New Kia Picanto costs from £9450 01 | 05 | 2017
KIA'S ALL-NEW PICANTO will go on-sale at Scottish dealerships this month. Prices will start from £9450 for the entry-level 1.0-litre in 1 spec.
And for the first time, the Picanto range - which is only available as a five-door - will include sporty GT-Line and GT-Line S trim. In addition to bespoke paintwork and a new steering wheel, the new sportier models also benefit from a new muscular body kit.
The GT-Line starts at £11,750 for the 1.0-litre, with the range-topping 1.25 GT-Line S costing £13,755.
Clever designing means Kia's new City car has more head and legroom, despite the fact it's no larger than the outgoing model. It does though benefit from a longer wheelbase and shorter overhangs.
The range includes the three-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol with 66bhp and 71lb/ft of torque, plus the four-cylinder 83bhp 1.2-litre petrol, which have been carried over from the current Picanto range.
But the star is Kia's new turbocharged 1.0-litre which, with its 99bhp, is the most powerful in the range, which will scamper to 60mph from standstill in 10.1secs. Kia has still to confirm its official MPG and CO2.
And while the new range includes an optional four-speed auto on the 1.25-litre, the standard 'box across the range is a five-speed manual.
According to Kia, the new Picanto enjoys improved ride and handling as a result of modified suspension and a revised steering rack. The Korean car maker also says the new model has 'agile' driving dynamics.
Inside the new Picanto's cabin, a new 7.0in touchscreen infotainment system, which will be standard on UK-spec, dominates. Options include a reversing camera, wireless smartphone charger and USB port.
As for luggage space, that increases to 255-litres with the rear seats in place, and 1010-litres with them folded.
Safety has been further improved in the 2017 model, with the new Picanto having six airbags as standard. Optional extras include a knee airbag and automatic emergency braking (AEB).
“We want the cars to appeal to a young customer," said COO of Kia Motors Europe Michael Cole, who expects the UK to be the biggest market for the new Picanto, and admitted the new GT-Line has been developed to attract those younger buyers.
Like the rest of the Kia range, the 2017 Picanto comes with the company's comprehensive 100,000-mile, seven-year warranty. The car will also be hugely attractive in terms of PCP deals.
Related: Aberdeen Kia opens new premises
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Jim McGill