KIA'S next new car has been praised for redefining the profile of the traditional multi-purpose vehicle.
Due on sale in February, the Venga model featuring a high roof and flexible interior has won a major international design award.
Judges of the iF Design Award said the car was innovative and completely redefined the conventional mini-van profile of traditional MPVs.
Designed, engineered and manufactured in Europe, the next-generation Kia model will be available with a choice of two petrol engines and up to five diesel units producing between 75PS and 128PS.
More than four metres long, the five door car boasts exceptional interior room accommodation and a two-tier boot floor and sliding rear seats provide a total load volume of 1,253 litres.
Fitted with the South Korean firm's new stop-start system, the most economical version with a 1.4-litre diesel engine returns 51.3mpg average fuel economy and has a CO2 emissions figure of 117g/km.
"B-segment MPVs have traditionally been the type of vehicles purchased out of necessity - they are cars of function and practicality," said Kia chief design officer Peter Schreyer.
'Now all that is about to change. With the new Venga we have designed a car that will fulfil European consumers' practical requirements, while also being genuinely desirable and fun to drive.'