Kia Motors has recently introduced a new B-segment model based on the redesigned Kia Rio, named as the 2012 Kia K2 at this year’s Shanghai International Motor Show. The new Kia K2 small sedan is intended and engineered particularly for the Chinese market and obtainable in both four-door and five-door configurations. Kia’s comprehensive strategy of custom-tailoring products for local markets is illustrated by the K2. 2012 Kia K2 sedan will be manufactured at Dongfeng Yueda Kia’s plant in Jiangsu province (China) soon and go on sale in June whereas the five-door hatchback version of the K2 will follow in August. Take a look on the key features and technical specifications of the 2012 Kia K2 sedan.
Specs of 2012 Kia K2 Sedan:
Kia K2 will be provided in six trim levels with two options for engines: 1.4 liter gasoline or 1.6 liter Gamma petrol powerplants mated with either a manual or automatic transmission with a fuel efficiency of 6.1 liters/100km and 6.4 liters/100km respectively. A 1.4 liter four-cylinder engine can generate up to 107 hp while 1.6 liter can generate up to 123 hp. Kia K2 measures 4,370 mm (length), 1,700 mm (width), 1460 mm (height), making it longer, wider and lower compared to the previous generation Kia Rio which has the best ever wheelbase (2570 mm) of its category. The car has a luggage capacity of 500 liters; hence Kia is aiming to provide ample of interior space with the new K2. There ought to be sufficient space inside for four passengers with a wheelbase of 2,570mm.
2012 Kia K2 sedan is packed with a new design that borrows lots of styling thoughts from its larger brother, the K5 sedan (the Chinese version of the Optima). The interior features of the car include cloth-lined door panels, leather-wrapped steering wheel, a 3-cylinder supervision instrument cluster, engine start-stop technology push-button and also smart key. A “tiger nose” radiator grille, a two-tone rear bumper, new blend taillight, enormous air intake, swept-back headlamps, modern fog lamp design, character line for side, side air vent, etc are the design highlights of this new car.
Price details and competition:
Until now the price of the sedan has not been revealed but expected to be announced closer to the car’s official market launch in June. The K2 will have to compete with local models offered on the Chinese market such as the Toyota Vios, a model powered by a four-cylinder engine with an output of 107HP. Hyundai Accent is also considered to be the big competitor which comes with a 1.6-liter DOHC in-line four cylinder engine that gives 110 hp at 6,000 rpm and torque is 106 lb.-ft. at 4,500 rpm. This model’s engine distributes a fuel economy of 27 mpg City and 36 mpg Highway.
The K2 will contend in a fragment that accounts for 16 % of all latest car sales in China and at the Kia press conference at the Shanghai Motor Show, Vice Chairman of Kia Motors, Hyoung-Keun Lee stated, all-new models of China will offer the momentum desired by the company for continuing as one of China’s fastest rising automotive brands and even in terms of sales, quality and customer satisfaction to be one of the top carmakers in the local market.
