Kia Trio Triumph In Euro Design Award

Kia Trio Triumph In Euro Design Award

A trio of Kia vehicles have triumphed in the prestigious iF DesignAwards recognising their outstanding design attributes.

The Niro hybrid crossover, Optima Sportswagon and the Rio hatchhave all received prizes for product design.

The newest success marks the eighth consecutive year in which Kiahas received at least one iF Design Award and the latest hat-trick ofprizes brings the manufacturer’s total number of iF award- winningmodels to 12.

Originating in the German city of Hannover in 1953, the iF DesignAwards are among the world’s oldest and most important contests toshowcase excellence in design. The 2017 edition of the iF DesignAwards attracted more than 5,500 products from 59 countries, with prizesbeing presented to winners in Munich at an exhibition of entries in March.

Peter Schreyer, President and Chief Designer of Kia MotorsCorporation, says, “These latest iF Awards are recognition for ourexcellent global design team.

“All three models, on which the Kia design centres in Korea,Germany and the United Stated cooperated closely, are highlyimportant for our brand.

“With the Niro and the Optima Sportswagon, Kia has pushed into newmarket sectors and has carved out a distinctive position in both segmentswith innovative, attractive design. With the new generation of the Rio wehave given one of our global best-sellers a significantly changed,more mature character.”

The Kia Niro, which is currently undergoing evaluation in New Zealand,marries the practical advantages and aesthetic appeal of a compactcrossover with a sleek appearance. This differentiates it from moreconservatively designed hybrid models, and gives the car a uniquepresence.

Success in the iF Design Awards for the all new Rio is very good news forthe New Zealand market,

as this model goes on sale later this quarter offering buyers a boldnew design and a modern, efficiently-packaged cabin with the latestinfotainment and technology. The styling features a longer bonnet andmore vertical C-pillar, which give the new car a more purposeful andaggressive stance, with a driver-orientated dashboard providing aninnovative and ergonomic design.

Previous winners of the iF Design Award include the Kia Sportage andKia Sorento SUV models and the Kia Optima sports sedan.

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