Kia Venga Wins Design Award Before it Goes on Sale!

SYDNEY – December 7, 2009: Not yet on sale, but already new Kia Venga has won one of the most prestigious international design awards.

The stylish new B-segment MPV, unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2009 has been awarded the prestigious iF product design award that recognises design quality, as well as a number of other criteria, including workmanship, level of innovativeness and eco-friendliness.

Judged by an international jury of experts, the German-based iF Design Award recognised that the Kia Venga completely redefines the conventional mini-van profile of traditional MPVs.

“B-segment MPVs have traditionally been the type of vehicles purchased out of necessity – they are cars of function and practicality," explains Kia Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer. "Now all that is about to change. With the new Venga we have designed a car that will fulfil European consumers' practical requirements, while also being genuinely desirable and fun to drive.

“Venga is going to re-ignite interest among consumers in B-segment MPVs, by setting new standards for the class! The prestigious iF product design award is a welcome recognition of the success of our design strategy,” added Schreyer, who led Kia’s Venga design team.

Launched in 1953, the iF product design prize is awarded annually and has been recognised as one of the world’s most important prizes for excellence in design.

The award has its origins in the product shows ‘Die gute Industrieform’ (Good Industrial Design) initiated by Hanover Messe and is now one of the world’s largest design competitions. For the 2010 award, a total of 2,486 products were entered in 16 different categories.

The Kia Venga won the ‘Transportation Design’ category, which includes cars, ships, trains and planes.

The official presentation ceremony for the iF product design awards traditionally takes place on the first day of CeBIT, the world’s largest trade fair showcasing digital IT.

The Kia Venga will receive its award on 2 March 2010, the opening day of CeBIT, when the Hanover Exhibition Centre´s special feature will display all the iF award-winning products.

Designed, engineered and manufactured in Europe, the Kia Venga will be available across Europe with a choice of seven engines: two petrol and up to five diesels, generating between 128 and 75 ps. The most economical version, the Venga 1.4 CRDi equipped with Kia’s ISG (Idle Stop & Go) system, will have a CO2 rating of just 117 g/km and will use only 4.5 litres fuel per 100km.

The 4,068 mm long, five-door car has an exceptionally spacious cargo bay thanks to the two-tier boot space floor and sliding rear seats, giving a total volume of 1,253 litres