This is the Kia K2, a small sedan for the Chinese market. And it looks like it’s the bastard love child of the new Rio and Optima!

IT is actually a sedan version of the Rio, localized for the Chinese market in collaboration with Kia’s joint venture partner, Dongfeng Yueda. It’s built upon the platform of the 2011 Kia Rio and will enter production in a couple of months. A 5-door hatchback of version of the K2 will commence production in August of this year.

In spite of its size and the target market, the K2 is a quality premium car in line with other new Kias. Taking cues from the luxury sedan Optima, the K2 offers a dynamic, bold and sophisticated exterior appearance. The interior is also top class with highlights like 3-cylinder supervision instrument cluster, cloth lined door panels, leather steering wheel, engine start-stop button and smart key.

The car’s offered in six different trim levels and can be obtained with either a 1.4-litre or 1.6-litre Gamma petrol engine mated to a manual or automatic transmission.

Measuring 4,370 mm (overall length) by 1,700 mm (overall width) by 1,460 mm (overall height), the K2 is longer, wider and lower than the previous generation Rio and boasts the longest wheelbase (2,570 mm) in its class. The expanded dimensions allow K2 to claim best-in-class interior space and ample luggage capacity of 500 litres (VDA). Space utilisation is further enhanced thanks to the 60:40 split rear seat.