Kia céed GT Line with turbo engine and dual clutch
Imagine a world where the majority of Kia engines came turbo charged and gearboxes equipped with advanced dual clutch systems. Imagine a Kia Rio 1.0-litre triple turbo… In other markets Kia is able to offer these joys of turbo powertrains and transmissions but for reasons we really can’t explain (it’s not fuel quality related) attempts at getting them here in South Africa are falling on deaf ears.
So why are we excited? At the Geneva motor show, Kia will reveal its new 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder Kappa engine with clever things like direct injection, thermal management and single scroll turbo. The first model to be fitted with this engine will be the Kia cee’d GT Line but the Rio needs it more.
Not able to challenge the power produced by Ford’s 1.0-litre, but a happy runner-up, the Kappa engine makes a very exciting 88kW and 172Nm. There’s less C02 than Kia’s 1.6-litre turbo (we get that here in the Koup) with a near 15 per cent fuel improvement.
On top of the new engine, Kia will debut the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. For now though it seems only the 1.6-litre engine (98kW/280Nm) will have this option but naturally it is expected to become a regular feature on future Kia models. The gearbox is believed to reduce acceleration time by 5 per cent with a similar improvement in consumption.
For now though none of this stuff will be available locally but we’re optimistic that it won’t take long. When it eventually does arrive, the Kia brand as we know it is going to be completely revolutionised. I for one look forward to the Rio turbo.
