Relating to small Kias, the Picanto (aka Morning) springs to thoughts. Nevertheless, in South Korea, there’s additionally the Ray, which is simply as lengthy and broad whereas being a lot taller. It measures 3,595 mm (141.5 in) in size, 1,595 mm (62.8 in) in width, and 1,700 mm (66.9 in) in top. It was initially launched in 2011 and acquired a facelift in 2017. Quick ahead to at present, it is getting one other replace with out switching to the second era.
In typical Hyundai/Kia/Genesis trend, the 2023 Ray is proven in only some photographs with none technical specs as the total reveal will happen within the coming weeks. In the meantime, the pint-sized hatchback reveals its redesigned entrance grille nonetheless being labeled as a “tiger nostril” whereas carrying the up to date company badge. The largest change on the skin is represented by the all-new headlights as they’re now extra upright and sure host the fog lights since they don’t seem to be within the up to date bumper anymore.
Being solely a facelift moderately than a next-gen automotive, the Ray has the identical aspect profile as earlier than, save for these swanky new alloy wheels. The again has gone by means of some notable modifications for the reason that taillights have been fully modified they usually’re now interlinked with shiny black trim items extending throughout the tailgate.
The inside hasn’t been subjected to any main modifications and you’ll simply inform the automotive has been round for some time. The one necessary modification has been made to the instrument cluster because it now includes a 4.2-inch shade show. Its dashboard seems far much less trendy than the latest crop of Kias, however that should not be a lot of a difficulty for the reason that Ray has at all times been about inexpensive motoring.
It must be famous that the Ray was Kia’s first manufacturing EV, launched again in 2011 as a zero-emission different to the ICE mannequin powered by a 1.0-liter, three-cylinder gasoline engine. In its home market, there’s additionally a single-seater Ray Van and it even received a camper model from Incheon-based motorhome specialist Daon TNT.
You may’t inform from these photographs, however there is a sliding door on the suitable aspect for making it simpler to hop inside and out of doors of the upright little hatchback.
