New Picanto goes on sale

Kia’s new second generation Picanto goes on sale in the UK next month (June 17, 2011) and will offer increased performance yet lower emissions and better fuel efficiency than its predecessor.

Remaining an affordable option, the five door Picanto range starts from £7995 on the road. The car goes on sale with a brand new 1.0 and 1.25 litre Kappa family petrol engine which delivers fuel consumption improvements of up to 8.5mpg with CO2 reductions as much as 15g/km and yet provides better performance. The larger engine is available with Kia’s fuel-saving technology-an Intelligent Stop & Go (ISG) system or alternatively with an automatic transmission.

The three-cylinder 1.0-litre unit develops 68bhp and 95Nm of torque and has an outstanding combined fuel economy of 67.3mpg. The 1.25-litre four-cylinder version of the Kappa engine is offered in three guises, all developing 84bhp and 121Nm of torque. In standard form it averages 60.1mpg. With a four-speed automatic transmission fuel consumption is an impressive 53.3mpg. Finally, there is the EcoDynamics version with fuel consumption at 65.7mpg.

Specification

The Kia Picanto five-door goes on sale with four easily understood trim grades, badged 1, 1 Air, 2 and 3. Standard features include body coloured bumpers, mirrors and door handles, electric front windows, Radio/CD player, trip computer and an immobiliser. A height-adjustable driver’s seat and tilt-adjustable steering column provide driver comfort whilst all occupants are protected by a total of six airbags.  A 60:40 split folding rear seat allows rear luggage space to grow up to 870 litres (VDA).

The Picanto 1 Air provides an option for those customers who want air conditioning, and the fantastic value of the 1 specification, but without upgrading to the well specified mid-grade 2 version.

Picanto 2 adds a host of additional equipment typically seen on cars from the B-segment and above such as Bluetooth connectivity, with voice recognition and full iPod control with USB & AUX ports – both of which can be operated by the steering wheel controls – and electrically operated, heated and folding door mirrors with integrated LED side repeaters.  Air conditioning, rear electric windows, 14” alloy wheels, front fog lights, a leather steering wheel and gear lever, an alarm system, premium black upholstery and chrome exterior detailing complete the comprehensive spec package.

The top-of-the-range 3 spec adds premium features such as automatic air conditioning, heated front seats, a 6-speaker stereo system, 15” alloy wheels, body-coloured side skirts and automatic headlights with LED daytime running lights and unique LED rear lamps.

As with all new Kias, a seven year or 100,000 miles fully transferable warranty is standard on every new Picanto.

Kia will also launch a three door version 3-door version for the first time later in 2011.

Author: Faye Sunderland, May 25th, 2011
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