2017 Kia Rio (Hyundai i20 equivalent) teased ahead of Paris debut

The hatchback is expected to debut first at the 2016 Paris Motor Show.

Kia has announced that the fourth generation 2017 Kia Rio will make its world premiere on 29 September at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. Along with the announcement, the brand has dropped a couple of teasers of the 2017 Kia Rio as well.

The 2017 Kia Rio's exterior and interior design was led by the company's design centres in Germany and California. Of course, the main design centre in Namyang, South Korea had its input in the process as well. The Paris Motor Show will witness debut of the 5-door hatchback version, while 3-door hatchback and 4-door sedan versions should follow in the coming months.

The Kia Rio sits beside the Hyundai i20 in the South Korean auto giant's range of cars. Thus, while most would expected it to be based on the Hyundai i20's platform, it has been reported that Kia is going for an all-new platform instead. This new platform will spawn a new compact Kia crossover as well, although it's yet to be seen if it will be included in the Rio range or not.

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The 2017 Kia Rio is expected to be powered by the same 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol, 1.2- and 1.4-litre naturally aspirated petrol and 1.1- and 1.4-litre turbocharged diesel engines from the Hyundai i20 in Europe. Markets in North America and other regions are expected to get a 1.6-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine as well. Transmission choices should include 4-speed automatic, 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic. The Euro-spec 2017 Kia Rio will enter production towards the end of 2016.