Oh Hi: 2012 Kia Rio

Wow this is quite the styling departure from the current Rio. Although this is the European version. Our version will likely have styling dumbed down.

With an overly aggressive front facia, and a European inspired back end, Kia is serious about making its typically forgettable Rio a formidable player against big wigs like the Ford Fiesta, Mazda2 and Honda Fit.

Right now the only information on power trains is for the European market where the’ll get a both gas and diesel variants including a 1.1 litre diesel that supposedly emits only 0.85 grams of CO2 per km. To put that into perspective, the Toyota Prius emits 0.89 grams of CO2 per km.

Rumours have the North American version pegged with a three cylinder engine if it does well in other markets, which it likely would.

Hit the jump for a rear shot snap.

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Kia Forte Koup Performance Package Brought to You By the Letter ‘R’

Kurrent Kia Koup owners kan now get an exclusive Kanada-only option!

Seriously, we’re not fan’s of changing the spelling of words. It’s spelled ‘Coupe’, Kia.

Anyway the new package will be called the ‘R’ package, which is also annoying since many manfacturers seem to overuse the letter. Think Acura’s Type-R, Volvo’s S60 R, or Volkswagen’s newly introduced Golf R.

The new package won’t give you any extra power, but it will add stiffer springs a strut tower brace, performance exhaust and a drop in performance air filter which should help in the handling department.

The appearance gets tweaked too with an added rear spoiler, side skirts, and 18 inch Europa wheels with Yokohama S-Drive tires.

If you already have a Forte Koup and want the R package, no worries, you are still able to add it on at your local Kia dealer. The R package will officially be made available in mid May.

World Car of the Year 2010: Top Ten Entries Revealed

What is the best car in the world? It’s all relative and subjective and thus, impossible to determine. But that doesn’t stop automotive journalists from trying.

52 automotive journalists representing each continent in the world (except Antarctica – Penguins can’t legally drive yet) have gotten together and submitted their top ten choices for World Car of the Year in two categories: Car of the Year and Performance Car of the Year. There will then be three finalists chosen for both categories.

Find out what car made the top ten and what our pics are for the finalists after the jump!

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Oh, Hi: The 2011 Kia Sportage Shows Its Face

Well this is quite an improvement.

The Kia that unfortunately started the whole “AAAYYYEEEEE!!!!” campaign looks way more mature and grown up.The previous generations were, um, less than inspiring in terms of design and performance. But at least it costed less than it’s competition.

The Sportage at least fixes the styling problem and now resembles the rest of its family with a front facia similar to the Sorrento and even the Forte.

This new Sportage is expected to get the same 2.4 litre engine found in the new Hyundai Tucson, but should undercut its DNA brother in the price category, without sacrificing too much style.

In fact, we’re going to go on record as saying it looks even better than the redesigned Tucson.

More pics at Autoblog.