It’s Kia’s Meriva beater

By Will Mcmanus

09th February 2009

Kia is appealing to the people with a new MPV! The Korean company is preparing to unveil this all-new people carrier at next month’s Geneva Motor Show. This official teaser picture shows the firm is moving upmarket with the Vauxhall Meriva rival. And it’s the first Kia penned from scratch by design chief Peter Schreyer. Bosses hope its solid build and stylish looks will change perceptions of the brand.

Features such as its full-length panoramic glass roof and pronounced body creases should help. Kia claims that, despite its diminutive size, the new car will have lots of space as it gets ready to tackle the Meriva and Citroen’s new C3 Picasso.

As with the successful Cee’d family car range, the newcomer will be aimed squarely at European buyers. Underpinnings will be shared with the company’s Soul urban crossover, which goes on sale next month. Kia says the supermini-MPV
is production-ready, so it could be added to the line-up any time soon. 

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