2013 Special Edition Kia Rio 5-Door SX For America

Kia Motors America is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 755 dealers throughout the United States and serves as the “Official Automotive Partner” of the NBA and LPGA. In 2011, KMA recorded its best-ever annual sales total and became one of the fastest growing car companies,in the U.S. Kia is poised to continue its momentum and will continue to build the brand through design innovation, quality, value, advanced safety features and new technologies.

Kia has decided to produce a limited production run of 2013 Rio SX hatchback models equipped with six-speed manual transmissions, undoubtedly responding to the demands made by consumer interest.

The 2013 Rio 5-door SX is now offered with a 6-speed manual transmission (M/T). Arriving in dealerships in limited quantity with a MSRP of just $17,900.

The Rio SX M/T is inspired by Kia’s championship winning motorsports efforts and the recently-introduced Rio B-spec race car. KIA Enthusiasts should be aware of the fact that as less than 500 Rio SX M/Ts will only be initially offered for sale during the 2013 model year. So get ready for the Que!

The Rio 5-door SX M/T comes standard with a class-leading 138 HP,4-cylinder double- overhead cam gasoline direct-injection (GDI) engine featuring dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) and fuel economy of 30-mpg city/40-mpg highway.

The Rio 5-door SX M/T is available in Signal Red and Electronic Blue and comes with LED taillights, front LED accent lights, and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the Rio SX M/T adds a seven-inch navigation touch screen with a SiriusXM Traffic system and push-button start with Smart Key.The interior is handsomely appointed in sporty black knit cloth.

Other standard SX features include sport-tuned suspension, rear camera display, steering-wheel mounted audio controls, Bluetooth wireless technology, and an AM/FM/CD/ MP3 SiriusXM Satellite audio system.

“The Kia Rio 5-door SX M/T is perfect for driving enthusiasts who simply won’t compromise when it comes to certain features,” said Orth Hedrick, Director of Product Planning at Kia Motors America (KMA). “Our customers and the automotive press have been asking for the Rio 5-door SX with a manual transmission, and we’ve listened. As the Kia brand becomes more and more relevant to enthusiasts, we’ll continue to evaluate consumer demand and consider bringing other high-spec manuals to market.”

In addition to its championship winning professional road racing program, Kia this year entered the new B-Spec grassroots racing series, and the Rio SX M/T offers buyers the sporty driving dynamics that transfer from the track to the street.

To advance from driving enthusiast to racer,customers can purchase a 2013 Rio 5-door M/T (LX Trim) and a B-Spec performance kit, available at a cost of $14,000 from Kia’s racing partner, Kinetic Motorsports. The kit includes everything needed to transform the street-loving Rio 5-door into a proper racecar: pre-cut roll cage, racing seat, quick-release steering wheel, racing harness, race shocks, lightweight wheels, spec-series tires, oil sump pan expansion kit and complete build instructions.