Rio 1.1 CRDi production problems

 

In the "real" world I would not expect an 88mpg Rio to any more mpg than any of the other Rio 1.1 CRDI models. Kia (as many other manufacturers) will have made certain tweeks to the "economy" model that means it performs especially well on the EU test but in the real world where road have hills, corners, other traffic, etc. etc. the increase rarely amounts to much. Auto Express achieved 45.6 mpg out of a 1.1 CRDi 2 which they were happy with considering it included performance testing.

 

The basic rio '1' 1.1 CRDi has a longer final drive ratio , so once it is up to speed it revs at a lower speed than the standard cars. That together with the reduced weight and filled in grill (no air con radiator that needs cooling) is meant to make the difference.

 

My current old 206 was meant to have a combined 62.8mpg (120g co2/km), and the best I have had out of it after careful driving has been an average of 82.2mpg over a tank full. That is 812 miles before the light came on from a 50L tank, and it only took 45L to fill it up. I have also had low 50's out of it when the traffic is bad.(my previous car was a Fiat Coupe 20V turbo Plus and that used to get 22 on a good run ).

 

I drive about 75 miles per day up and down the A1 & A14 including driving right into the center of Cambridge, so traffic conditions can vary greatly.

 

I am wondering what the start stop technology will be like, and I am hoping that it will make a difference.

 

The test drive that I had in a '2' was good , though the car only had 12 miles on the clock (and still had the foam protection block on the ends of the doors), so the start-stop was disabled. Apparently it needs a warm engine and better than 75% battery charge before it will work.

 

I am starting to compose my email to Kia customer support. I won't hold my breath for a response as I guess they must be dealing with many customers who are in the same position as me.

 

Thanks for all the comments.

 

Bruce