First look: Kia shrinks the MPV

KIA Motors Corporation has released images of the production version of its all-new mini-MPV known as the Venga ahead of its world debut at the Frankfurt motor show next month.

Due on sale in Europe later this year, but not under consideration for Australia, the Venga is claimed to have the interior space of a larger C-segment vehicle within a B-segment footprint.

Designed in Europe under the watch of global design chief Peter Schreyer, the Venga was previewed as the Kia No.3 Concept Car at the Geneva motor show in March and, in production trim, has emerged with a long (for this class) 2615mm wheelbase, 4068mm in overall length and a 1600mm high roofline to maximise cabin space.

The rear seat is also perched on rails and has a 60/40 split-fold function to further maximise either luggage space or passenger legroom.

European markets will be offered the choice of two 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engines, with each powertrain offering an idle-stop function.

Full specifications are still to be released, but higher-spec models will be offered with a panoramic sunroof.

The Venga will be built in Europe at a still-to-be-named production plant.

A Kia Motors Australia spokesman told GoAuto this week that the vehicle was not under consideration for sale here because it would not be built outside Europe and would not fit easily into the current line-up, potentially cannibalising sales of the seven-seat Rondo 7 people-mover.

“In our current line-up, we really don’t have room for a vehicle of that size – and the Rondo would be a very close competitor for it anyway,” the spokesperson said.

Kia Motors Europe marketing general manager Panu Vainamo said the Venga name was derived from Spanish and had a “modern, polished feel that fits well with European consumers' active urban lifestyles and also with Kia's core brand values”.