Detroit Show: new 06 Rio

[hjr]

I like it. Next Accent to be out later this year, also. Wonder if there (besides looks) will be nay "major" differences?

I will be trying to get a test drive of this new Rio this Summer.

you can see photos on
thecarconnetcion.com
or
detnews.com
and go to auto insiders

[bgluckman]

Well, the main difference between the new Rio and the old one is...everything. It's a whole new car.

The concepts in Detroit aren't actually finished off inside (they still use ungrained plastic for the dash...shiny!), but the materials that were production felt excellent--on the same level as the Spectra5.

Also of note are the 15" wheels...a nice touch for the segment.

Other news: new Sedona this fall, new Optima in December, production version of the Mesa sometime next year. There will be no LWB Sorento, however. According to the Kia VP I spoke with, "The Sorento is what it is: a five-passenger, body-on-frame SUV, and it will remain this way." Works by me!

[hjr]

thanks. the differneces I was referring to though were between the upcoming Accent vs new rio(read on detnews that accent will be new towards end of this year?)...I was wondering if it were basically a reskinned rio?

I read Scion is gonna rework the xA(good idea, but "ugly" in the ECHO style of front end).

I like the 5 door Suzuki Reno that has been out, but it needs more OOOMPH from 0-60 and less engine noise, btu I like the design(except the 1997 ford escort front end treatment).

Yeah, I'd like to check out either Accent or Rio...both.

Thanks for the show report.

[bgluckman]

Considering that the Optima and Sonata will be different in many significant ways, including the wheelbase, I suspect the Accent will be different as well. That said, I can't be sure.

Hyundai was more nebulous about their upcoming product plans at the show than Kia.

The xA will be replaced soon; the xB shortly thereafter. The thing about Scions is that they're supposed to have short lifespans to stay "hip" and "fresh," but of course, here's the thing--considering that the average age of the Scion buyer is 43, the hip and fresh thing isn't working out all that well.

As for the Reno...have you checked out the fuel economy numbers? Yeesh.

[hjr]

Hey, yeah, reno numbers for MPG are low for the class, especially with 126HP...I could see if it were maybe 160HP, like the tC.

Nearly 11 seconds, 0-60, Not Good! Elantra avg 0-60 is about 9.1 seconds vs 10.9 for Reno.
I do like 90% of the Reno's exterior, (minus grille/lights),
and interior is decent. I like the way it is a 5 door vehicle, but does not look like a "wagon". Elantra GT is ok, but too Saab-ish looking for me.

If Reno ever gets say Elantra 's 0-60 time, and MPG(and better engine noise control when revving up), and tweak it some, I will be interested.,
Of course, Kia seems to be going the "sporty" part of this HyundaiKia deal(according to TCC news for 21jan05) and hyundai "upscale".
Who knows: by 2010, we may even have
Decent Chinese cars(good for all people, keeps competitors on their toes, and prices in check).


Oh, from the autoshow, i like the Kia Mesa.
One guy at TCC said he liked Mesa as his favorite concept(rest were crazy over Chrysler stuff) and one guy liked Suabru, HyundaiKia's low-key approach to the News media events, and the introduction of signifcant vehicles, he said.
Seemed Most of the editors, etc, at TCC, well, they like Big Shiny things that are loud and noisey(as they liekd Chryslers over produced , "extreme" media events, and "wild" vehicles)....

Just 3 years ago, they were going there to put nails in Chrysler's coffin, so to speak, at the events, now they are the poster child of "media cool", it appears.

Nothing wrong with Chrysler....just seems that "objects with large engines, and odd shapes" are "better" than stuff like Sonata, Mesa, etc,(IMHO< NO, they are not), according to the Media.


See ya later.

[bgluckman]

For the record, the best concept at Detroit was easily the Jeep Gladiator IMO, followed closely by the Infiniti Kuraza, which looks better in person than anyone realizes, and is closer to production than anyone thinks...

The other Chrysler concepts (Firepower and Hurricane) left me yawning. That said, there weren't many exciting concepts this year to begin with, so I guess you take what you can get.

The Mesa's running gear was clearly production-ready, BTW, but the body and interior were merely concept car fantasy.

The new Sonata is very nice, but kind of yawn-inducing as well. It appears to be a technically very competent car, but one that fails to inspire. I guess that's what the market demands, though...

[hjr]

yeah, I like the current Sonata(I own 2004). The "new style" is not to my liking. I like the 3.3 liter/237hp idea a lot, but my 04 supposedly can do 0-60 around 8.5 seconds or so, and from my autoweek for 24jan(tomorrows news stand date, i have subscription, so get it 2-3 days early) says new 06 sonata v6 may get 0-60 in 7.7 seconds. yes, it is faster, but not "blistering" .

It is acceptable.

Rio is still interesting. i just thought they might have put say 115-120HP in it.
110HP is good, considering Scion's(minus tC) have 108HP, and sell well.

I am still awaiting the hcd-8 from last years autoshow(possibly next gen Tibby, for 07?).

Hey, I recall(or am I "dreaming") that hyundai's top models(prior to 99) , it seemed to me that BOTH passenger and drivers seats were adjustable(height, etc)?
Anyone?

I am curious ot see what they do with the Accent and Elantra's, also.

We shall see.

Oh, I read on TCC that Toyota wants to get rid of thaat ECHO, and replace it with 2 new small cars, as toyotas(why? shouldn't they be Scion's, perhaps, instead?).

[bgluckman]

Scions are supposed to be sold to young, hip people. The Toyota dealers who sell Scions are supposed to push us old farts into ECHOs and the like instead.

[hjr]

yeah, I know what ya mean. Rather have a tC, or even Rio, over an ECHO, lol. I drove one a few years back, and it was ok, just too odd looking, and oddly proportioned.
Saw a guy about 50-ish, today, driving a xB(or is it bX, I forget, must be getting old,lol)....he stared at my Sonata, and I stared back at the Scion....like a "wow, there's one of those in this town?"(from both of us).
Usually Neon's and trucks and cavaliers only town.


See ya later in the week, perhaps. See ya.