was in amongst the frenzy of the press pack when Kia Motors unveiled their all-new Venga at the 63rd Frankfurt International Motor Show, writes Padraic Deane.
I usually try to avoid these instances, preferring to arrive when the main pack have moved to the next launch location. That way you can have a good look over the new model. So exit stage left, and I called back to the 'Venga Zone' a couple of hours later.
I sat into the spacious Venga, which is a dynamic looking B-segment small MPV. The first thing you notice is that the seats are really excellent. They looked great and felt even better - very supportive and comfortable, indeed more so than many that you will find in much more expensive cars.
Kia’s all-new Venga B-segment model has a wheelbase that is extra long for its class, and a high roofline to maximise cabin space. It is really well packaged with levels of interior space typical of a larger C-segment vehicle, but within the confines of the B-segment.
Kia rightly gives mileage to the fact that the Venga was designed, engineered and manufactured in Europe. It will be equipped with a sliding rear seat that also folds flat into the floor to create a spacious cargo bay and, depending on model and specification offered in various countries, a tilt-&-slide all-glass panoramic roof.
The Venga line-up will be available with Kia’s fuel-stretching ISG (Intelligent Stop & Go ) technology and will comply with Euro 5 emission standards. It will be marketed exclusively in Ireland with the 1.4-litre diesel with a Band A road tax.
The Kia Venga will arrive here before the end of this year.
Other new Kia news
The Venga headed an impressive Kia line-up that included the re-engineered and re-styled Kia cee’d, the all-new Kia Sorento SUV (with up to seven seats ) and 2.2 litre engine, the new ‘EcoDynamics’ sub-brand and the first showing in Europe of Kia’s new Forte LPI Hybrid sedan.
“Kia’s exciting presence at Frankfurt will embody five premieres and highlight our brand’s stylish design, creative engineering and world-class build quality, for all the world to see,” enthuses Mr Hyoung-Keun Lee, President of Kia Motors Corporation.
“Throughout the current global economic downturn Kia products have maintained their appeal to consumers and enabled us to increase our market share in many regions. I am confident that next year in Europe, the new Venga, new cee’d and new Sorento will spearhead a successful sales drive to attract more newcomers to our brand,” added President Lee.
