Kia’s third-generation Picanto has arrived on Australian shores boasting an exciting new design.
Specifically for the Australian market, the new Picanto features upgraded equipment including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, cruise control, dusk-sensing headlamps, driver’s safety window and dynamic parking guidelines in a single model grade.
At 1485mm high, 3595mm long and 1595mm wide, the new Picanto’s dimensions are identical to the outgoing model, however, Kia has found an extra 15mm along the wheelbase (2400mm).
“The current Picanto was a toe in the water for us in a segment which was, to be honest, struggling,” Kia Motors Australia Chief Operating Officer Damien Meredith explained.
“We believed there was life in the segment for the right car and the fact that what was an ageing model is now the most popular in the segment proved that to be true.
“The new model has improvements across a huge range of specifications and while we are not expecting massive growth in the segment, we believe there is still life and there is still a sound reason to be a part of it.”
Meredith said that Australian buyers have “told us that they love the design of the outgoing Picanto, they love its low running costs, its compact dimensions for city driving, the high level of equipment available for the money and KMAu’s industry-leading 7-year Warranty package.”
“The new model retains these strengths, with the addition of an exceptional level of dynamism and performance, as well as the latest technologies for in-car connectivity.”
The Picanto, available in a 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual, is powered by a 1.25-litre four-cylinder engine.
Kia’s Australian arm have played a role in calibrating the new Picanto’s ride and handling setup to ensure it is suitable for local roads.
Beneath the bonnet is a new sound-absorbent engine cover and reshaped air intake, just a couple of measures employed by Kia to reduce noise inside the cabin. Other efforts include revised engine mount structure, lowered windscreen wipers, soundproofing panel beneath the dashboard and in the cabin floor and expandable sound-absorbent foam in the lower sections of the A- and B-pillars.
The noise-reducing modifications claim to reduce cabin noise to 39 dB of noise at idle and 68 dB at a steady cruise.
In a first for the class, torque vectoring by braking, which is a function of the Electronic Stability Control system, is found on the Picanto.
Picanto buyers now have the choice of eight colours with five new pearlescent finishes which go by the names of Lime Green, Signal Red, Aurora Black, Pop Orange and Sparkling Silver.
On the inside designers have realigned the dashboard to a more central position, highlighted by the floating 7.0-inch touchscreen and repositioned controls into the driver’s line of sight.
The 2017 Kia Picanto looks considerably better in every way when compared to the outgoing model. The option of a manual may open the Picanto up to a different set of buyers.
The new Picanto retains the necessary sharp pricing to be competitive in the segment, the automatic is listed at $15,690 drive away and the manual at $14,190 RRP.
Let's start a Car Conversation, is the all-new Picanto good enough to take sales off the small offerings from Mazda and Toyota?
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