Micro/light car segment making no progress

[Franco Cozzo]

Just noticed a review of the new Kia Rio S, which is a sub $20K light/micro car.

https://www.carsales.com.au/editoria...review-127608/

1.4L naturally aspirated, 74KW/133NM, comes with 6sp manual or 6sp torque converter auto.

Having a look over the past decade, where do we sit in this segment?

It appears its more common to have 6sp torque converter autos over the traditional 4sp of days gone by, and 6sp manuals instead of the more common 5sp manual.

It has disc brakes on the rear which is a step up from traditional drums fitted to this segment (and all of the Thailand Specials, absolutely ridiculous).

I feel that under the hood where it counts, there is literally no progress being made on engines in this class, I bought a new WS Fiesta in 2009, 88KW/152NM.

Going back a decade prior the WF Festiva we bought new in 1999 had a 1.5L engine and under 60KW, from 1999-2009 there was decent progress made with what your money bought you, under 60KW to 88KW is a big jump in terms of percentage in power and the car itself is a huge step up, they both use about the same amount of fuel, driving both, WS I average 6.3L/100km and the WF Festiva I averaged about 7L/100km.

Just to put it into perspective these cars cost about the same price when purchased new, WF Festiva in background (seen better days, it hasn't moved since I killed it taking it 4x4ing 5 years ago )

Note that there is no Ford representation in this segment anymore.



2009-2020 - virtually zero progress made in offerings in this segment in regards to powertrain, a couple extra gears on the autos, one extra gear for the manual, disc brakes on the rear axle and thats about it.

It seems that unless someone steps out of their comfort zone and convinces the bean counters then no one will make any progress, they're happy churning out the same stuff for decades - maybe with the Chinese companies like MG starting to offer better value and industry firsts (GWM having rear discs as factory) that the juggernauts may wake up?