Photo: Kia
Presently on an all-out offensive to refresh its aging lineup, the Hyundai-Kia group keeps rolling out new versions of its most prominent products. Soon after Hyundai unveiled the refreshed variant of the Santa Fe, Kia struck with the release of the new Picanto.
The small South Korean city car is a common sight on European and Asian roads, and at the end of the year it will be unleashed with improved looks, new powertrains, and more modern technologies.
The visual changes, which include revisions of the front and rear ends, new colors, and new wheel designs, extend to the entire Picanto range, also covering the more aggressive-looking GT-Line and X-Line.
The interior, which can be wrapped either in black cloth or synthetic leather, now reveals a larger 8-inch floating screen, and a 4.2-inch digital display acting as instrument cluster. New colors and color combinations have been created for the interior as well.
More importantly, the new Picanto comes to the world with two new Smartstream engines, the first a turbocharged 1.0-liter T-GDi good for 100 ps, and the second a naturally-aspirated 1.0-liter good for 67 ps. Also new to the range is the option of having an automated manual transmission fitted for “drivers needing an auto.“
“The Picanto is one of our best-selling models in several regions worldwide, and a particular favourite among European A-segment drivers,” said in a statement Emilio Herrera, Chief Operating Officer for Kia Motors Europe.
“The upgrades to the model are designed to keep the Picanto one step ahead of its competitors thanks to its vibrant design and fun-driving attitude, combined with ‘class-above’ connectivity and safety technologies. We are confident the updated Picanto will further extend our market share in this highly competitive segment.”
The new Picanto hits the roads in the third quarter of the year. Pricing was not announced.
The visual changes, which include revisions of the front and rear ends, new colors, and new wheel designs, extend to the entire Picanto range, also covering the more aggressive-looking GT-Line and X-Line.
The interior, which can be wrapped either in black cloth or synthetic leather, now reveals a larger 8-inch floating screen, and a 4.2-inch digital display acting as instrument cluster. New colors and color combinations have been created for the interior as well.
More importantly, the new Picanto comes to the world with two new Smartstream engines, the first a turbocharged 1.0-liter T-GDi good for 100 ps, and the second a naturally-aspirated 1.0-liter good for 67 ps. Also new to the range is the option of having an automated manual transmission fitted for “drivers needing an auto.“
“The Picanto is one of our best-selling models in several regions worldwide, and a particular favourite among European A-segment drivers,” said in a statement Emilio Herrera, Chief Operating Officer for Kia Motors Europe.
“The upgrades to the model are designed to keep the Picanto one step ahead of its competitors thanks to its vibrant design and fun-driving attitude, combined with ‘class-above’ connectivity and safety technologies. We are confident the updated Picanto will further extend our market share in this highly competitive segment.”
The new Picanto hits the roads in the third quarter of the year. Pricing was not announced.
Google News