Bold new Kia Picanto makes global debut

Kia has revealed the new Picanto entry-level hatchback. The compact car has been enhanced with a new look and advanced technologies, and comes in a choice between the baseline and the GT Line specification.

It features new headlights with optional LEDs, and front and rear bumper restyles. The baseline comes with 14-inch wheels as standard, but 14, 15 and 16-inch alloy wheels can be optioned. The GT Line gets exclusive 16-inch diamond cut wheels and a rear diffuser. There are ten paint choices, including Iced Illusion and Rich brown. 

Inside, varying textiles and leathers can be selected and the new Picanto benefits from an 8.0-inch floating touchscreen with navigation and a digital driver’s instrumentation display. Multipoint Bluetooth, which pairs up to two mobile devices at the same time for media and calls, is available. Other features are Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice recognition and Kia Connect features, including cloud-based, real-time traffic information and weather forecasts.

A Kia Connect App enables users to remotely send route directions to their car before a journey, check the location of their vehicle, and access vehicle reports and diagnostic notifications. 

Extended features of the Kia Connect app is Last Mile Navigation. This helps owners continue navigating to their destination on foot, or scooter, after they have parked and left the car behind. Over-the-air updates are also integrated.

It launches with two engines: a 1.0l or a 1.2l petrol with improved exhaust gas recirculation and optimised intake valve timing. Both models are front-wheel driven via five-speed manual transmission, or five-speed automated manual transmission. 

Suspension is by front independent MacPherson strut and a torsion beam rear axle. Kia says ride quality and stability have been improved. The steering rack is quicker, too, for easier low speed driving and general agility. Torque vectoring by braking is now a part of the standard electronic stability control system, and helps reduce understeer during hard cornering.

More new features to be had are advanced driver assistance systems including forward collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, lane keeping assist and driver attention warning.

Further functions include intelligent speed limit assist, lane following assist, emergency stop signal and hill start assist. Active safety is looked after by vehicle stability management, cornering brake control and straight-line stability system. There are up to seven airbags on offer, along with an Isofix child-seat tether and anchor points.

Kia has not confirmed when the enhanced Picanto will arrive in SA.