Award Winning Engine Available in Kia Rio

SYDNEY – Dec 15, 2011: The 1.6-litre Gasoline Direct Injection (GDi) Gamma engine available in the new Kia Rio has been named one of the ‘Ward’s 10 Best Engines’ by WardsAuto World.

The 1.6L Gamma GDi petrol engine is fitted to both the midrange Si and top of the range SLi Rio models which went on sale in Australia in September.

The Gamma is the smallest Kia engine yet to benefit from the application of GDi (Gasoline Direct Injection) technology and develops 103kW at 6300rpm and 167Nm at 4850rpm – a 13 per cent improvement in power over a conventional Gamma 1.6L MPI fed engine.

The Rio line-up also includes the base model Rio S which comes with a 1.4L MPI 4-cylinder petrol powerplant with DOHC and CVVT and produces 79kW of power at 6300rpm and 135Nm of torque at 4200rpm.

In its 17th year, the “Ward’s 10 Best Engines” list recognises the latest powertrain technologies that are affordable and available to most consumers. During their evaluations, Ward’s editors consider engines that increase horsepower and torque numbers, sound appealing, and integrate well with their respective vehicles.