Photo: Kia South Korea
After four years of continuous production, the TA-generation Kia Picanto is preparing to receive its well-deserved mid-cycle nip & tuck job? When? At the Geneva Motor Show in March. Without further ado, we’ll start our story by pointing out that you shouldn’t hold your breath for any major stylistic and mechanical changes over the outgoing model. The recipe is still fresh and Kia knows that very well.
Previewed by the South Korea-spec Kia Morning facelift, the Kia Picanto that’ll be sold in Europe won’t differentiate itself too much over its Asian cousin, except for its nameplate. First of all, there’s a restyled Tiger Nose grille up front, morphing the Picanto into a more enticing city dweller. Minor sculpting has been operated with the front and rear bumpers as well, but nothing out of the ordinary.
Available as a three and as a five-door hatchback, the facelift can be kitted with an optional sport pack on top of the new chrome accents surrounding the driver’s instrument binnacle and dashboard air vents and a new cloth upholstery pattern boosting the lil’ Kia’s youthful appeal.
Customers can also specify amenities like cruise control and a speed limiter. The enhanced model now offers a series of 3 interior color packs that come as standard with neat-looking footwell illumination.
Curiously enough, customers are offered the choice to equip the 2015 Kia Picanto with larger brakes up front (252 mm from 241) that allow the city car to stop from 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 37 meters – an improvement of 2 meters.
Finally, in terms of engine upgrades, we have only one honorable mention - the upgraded Picanto received a series of small modifications to its 1.0 MPI 3-cylinder mill, in order to meet strict EU6 emissions standards.
Both the taillights and headlights have received their little share of botox as well.
Slated to go on sale across the Old Continent at the end of March 2015, the Kia Picanto also got freshened up a little inside, but again, there’s nothing much going on to properly woo potential buyers.Available as a three and as a five-door hatchback, the facelift can be kitted with an optional sport pack on top of the new chrome accents surrounding the driver’s instrument binnacle and dashboard air vents and a new cloth upholstery pattern boosting the lil’ Kia’s youthful appeal.
The manufacturer also revamped the fascia that surrounds the Picanto’s audio system.
Speaking of which, Kia’s AVN (audio-video navigation) system with a 7-inch display screen will be available from the third quarter of 2015.Customers can also specify amenities like cruise control and a speed limiter. The enhanced model now offers a series of 3 interior color packs that come as standard with neat-looking footwell illumination.
Curiously enough, customers are offered the choice to equip the 2015 Kia Picanto with larger brakes up front (252 mm from 241) that allow the city car to stop from 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 37 meters – an improvement of 2 meters.
Finally, in terms of engine upgrades, we have only one honorable mention - the upgraded Picanto received a series of small modifications to its 1.0 MPI 3-cylinder mill, in order to meet strict EU6 emissions standards.
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