-injection 1.0 litre petrol turbo and 1.4 litre turbodiesel motors on sale in Europe (as pictured here).

The 1.4 litre, four-speed automatic combo is offered in the Continent too, albeit with lower outputs (98 hp, 133 Nm), meant for “drivers who spend most of their time in heavy traffic or who have physical disabilities which prevent them from driving a manual.” Other engine options get a manual gearbox as standard.

However, our colleagues over at paultan.org/bm were in Australia last weekend to drive the all-new Rio, and were duly informed by a Kia Motors Corporation (KMC) official that the company is working on a new five-speed automatic transmission. That will come later, though.

“We do have plans to upgrade the transmission to a five-speed unit for the Malaysian market, but it has not been finalised yet. We may implement the change if there’s a demand for it, but there is no timeline as of yet, and there may be a price hike when it does arrive,” said the KMC official.

Asked if Kia will follow the trend towards continuously variable transmissions, he answered that “Kia will continue to use conventional automatics for its engines, with no plans to change to CVTs.” Instead, the company will focus on improving its current set of engines and transmissions, according to the source.

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Hafriz Shah

Preferring to drive cars rather than desks, Hafriz Shah ditched his suit and tie to join the ranks of Malaysia’s motoring hacks. A car’s technical brilliance is completely lost on him, appreciating character-making quirks more. When not writing this ego trip of a bio, he’s usually off driving about aimlessly, preferably in a car with the right combination of three foot pedals and six gears.

 

Comments

  • komarad on Jan 31, 2017 at 11:17 am

    just bring the manual version to Malaysia..!! come on..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 1
    • no turbo no buy on Jan 31, 2017 at 1:14 pm

      As above

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
    • Operation Manager on Jan 31, 2017 at 5:44 pm

      P1 Iriz mantaaap.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
      • Kunta Kinte on Jan 31, 2017 at 6:16 pm

        nobody wants Iriz. It is a failure. Even Tun M confirmed it is a failure. Now, they are begging Uber to take their Iriz even cause yard full of unsold Iriz

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 13
  • they better bring in 1.0 turbo. without it, yawn~~ boring~

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 0
    • VLOOKUP on Jan 31, 2017 at 4:51 pm

      2012 Kia Sportage 2.0 $64,800,
      *Price when new $140k…70% Drop!!!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 8
    • Agree. People in this country prefer going the route of downsized forced induction petrol engines like what the Europeans are getting.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Robert de on Jan 31, 2017 at 11:36 am

    Niro de best!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • kadajawi (Member) on Jan 31, 2017 at 11:39 am

    “drivers […] who have physical disabilities which prevent them from driving a manual.”

    :D

    Anyway, that’s a rather nice looking interior there for this segment, and the layout seems sensible too.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 2
  • Moving Forward on Jan 31, 2017 at 11:39 am

    1.0T with 6MT should be offered as manual option here. I don’t mind it’s slightly pricier. In the end the more spiritual driving experience should put a grin on every face of ours.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • Anything But Toyota, Greedy Honda on Jan 31, 2017 at 11:47 am

    Kia, it is the 1980. They want the 4 speed automatic gearbox back!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 7
    • even lexus use 4 speed auto on their lc500h

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 5
      • CarBuyer on Jan 31, 2017 at 11:59 pm

        You must be using a different internet from me because a quick search on the one I’m using said the 2017 LC500 has the “World’s first 10-speed direct shift automatic”.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
    • pak atan on Jan 31, 2017 at 3:18 pm

      even Proton CVT 7speed.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 7
  • 4 speed? What is this 2010? That gearbox is just not acceptable in 2017. At least give a 5 speed box.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 5
  • Thank you for not going with CVT

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 4
  • nabill (Member) on Jan 31, 2017 at 12:46 pm

    a light,compact 5 speed auto makes so much sence than stupid cvt’s for compact cars….Kia has brains!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 2
  • another good thing about korean cars are they dont equip their cars with cvt. even a 4 speed auto feels more lively than a cvt car.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 2
  • Ollie on Jan 31, 2017 at 2:44 pm

    its a weak spot in the kia lineup.. this Rio. can sell the 4speed as much as they want, but market demands at least 5 speed. and the car is cramped and impractical. did well with the others in the range, but not this one

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
  • Sure got demand if u asked around on Jan 31, 2017 at 4:51 pm

    Are they sure there is no demand for 5 speed auto here?

    Never do markey survey izzit?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
    • camtakpro on Feb 01, 2017 at 1:25 am

      We all can easily show Kia no demand for 4 speed auto – just stop buying it. lol

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • kobealex on Jan 31, 2017 at 6:00 pm

    I guess what the KMC official meant was

    “I am gonna price it very high (make more money) with the new 5-speed, so if people cannot afford I might as well just throw in the old 4-speed”

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • horrayooi on Jan 31, 2017 at 8:16 pm

    Kia Forte first batch was fitted with 4 speed auto. The second batch was upgrade to 6 speed auto.Those who bought the 4 speeder auto really feeled unhappy, wrong move. So for your advice don’t buy the 4 speed auto. Kia definitely will not dare fix the 4 speed.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
  • cvt means more money for maintenance . That’s why carmaker turn back to normal auto transmission.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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