An improved Kia Rio, a wagon and a flagship SUV from Volkswagen, a revamped Skoda Kodiaq, as well as French crossovers came to the market in October
Kia Rio 2022
The main difference between the Kia Rio 2022 model year has become the appearance of a new brand logo, which previously already received the updated Cerato and Soul. The logo has lost its oval frame and now it is a simplified “KIA” emblem with enlarged letters, applied in a new font.
On top of that, Rio sedans and Rio X crossover hatchbacks get an upgraded media system with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto support and an up to eight-inch touchscreen display. This complex is available on the new top-of-the-range Luxe AT variant, which also includes a rear-view camera with dynamic lane markings and a light sensor.
The engine line-up remains the same. The Kia Rio is available with a 1.4-liter 100-horsepower engine or a 1.6-liter 123-horsepower motor. Both units are capable of running both a six-speed manual transmission and a six-band automatic.
Volkswagen Passat Alltrack
By October, Volkswagen had brought several new products at once. The first is the Passat Alltrack off-road station wagon, which has become an alternative to the updated standard sedan. Externally the car can be distinguished by redesigned bumpers with chrome inserts, redesigned LED lights with dynamic turn indicators, a new grille and silver rails. Plus, unlike the sedan, which is available with 150 and 190 bhp engines and front-wheel drive, the wagon has a 2.0-litre 220 bhp turbo engine working together with a seven-speed dual-clutch robotised transmission and a four-wheel drive system with clutch on the rear axle.
Equipment includes a 10-inch virtual dashboard, an infotainment system with an 8-inch display and navigator, and a wireless charging station for your smartphone. A three-zone climate control with anti-allergen filter is also available. Adaptive cruise control, matrix headlights and a panoramic sunroof are available as options. The new Passat Alltrack which will compete with Subaru Outback and Audi A4 Allroad.
Volkswagen Teramont
Another Volkswagen innovation is the redesigned flagship Teramont crossover, which has made its way after almost two years since making its debut in the US. As part of the restyling, the German brand’s biggest SUV has received narrower LED headlights, headlights with revised graphics, new bumpers and a different grille.
A new steering wheel, redesigned virtual dashboard and improved multimedia appeared in the cabin. The crossover features adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera, keyless entry, a navigation system and three-zone climate control as standard.
The Volkswagen Teramont is available with a choice of two engines. The starting unit is a 2.0-litre turbo four that develops 220 bhp. In addition, a 3.6-litre V6 engine with 249 bhp is included in the range. The engines work with an 8-speed automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive system.
Skoda Kodiaq
With the advent of autumn, Skoda began taking orders for the updated Kodiaq, which debuted this spring. Minor restyling was reduced to narrowed headlights and slightly modified interior where appeared, for example, a digital dashboard with modified graphics.
At the same time, the model remained without a modification with manual transmission and all-wheel drive, which was in the crossover with 1.4-liter 150-horsepower engine. In addition, at the launch of sales on our market will not be available with diesel units, which, however, later promise to add again to the lineup.
The updated Skoda Kodiaq can be ordered with a 1.4-liter turbo engine rated at 125 and 150 horsepower, as well as a 190-horsepower supercharged 2.0 litre unit. The basic equipment of the crossover now includes diode headlights, fog lights, electromechanical parking brake, dual-zone climate control and heated front seats. The ‘older’ variants have adaptive matrix headlights, virtual instruments, cruise control, light and rain sensors and keyless entry.
Genesis GV70
The main new product in the premium segment is the crossover Genesis GV70 which serial production was launched at the Kaliningrad Avtotor at the end of August and its premiere took place at the end of September. The second all-terrain vehicle of premium brand Hyundai will compete with German brands Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC.
The base engine of the South Korean model is a 2.2-liter turbodiesel producing 199 hp. Besides, the automobile is available with 2.0-liter 249-powered petrol “turbo four”, and also with 3.5-liter supercharged unit V6 developing 379 hp. All engines operate in tandem with the 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive system with front axle connection via a multi disc clutch.
Basic equipment of the GV70 includes all-diode optics, virtual instruments, the Drive Mode selection system, dual-zone climate control and an infotainment system with a 14.5-inch diagonal touchscreen display.
The most equipped variants have, for example, active cruise control, an active lane-keeping function, automatic valet, augmented reality navigation and a projection display.
Citroen C3 Aircross
Citroen dealers have started taking orders for the updated small C3 AirCross crossover that underwent a deep restyling at the beginning of the year. The model has received a completely redesigned front end, and in the cabin there is a new multimedia system with an increased to nine-inch touchscreen. In addition, a wireless charging station for smartphones, projection display, parking assistant, traffic sign recognition system, rear view camera and automatic light control are offered at extra cost.
The crossover is available with 1.2-litre petrol engines producing 82 and 110 bhp. The former works along with a 5-speed manual gearbox, while the latter is combined with a 6-speed automatic. Besides, there is a 1.6-liter 92 hp diesel engine in the range working in tandem with a manual gearbox. Drive is on front wheels only.
Peugeot 2008
Another Frenchman in the market is the new modification of the Peugeot 2008 compact crossover with the most powerful engine in the range. Top version of the model is equipped with a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder PureTech motor producing 150 hp and 240 Nm of torque. The unit acting together with 8-speed automatic transmission allows the crossover to gain “hundred” in 8.7 seconds. Declared fuel consumption per 100 km run in the combined cycle is 6.1 litres.
The list of options include six airbags, tyre pressure control, parking sensors, rear view camera, off-road driving mode selection system Grip Control, digital instrument panel, road sign detection and blind spot monitoring
