The new Kia Venga has won one of the most prestigious international design awards, even before officially going on sale.

The stylish mid-size people mover, unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, has been awarded the prestigious iF product design award that recognises design quality, as well as a number of other criteria, including workmanship, level of innovativeness and eco-friendliness.

Judged by an international jury of experts, the German-based iF Design Award recognised that the Kia Venga completely redefines the conventional mini-van profile of traditional people movers.

“B-segment MPVs have traditionally been the type of vehicles purchased out of necessity – they are cars of function and practicality,” explains Kia Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer, who led Kia’s Venga design team.

“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.

“Venga is going to re-ignite interest among consumers in B-segment MPVs, by setting new standards for the class!  The prestigious iF product design award is a welcome recognition of the success of our design strategy.”

Launched in 1953, the iF product design prize is awarded annually and has been recognised as one of the world’s most important prizes for excellence in design.

For the 2010 award, a total of 2,486 products were entered in 16 different categories. The Kia Venga won the ‘Transportation Design’ category, which includes cars, ships, trains and planes.

Designed, engineered and manufactured in Europe, the Kia Venga will be available across Europe with a choice of seven engines: two petrol and up to five diesels.  The most economical version, the Venga 1.4 CRDi equipped with Kia’s ISG (Idle Stop & Go) system, will have a CO2 rating of just 117 g/km and will use only 4.5L/100km.

The 4,068 mm long, five-door car has an exceptionally spacious cargo bay thanks to the two-tier boot space floor and sliding rear seats, giving a total volume of 1,253 litres.