起亚第四代Rio将在10月初的巴黎车展亮相。除了熟悉的紧凑车造型外，这款B级车还有可能衍生出一款紧凑型跨界车。这款车不仅将搭载三缸和四缸涡轮引擎外，还将提供取自更大的Niro车型的插电混动系统。它包括一台1.6升自然进气引擎和一台电机，综合输出功率104千瓦/141马力，扭矩264牛米。如果该车采用Niro的混动系统，将包括一台1.56千瓦时锂电池组。如果真是这样，由于该车重量比Niro更低，因此其油耗也将低于Niro的74.3英里/加仑（百公里油耗约合3.16升）。作为一款插电混动车，它的标配水平将高于标准版车型。不过，不要指望该车会提供全轮驱动系统，新车仍将坚持采用前轮驱动。另外，全新Rio的车身尺寸将进一步扩大。

Kia subcompact crossover could go plug-in hybrid

Kia is currently putting the finishing touches on the fourth-generation Rio which will likely receive its world premiere in early October at the Paris Motor Show. Besides the familiar supermini body style, the B-segment model will also spawn a subcompact crossover, according to John Kim, head of Kia's Western Europe Team. The announcement doesn’t come as a big surprise taking into account almost three years ago Kia unveiled a concept for a baby crossover (pictured here.)

Besides the usual array of turbocharged three- and four-cylinder combustion engines, the Rio-based crossover could receive a plug-in hybrid setup adapted from the larger Niro. That one teams up a naturally-aspirated 1.6-liter gasoline engine with an electric motor to churn a combined output of 141 horsepower (104 kilowatts) and 195 pound-feet (264 newton-meters) of torque.

It remains to be seen whether the plug-in hybrid, city-oriented crossover will happen and if it will carry over the Niro’s hardware with the same specs, including the 1.56-kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack. If it will, it means the new hybridized subcompact crossover from Kia will likely be even more frugal than the 74.3-mpg Niro given the lower weight.

As it’s the case with just about all supermini-based crossovers, the new high-riding derivative of the Rio lineup will command a premium over the standard model. Don’t hold your breath for an all-wheel-drive version because the crossover will stick to the same front-wheel-drive layout.

A sister model of the Hyundai i20, the all-new Rio is set to grow in size based on what the spy photos are indicating.