The KIA Picanto gets an Upgrade
The KIA Picanto has been a global favorite for many years and KIA has given the model some exterior, interior as well as engine refreshments, the result is a refreshed and a much more distinctive appearance.
The GT-Line and X-Line Picanto models have been revised to give each car a more purposeful design with a new grille which features a new textured surround and open-link appearance giving it a 'tiger-nose'. The chrome-effect surround forms a sweeping shape that extends into the lower part of the redesigned headlamps and gives the car a wider, more planted appearance. Each side of the ‘tiger-nose’ grille features a red highlight on GT-Line models or more technical black trim on X-Line models which resemble air intakes.
The KIA Picanto will now feature redesigned headlights and four-bulb LED daytime running lights while the rear benefits LED combination lamp design and a slimmer fog light design, creating a more recognizable rear light signature at the same time.
The larger, wider air intake in the lower bumper is accented by the GT-Line’s body-colored bumper with gloss black highlights and jewel-like fog lamps, while the X-Line models echo the appearance of SUV protective skid plates, with metal-effect trim bearing the X-Line logo, and a gloss black surround which extends from the front grille into the wheel arch surrounds.
Potential for customization is also available, with a choice of 10 vibrant paint finishes designed to make the car stand out as well as two new aluminum alloy wheel designs to strengthen the Picanto’s sporty character (16-spoke, 14-inch design, or a two-tone diamond-cut 16-inch wheel.)
In the interior, the Picanto features a series of visual and technological upgrades, centered around a larger 8.0-inch ‘floating’ widescreen audio-visual navigation (AVN) system and a high-resolution 4.2-inch digital display in the driver’s instrument cluster. The infotainment system also features Bluetooth multi-connection, enabling users to pair up to two mobile devices at the same time – one for hands-free phone and media use; the other for media use only. The system features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.
Depending on trim level and market, the Picanto’s cabin is offered with black cloth or synthetic leather seats, with the upgraded model finished with a range of new upholstery textures for a more contemporary, higher quality look and feel. The cabin is finished with black, silver or gloss black highlights in the door, on the dashboard, and around the gear selector and it is also available with a range of trendy interior color packs to enhance customers’ ability to customize the cabin of their car, depending on vehicle specification and market.
The upgraded Picanto is also available with a range of trendy interior color packs depending on market and specification:
- Lime
- Red
- Orange
- Green.
The upgraded Picanto features several of KIA’s latest Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, and a range of new active safety systems to enhance occupant safety, making it one of the safest cars in its class, below are a few of the KIA Picanto's Safety Features depending on specification:
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with vehicle and pedestrian detection.
- Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist.
- Lane Keeping Assist.
- Driver Attention Warning.
- Lane Following Assist (this uses the front-facing camera and sensors to monitor road markings, controlling the Picanto’s steering to keep the car in the center of its lane.)
The Engines have also been refreshed and the KIA Picanto is now available in Europe with three new ‘Smartstream’ petrol engines; A1.0-liter T-GDi (turbocharged gasoline direct injection) engine producing 74 kW, or a pair of naturally-aspirated 1.0-litre or 1.2-litre DPFI (dual-port fuel injection) engines, producing 49 kW and 62 kW, respectively.
The Picanto is also the first model equipped with KIA’s new Automated Manual Transmission. (The AMT is based around a five-speed manual transmission with clutch and gear shift actuators to automate clutch operation and gear shifts.)
All information contained in this release relates to European specifications, and may not be applicable to the South African market. The upgraded KIA Picanto is expected to make its South African debut in Q4 2020 with both the Picanto X-Line and the Picanto GT Line are under consideration for South African introduction.
