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2010 Kia Venga (No 3 Concept) To Debut At Frankfurt Motor Show, Aus Debut No Certainty

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, feat


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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