South Korean carmaker Kia has just unveiled the new-generation Picanto, the revised city car that presents a new exterior look, a revised interior and four new engines. Kia hasn't released the exact technical details of the car but it did mention that the new Picanto is longer and boasts a higher wheelbase as compared to the current generation, trying to become "one of the most competitive vehicles" in the A segment of the industry.
The car will be available as both a five- and a three-door hatchback, but the latter will be released at a later date and will be only addressed to European markets. Picanto might also be launched in Australia once the new generation debuts, but a decision on the matter is yet to be made.
“While there are no immediate plans to bring Picanto to Australia we have been, and will continue, to look at opportunities in areas in which we do not currently compete,” Kia Motors Australia Chief Operating Officer, Mr Tony Barlow, said.
“The Picanto now has the advantage of being an all-new car and if it makes sense as a business case then it is certainly not off the agenda.”
The new-generation will be powered by four "all-new" engines, as Kia calls them, with displacements of 1.0- and 1.2-liter, "all boasting class leading CO2 emissions levels". Although they all use gasoline as the source of power, LPG bi-fuel and flex-fuel configuration will also debut on specific markets.
Picanto will appear for the first time in front of the public in March at the Geneva Auto Show, so more technical details are likely to be released next month.
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