Kia has just launched its all-new Kia Picanto in South Africa. With an all-new design, more economical engines, an improved array of standard features and a more upmarket interior, the new Kia Picanto aims to unsettle a few players in the A-segment.
CAR journalist Wilhelm Lutjeharms at currently at the launch and reports that South Africans have a choice of either a 1,0- and 1,2-litre with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission, and various specification packages.
The three-cylinder 1,0-litre develops 51 kW at 6 200 r/min and 94 N.m of torque at 3 500 r/min. Performance isn’t a priority here, but the numbers stand as follows – the zero to 100 km/h sprint can be completed in 14,3 seconds on the way to a top speed of 155 km/h.
Fuel economy and emissions are the figures that really count in this segment. The 1,0 Picanto with a manual transmission consumes 4,9 litres/100 km, while its automatic counterpart consumes 5,6 litres/100 km. Kia claims emissions figures of 117 and 132 g/km of CO2 for the manual and automatic respectively. The larger 1,2-litre has a maximum output of 64 kW and 120 N.m of torque. It consumes slightly more fuel with a figure of 5,0 litres/100 km for the manual and 6,1 for the automatic.
Kia believes that the new bold styling and cleaner, more classy cabin means that the Picanto is now a “small car, grown-up”.
“It is such a complete car, such a high quality package, offering numerous premium features and multiple trim choices, that it will raise the fundamental perception of A-segment models to a higher level,” says Soon-Nam Lee, Director of Overseas Marketing, Kia Motors Corporation.
The standard features lsits depends on the specification level, but you can expect to see items such as rear foglamps, a trip computer, and two front drinks holders in the entry-level model, and electric power steering, remote central locking, body-coloured bumpers, electric front windows, rake adjustment on the steering column and a storage tray under the front passenger seat in the better equipped versions. Other features to look forward to include an audio system with USB capability, while safety comes in the form of ABS with EBS, and possibly electronic stability control and hill-start assist control.
Prices:
Picanto 1,0 R99 995
Picanto 1,0 LX R107 995
Picanto 1,2 EX R114 995
Choosing an auto ‘box will add R10 000 to the prices mentioned above.
An international driving impression appears in the June 2011 issue of CAR. A driving impression on the local offerings will appear on CARmag.co.za within the next few days.