The competitive world of car sales requires automakers to get a little creative when it comes to advertising and promoting their brand. Kia, refusing to rest on their laurels, came up with a fun concept to promote the latest version of their all-new Rio sub-compact car.
The promotion was called the Great British Challenge, which required the driver to leave from Belfast, Ireland and travel through every country in the UK, with the final destination being the Kia cricket oval in London. Sounds fun, but the catch is that it has to be done on a single tank of gas.
The entire trip clocks in at 797 miles and begins on a ferry from Ireland to Scotland. This may seem like a ridiculous distance to complete on a single tank, but the new Rio runs on a diesel engine, which is not only better for the environment, but will run up to 800 miles on a full tank; the challenge will definitely put that claim to the test.
The first stop was Edinburgh, Scotland, and despite having travelled 135 miles, the Rio fuel gauge was still firmly planted on full. From there it was on to the Lake District in England, and even though one third of the challenge was completed, the tank remained at 3/4 full.
Skepticism started to set in when, after a couple more stops, the fuel gauge showed less than half a tank with still over 300 miles to go. The challenge ran through Wales before turning for the home leg, but with 60 miles to go to reach London, the fuel light came on, putting the claims of Kia at some risk. But it proved to be a case of the little engine that could, as the 2012 Kia Rio made it to its final destination with gas to spare.
There are few vehicles on the market today that could match that performance, and Kia have, once again, produces a car that is not only nice to look at and reasonably prices, but has a fuel efficiency that is essential nowadays given the high prices at the pump.
The 2012 Kia Rio also comes standard with the magical Kia warranty of 7 years/100.000 miles, an unbeatable combo that the Brits can get a hold of later this year.
2012 Kia Rio challenge video:
August 9th, 2011 at 10:10 pm
Wow, some hybrids can’t even do that!!!
August 9th, 2011 at 10:16 pm
he must remove the flags and reduce de car drag!
impressive economy for this diesel engine!
August 9th, 2011 at 11:22 pm
I presume that here, in Québec city, province of Québec, Canada, that we will not have the opportunity to buy that car with a diesel engine.
If so, I would appreciate to know what it wouldl be with a gasoline ( «essence» in french ) engine.
August 10th, 2011 at 5:30 am
Quebec 231 – official figures for the 1.6L GDI engine for the new Rio have not been released, but you can check out the figures for the new Accent and they will be close as it uses the same engine and transmission. They rate it at 4.9L/100 km on the highway.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:58 am
Phenomenal job, 2012 Kia Rio hatchback, on one tankful of diesel! Very nice.
August 10th, 2011 at 2:26 pm
They should have shown more of the car. I really would like to see this diesel in Australia for under 20 grand.
August 10th, 2011 at 3:13 pm
Too bad North America will never see the Diesel Engine option. Funny, VW and Mercedes Benz are both able to get the emissions under control to pass North American E.P. A. standards, why not HKAG?
August 10th, 2011 at 5:13 pm
Big mistake by not having that Diesel available here. Do you know what a car with 80mpg on the highway could put in Kia’s revenue if it was sold over here? Heck it may even outsell that Prius. After all, why pay $30,000 for the ugly Prius when you can drive about 80mpg in a stylsih, head turning Rio with heated seats, UVO, heated steering wheel, review camera, and because it’s not a hybrid it makes it cheaper. That 2012 Rio is one hell of a car one hell of a car indeed. Who do I need to talk to in order for that diesel to be sold over here? Come to think of it I don’t even think the Ugly Leaf can make it that far. That’ like driving from Ohio to Iowa with no fill up. Wait a second that may even bee further. Maybe from Ohio to Nebraska. But if it were to reach Nebraska it would just have entered that State. Lets see that’s 800mi with one tank. That’s far. Plus you have to drive at 60 mph (I guess that’s 100KM for Europe). And yeah Diesel is more expensive but a car that can make it to 800mpg…. IT’S WORTH IT!!! You would actually be saving money. If all I do is go to work and school and home and on weekends I go out, I could go to the gas station like once a month! Oh yeah don’t forget the stop and go engine too. So rush hour wouldn’t affact me.
August 20th, 2011 at 6:31 pm
Diesel mileage is impressive, but the extra cost of a diesel engine would be off-putting to a lot of US buyers looking for cheap wheels. Mileage on gasoline at (EPA estimated) 40 mpg is pretty good. Hard to say how the Rio will do in the US car market with oil prices going up and down every week. Maybe the Rio will sell well when gas is pushing $4 a gallon ($5 in California due to more fuel taxes) and not so well when gas in closer to $3. Many buyers are short-sighted and seem surprised when gas goes up and it costs $100 to fill up their SUV. Here’s a hint: buy the Rio no matter what gas costs this week.
May 14th, 2012 at 1:48 am
My Rio does this
308km / 37.16L = 8.29km per litre. ($2.65/L)
what you think