Kia Australia releases AO Special Edition models

Kia Australia is capitalising fully on its partnership with the Australian Open tennis tournament with new AO Special Edition models to the MY18 range based on the Picanto, Rio, Sportage and even the Stinger.

Featuring extra equipment and special pricing across the AO Limited Editions, the special editions represent good value for money – especially the Sportage – and are on offer until January 31st, 2018. Just 75 Stinger Rafa AO Special Editions will be offered, alongside 150 Picantos, 150 Rios and 500 Sportages.

First cab off the rank is the Stinger Rafa AO Special Edition, which is the least subtle AO Special Edition, thanks to the yellow decals on the side. The Stinger Rafa earns 19-inch alloy wheels, an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with inbuilt satellite navigation, a nine-speaker sound system, ‘premium’ brown interior trimmings, a unique title numbered interior badge, body decals and an autographed Rafa tennis racquet with a certificate of authenticity.

The Stinger Rafa AO Special Edition is priced from $47,990 plus on-road costs – $2,000 more than the Stinger 200S on which it’s based.

Next up is the Picanto AO Special Edition. Based on the automatic variant of the Picanto, the AO earns 16-inch alloy wheels, a GT-Line bodykit with GT-Line badging that will form part of a Picanto GT-Line model this year, LED daytime running lights, ‘premium’ seats with red accents, a ‘premium’ steering wheel and gearknob, sports alloy pedals and a six-speaker sound system.

Limited to just 150 cars and priced from $16,777 drive away, the Picanto AO Special Edition also comes with a special AO package with a Babolat racquet, a backpack and a tube of Wilson tennis balls.

In addition to the Picanto and Stinger AO Special Editions, Kia Australia has also delivered a Rio AO Special Edition. Based on the entry-level Rio S and priced from $17,777 drive away, the Rio AO gains 17-inch alloy wheels, a ‘premium’ steering wheel and gearknob, cruise control and mirror-integrated side indicators. The Rio AO Special Edition also earns the same AO package as the Picanto, with a Babolat racquet, a backpack and a tube of Wilson tennis balls.

The final Kia AO Special Edition is the Sportage. Based on the entry-level Si, the Sportage AO Special Edition earns 18-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, inbuilt satellite navigation with live traffic updates, dual-zone climate control, rain-sensing wipers, front parking sensors and most crucially a big upgrade to the car’s active safety package, with autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning and automatic high beam headlights.

Just 360 examples of the petrol Sportage AO Special Edition will be sold, with pricing listed as $31,777 drive away. Kia Australia is also importing 140 all-wheel drive diesel examples, and they are priced at $36,777 drive away. Like the Rio and Picanto AO Special Editions, the Sportage AO also comes with an AO package with a Babolat racquet, a backpack and a tube of Wilson tennis balls.

2018 Kia Australia AO Special Edition pricing:
Picanto – $16,777 (drive away)
Rio S – $17,777 (drive away)
Sportage Si petrol – $31,777 (drive away)
Sportage Si AWD diesel – $36,777 (drive away)
Stinger Rafa – $47,990 (plus on-road costs)

The 2018 Kia Australia AO Special Edition models are in dealerships now.