Kia has revealed the first official sketches of the next Rio – the new supermini due to make its global debut at the Geneva show.
The manufacturer has identified the car as the 'next big step' in the design revolution being masterminded by Peter Schreyer, the man previously responsible for the Audi TT.
The Rio, destined to be a major competitor for Ford's all-conquering Fiesta, is said to be longer, lower and wider than the existing model, and will benefit from a much sportier, coupe-like design.
Kia claims it is consciously targetting customers who value stand-out styling, and is promising a driver-orientated cabin with different interior trim options and a superior finish.
The Rio is currently the manufacturer's third biggest selling vehicle outside of Korea with more than 205,000 cars sold. Expect that number to go up if Schreyer's swept-back re-style is anything like as successful as the recently remodelled Sportage.