Published: Oct 13, 2011

Kia Rio B-Spec will Arrive at SEMA

Kia has released the first official photos of their new B-Spec Rio racecar.

As B-Series racing gains a larger and larger foothold in the world of automotive competition, Kia wants to throw their hat in the ring with their new Rio B-Spec racer. The B-Series is the latest genre of small-car racing. It features near-stock compact cars equipped to handle the rigors of various aspects of modern track competition. Last year we saw the likes of both Honda and Mazda enter the fray, with their Fit B-Spec and Mazda2, respectively.

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This year they will gain some competition from Kia, the Korean carmakers and their Rio B-Spec. The Rio racer will be equipped with its stock variant 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine with direct injection that can put out 138hp. You can be sure that Kinetic Motorsports (the team that will prep the racer for action) will tweak the heck out of it for as much performance as possible within the rules of B-Spec racing. The Rio will also be equipped with a MacPherson strut front suspension and torsion beam rear axle, along with a roll cage, new suspension and extra racing equipment.

The Kia Rio B-Spec, dressed in its full racing livery, will make its debut on November 1st at the 2011 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada.