Kia Hits Paris with Stylish Sport Concept

Could the Sport Concept Be Kia's Next-Generation Rio RX-V?

There's no better word that can be used to describe the improvements that Kia has made over the past twelve months

Kia's Sport Concept hints at the next-generation Rio Cinco, what will be a critical model for the Korean automaker on its road to becoming one of the world's top five car manufacturers. (Photo: Kia Motors America)

than "amazing". It took Hyundai the better part of the past two decades to lift its image from lowest on the list to one of respect and credibility, but Kia has turned around in a quarter of the time (see automotive news for Aug 14, 2004: Industry Report: Kia to Phase in New Corporate Identity).

Of course, to be fair to Hyundai, most of Kia's turnaround has been on the back of the Korean giant. Hyundai purchased Kia

Hyundai's compact Getz donated the Sport's vital organs on the way to forming Kia's concept subcompact. (Photo: Kia Motors America)

lock, stock and barrel recently, and all of its new models are architecturally based on next-generation Hyundais. Not a bad position for the economy class car company to be in.

The compact 2005 Spectra, 5-door Spectra5 and upcoming Sportage compact SUV are probably the best examples of Kias modern, well-built vehicles, with other models such as the brand's Sorento SUV and Sedona minivan extremely impressive. Still, not all Kias have been updated to Kia's new standards, the subcompact Rio and Rio Cinco especially.