Friday, November 4, 2011

Rides : Kia Brings Surfer-Friendly Rio and Hockey-Themed Forte to SEMA 2011

Kia Motors has released the first images of a pair of radically tuned cars that will make their debut today at the 2011 Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas. Both the Rio 5-Door Surf and the Forte 5-Door Hockey were built in partnership with Antenna magazine.


Starting with the 2012 Rio, the surf-themed tuning project features a sunset-metallic golden-brown paint along with a custom body kit with a front splitter made of wood that matches the surfboard on the roof, and rear fascia with center-mount exhaust. A set of 17-inch three-piece gold wheels and a Thule roof rack that holds the surfboard complete the look.

As for the interior, Kia says that the Antenna-tuned Rio gets custom seats, dash and door panels upholstered in brown and beige plaid waterproof bathing suit fabric, a wood grain center console, and headliner upholstered in dark brown suede with a towel holder.

However, one of the most intriguing features of the surf-themed Rio is hidden in the boot as Antenna modified the rear hatch area to hold a retro gaming console that plays 80’s-style arcade games, a retro-looking record player, mood lighting, and shelves to hold various items such as sandals and clothing.

Antenna's second project car is the hockey-themed Forte five-door hatchback. On the outside, the car gets an aviator gray exterior paint with 18-inch blue wheels, custom body kit and front bumper sourced from the two-door Forte Koup with carbon fiber accents and LED lights, quad tailpipes, a carbon fiber roof and a lowered suspension.

Naturally, the Forte study features a custom hockey stick holder that stretches from the boot through the center of the vehicle into the cabin. The rear seat bench was replaced with a pair of bucket sport seats while other highlights include the rubberized flooring designed to simulate the floor outside a skating rink, custom drink holders and a pair of 7-inch TV monitors that are integrated into the front headrests and wired to a PS3.

In addition, Antenna fitted a mini air hockey table on arms that slide out for game play into the trunk area