THE 2010 KIA VENGA is set to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show this week. An Australian debut however appears unlikely, Kia’s Jonathan Fletcher told TMR.
The production-ready Venga, based on the Kia No 3 concept revealed at Geneva earlier this year, features styling closely matched to the concept, the main visual difference being the simpler and more subdued ‘Schreyer’ grille.
The unique windscreen of the No 3 concept, the top of which ran diagonally from the A-pillar on the passenger side to the B-pillar on the driver’s side, is absent from the production Venga.
Designed, engineered and built in Europe, the Venga will be marketed to a suburban and inner-city demographic, taking on other ‘ultramini’ small cars such as the Ford Fiesta.
The Kia Venga is slightly longer than the Fiesta, at 4068mm, but with a more upright rear end, taller roofline and long wheelbase (2615mm), it will likely offer more interior and passenger space.
With the Venga’s 60/40-split folding rear seats, luggage space is increased, and a double-level boot floor adds extra storage options for small items.
The dramatic glass windscreen and roof of the No 3 concept may be gone, but the large panoramic glass moonroof - featuring tilt-and-slide opening - will give the Venga an open, airy feel.
The 2010 Kia Venga will be offered with either a 55kW 1.4 litre petrol engine, or a 1.6 litre diesel engine developing around 85kW.
The Venga will launch in the left-hand-drive European market later this year. Right-hand-drive markets such as Australia may miss out.
Jonathan Fletcher, National Public Relations Manager for Kia Australia, told TMR that despite the Venga’s good looks, it may not be the right car for Australia.
“I’m not sure that we would necessarily take it, if it was made available for right-hand-drive markets. We’d need to decide where it would fit; we have quite a big line-up at the moment,” Mr Fletcher said.
“It takes money to launch, market and position a car, and at this stage it’s hard to say that the Kia brand in Australia has a need for a new small car.
“It’s a good looking little car, no question about it. The Venga continues that brand statement that’s been lead by Peter Schreyer’s design, along with the big VG sedan soon to be launched in the Korean market.
“They all continue that strength of corporate design that Schreyer’s been developing, but we need to make sure the vehicles are the right ones for Kia in Australia,” he said.
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Looks good, Kia has come light years recently, especially with their new designs.
Kia has built a haonda jazz [nee fit] clone!
If they do bring it here [unfortunatly looks like no], lets hope Kia does not play funny-buggers with the price, the Soul’s price is so funny i near split my shirt in laughter fit, hope they have learned a valuable lesson, they are doing deals on Soul’s, but the axe needs to come out on the price tag BIG time.
Kia is a bargain basement brand, this is not a put down, but somebody has to be a bottom feeder and till the Chinese arrive, you are it Kia!
In USA the Soul is the SAME PRICE as a Rio Hatch, [~US$13.5k] here its over $5000 more….WTF, is it no wonder they sold bugger all of them, its the near same price as icon Fiat 500!
The Venga wants to sell for $14,990 not ONE penny more, alas its like the Ceed, made in Europe and will be to expensive to import, pity, this monobox design is a great idea, check out the haonda jizz and see what i mean!
Cheers,
F-0
Why do all the new Kia’s have such awful looking steering-wheels?
Falling over at the last hurdle, otherwise subject to price this could sell well here, they have done a very very good job.
Kia/Hundai group, most improved auto company on the planet!
Thanks
supermini? nothing beats a rocket powered smart
actually a forfour brabus would do, most people in the ‘premium mini’ market would be able to afford something more decent… something NOT in the bargain basement brand like FrugalOne mentioned