First look: the all-new Kia Rio

Be still your beating hearts: Kia will unveil the all-new, fourth-generation Rio at next month's Paris Motor Show.

We have no concrete information, other than the renders you see above. But you will see that it takes the clean, sober design of the current Kia Rio and adds a smidgen of aggression.

Kia tells us it has been designed in both California and Germany, and there are longer front overhangs, a bigger bonnet, and a more upright C-pillar. We are promised lots of tech, lots of practicality and "more assured and engaging ride and handling characteristics". The current one isn't too shabby in this regard.

It's slated for an end-of-2016 production date for Europe, though we don't have any specific UK timings. FYI, Kia shifted some 473,000 Rios across the globe last year, making the little car its biggest global seller.

Will this new one be able to outshine the class-leading Ford Fiesta? Will Kia produce a Rio to rival the Ford Fiesta ST? We shall have an answer for you in due course.

In the meantime, read our review of the 1,479bhp Koenigsegg Regera.