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The Proton Persona and Proton Exora are critical for the brand.

And the two new models could finally give new-car buyers a reason to return to a Proton showroom in 2012.

The Exora people mover will headline for the Malaysian brand but it's an all-new Persona, traditionally the company's price leader but coming with a new name, that has the most potential beyond the new year.

There will also be an update for the S16, called the FLX and pitched into the bottom end of the baby-car class, as well as an overdue commitment to safety.

And Proton is going turbo, both with the Exora and a version of the Persona.

"We've finally got a bit happening in the new year," says John Startari, managing director of Proton Australia. This past year we've done less than enough. We were hoping for 2100 sales but we'll probably do around 1600."

The local operation has been hit heavily by delays in product updates from Malaysia, as well as the loss of its unique - but short on safety - Jumbuck ute.

"We think the Exora could give us something to fill that Jumbuck niche. It's a smaller people mover and there aren't too many competitors," says Startarti.

Boot space is also extended to take 288 litres of luggage with the 60/40 split rear seats folding down extending this to 923 litres.

There will be a choice of four engines, including an exceptional 1.1-litre three-cylinder diesel unit which has industry-leading fuel economy and CO2 figures of 88.3mpg and 85g/km – lower than any other non-electric car on sale in the world, including hybrids and eco specials.

There’s also a 1.4-litre 89bhp diesel and two petrol units, 1.25-litre 83bhp and 1.4-litre 107bhp which was in the test car.

Kia models may have been a cheaper altrnative in the past and lacked a bit of finesse - but not now.

Quality

The Rio prices range from £10,595 to £14,895 but still offer excellent value thanks to much-improved quality and an equipment level that scores high marks against its rivals.

Even the entry-level ‘1’ model’s spec includes daytime running lights, body-coloured bumpers, door handles and door mirrors, front electric windows, 15-inch steel wheels, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, two way steering column adjustment (height adjustable only on diesel), MP3-compatible RDS radio and CD player with USB and AUX ports and Bluetooth (on petrol model).

KIA Motors ведёт отсчёт своей истории с 1944 года, когда была основана компания Kyungsung Precision Industry. Она занималась изготовлением запчастей для велосипедов на маленьком заводе в Янгдеунгпо, расположенном на территории современного Сеула. Весной 1952 года компанией был собран первый корейский велосипед, после чего произошла смена названия на KIA Industrial Company. Название KIA происходит от китайских слов ки, что значит восходящий и а Азия. Следовательно, название

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