Kia Rio Hot Hatch To Join Cerato In GT Range

Kia’s Rio is set to get the GT treatment from the Korean carmaker before joining the hot hatch market from around 2018.

UK mag Autocar reports that the new Rio variant could have the goods to tackle the category’s established players such as Ford’s Fiesta ST, Peugeot’s 208 GTI and the Volkswagen Polo GTI.

The finer details - such as engine and transmission options - remain a mystery for now, but a 1.6 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing around 135kW has been rumoured.

However, Kia fans may only have to wait until this year’s Paris Motor Show to see the Rio GT in the metal.

Styling will reportedly draw from Kia’s Stinger and GT concepts, combining selected lines into the Rio’s hatch body. Whether this includes the three- or five-door Rio, or both, remains to be seen.

Hot Hatches