Aquaman-inspired Rio 5-door
Given the Kia Rio's reputation as one of the most eco-friendly vehicles on the road today – 85-percent of Rio's materials are recyclable at the end of its lifespan – the subcompact provided a natural automotive alter-ego for Aquaman, symbolizing his role as protector of the environment, both land and sea. The Aquaman-inspired Rio 5-door also received the West Coast Customs treatment with special gold, green and orange exterior paint and a body kit featuring custom-fabricated fins. Visual elements also include Oracle LED wheel rings and body lighting across the exterior as well as 20-inch color-matched Asanti wheels wrapped in Continental rubber.
Inside the Rio 5-door's spacious cabin, the seats have been reupholstered with green leather featuring yellow and gold accents. The headliner has been customized using green suede while the Aquaman logo was stitched into the back seats to complete the thematic transformation of the passenger compartment. Pop the trunk on this Rio and notice the customized enclosure featuring Aquaman comic-book art and a unique polycast cutout which creates an underwater scene that is lit with Oracle LED lighting.
This heroic Rio is further enhanced by a 12-inch subwoofer and two coaxial component speakers and amp while two seven-inch Rosen Entertainment monitors play the 'We Can Be Heroes' video to promote this worthy cause.
Inspired by Legendary Comic Book Artist Jim Lee, Kia Joins Forces with West Coast Customs, RIDES and Super Street to Kick Off SEMA in Superhero Fashion
• Kia and DC Entertainment band together to support 'We Can Be Heroes' – DC Entertainment's giving campaign designed to raise awareness and funds to fight the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa
• The four world-debuts at SEMA expand on the popularity of the Batman-inspired Optima unveiled in New York's Time Warner Center two weeks ago
LAS VEGAS, October 30, 2012 - Kia Motors America (KMA) and DC Entertainment kicked off the 2012 SEMA Show today in superhero style with five radical machines inspired by the members of the Justice League: The Flash Forte Koup, Aquaman Rio 5-door, Cyborg Forte 5-door, Green Lantern Soul and the previously unveiled Batman Optima. Built by West Coast Customs, RIDES and Super Street, each of the vehicles feature custom artwork by legendary comic book artist and DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Jim Lee and are intended to raise awareness for DC Entertainment's 'We Can Be Heroes' giving campaign to help fight the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa. Each Justice League character was assigned to a specific Kia vehicle based on personality and key attributes to create these five iconic works of art on wheels.
'Working together with DC Entertainment, West Coast Customs, RIDES and Super Street to create a fleet of superhero-inspired machines has been an incredible collaboration and the end result is five one-of-a-kind Justice League cars that bring each of these legendary comic book superheroes to life,' said Michael Sprague, executive vice president, marketing & communications, KMA. 'We are proud to be raising awareness for the 'We Can Be Heroes' giving campaign and look forward to unveiling three more crime-fighting Kias at future auto shows and comic conventions as our 10-month partnership with DC Entertainment continues.'
'It was a thrill to see custom cars based upon my Justice League artwork and sketches revealed at SEMA,' stated Jim Lee, co-publisher of DC Entertainment. 'I have to tip my hat to the teams at West Coast Customs, RIDES and Super Street on their innovative work creating cars that represent iconic characters like Green Lantern, Cyborg, Aquaman and The Flash – all to benefit a great cause, 'We Can Be Heroes', and I'd like to thank Kia Motors America for supporting 'We Can Be Heroes'.'
Source - Kia
