PARIS MOTOR SHOW: 2015 Kia Rio

Photos and details of the new-look 2015 Kia Rio runabout have emerged ahead of its Paris motor show debut, the Korean company's best-selling model coming in for a bit of nip-and-tuck.

The good news is that on top of new-look front and rear styling and upgraded interior materials, the circa $15,000 Kia Rio also benefits from technology upgrades, including digital radio and more advanced satellite navigation.

The bad news is that Australian customers won't be offered either sat nav or digital radio when the new car's split launch occurs in November 2014 and January 2015.

Kevin Hepworth, Kia Australia General Manager, Media and Corporate Communications, told motoring.com.au that European models get digital radio, but "not in our cars yet unfortunately".

"I can't think why there wouldn’t be an opportunity in the not too distant future to have an availability for digital radio," he said, but didn't put a timeline on its availability.

"We're not taking sat nav in Rio either, because like Pro_cee'd it's not available in markets outside Europe. That's something we're keen to change going forward," he explained.

What customers will see on the updated Rio light car is a new take on the Korea brand's 'tiger-nose grille' which together with a new front bumper and integrated fog lights delivers a sportier, more European appearance than before.

Unsurprisingly, the Kia Rio is a strong seller in Europe, and the rear end has also been given a once-over, with a touch of Volkswagen about the greyed-out lower bumper section. New-look alloy wheels available in 15, 16, and 17-inch diameters are new and two new colours have been added – Urban Blue and Digital Yellow.

Although no images were supplied at the time of writing, Kia says the interior of the new car features new chrome elements around four air-vents in the dashpad, and a new-look centre-stack around the stereo. Man-made grey leather upholstery will be offered on top-end models.

Both three- and five-door models will continue the S, Si, SLS and SLi range. The S and Si models coming in late November, followed by the sporty SLS and SLi models in the second half of January, the latter to coincide with the Australia Open tennis grand slam tournament, of which Kia is the principle sponsor.

Exact specifications for the model range is not yet clear, but Hepworth confirmed that customers can expect "more features" on some models.

The two model engine range will return, with 1.4- and 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol units on offer pumping out 79kW and 103kW respectively. The bigger 1.6 engines will again be available with six-speed autos, while the 1.4 will retain a four-speed auto cog-swapper.

Six-speed manuals are offered too.

"We will again get six-speed autos on 1.6-litre cars," said Hepworth, "and high-level models get a better quality of interior, with upgraded soft touch surfaces and other materials in the car."

All European models are available with Kia's second-generation engine stop/start technology, designed to save fuel in heavy traffic and in urban areas. However much like the lack of digital radio and sat nav, the fuel-saving tech won't be offered at launch in late 2014, early 2015.

Pricing for the new 2015 Kia Rio range is yet to be confirmed, with minor price increases possible. The current range starts at $15,290.

All the latest news and video from the motoring.com.au team at the Paris motor show

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