Kia Motors South Africa has expanded its popular Picanto line-up to 12 derivatives with the addition of a new range-topping 1,2 Smart Auto variant.
When the third-generation Picanto was launched locally in July 2017, the flagship Smart derivative was available only with a five-speed manual. But now, based on “market feedback”, the local arm of the Korean brand has decided to bring back the automatic option (still no further word on the possibility of the 1,0-litre turbo-triple engine being offered here).
Priced at R212 495, the new derivative features the automaker’s familiar 1,2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, worth 61 kW and 122 N.m, mated to a four-speed automatic ‘box.
The Smart trim level includes items such as two-tone leather upholstery, Apple CarPlay functionality, rear parking sensors (with a reversing camera) and a seven-inch colour touchscreen.
As with the other derivatives in the Picanto range, a five-year unlimited kilometre warranty is standard (a service plan is an optional extra).
A price increase has been applied across the rest of the range, with the majority of derivatives now costing R3 000 more than at launch, and a handful now some R4 000 more expensive.
Pricing:
Kia Picanto 1,0 Start: R137 995
Kia Picanto 1,0 Street: R152 995
Kia Picanto 1,0 Style: R162 995
Kia Picanto 1,0 Style Auto: R175 995
Kia Picanto 1,0 Smart: R183 495
Kia Picanto 1,2 Start: R153 995
Kia Picanto 1,2 Start Auto: R166 995
Kia Picanto 1,2 Street: R168 995
Kia Picanto 1,2 Style: R179 495
Kia Picanto 1,2 Style Auto: R192 495
Kia Picanto 1,2 Smart: R199 495
Kia Picanto 1,2 Smart Auto: R212 495
