The massively improved Kia Picanto 2011 will go on sale in the UK from 17 June, starting at a very, very reasonable £7,995.
The new Kia Picanto proves that you can make cheap and cheerful cars! It will be available with the new 1.0- and 1.25-litre Kappa-family petrol engines equipped with Kia’s EcoDynamics fuel-saving technology – an Intelligent Stop & Go (ISG) engine stop/start system. The three-cylinder 1.0-litre unit develops 68bhp and 95Nm of torque and has a combined fuel economy of 67.3mpg, while the larger 1.25-litre four-cylinder makes 84bhp and 121Nm of torque and is rated at 60.1mpg (53 mpg with automatic ‘box).
Kia Picanto five-door comes in four trims of 1, 1 Air, 2 and 3. Standard equipments on the basic models 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).
So despite it’s low price, you still get decent amenities. Here’s the pricelist for the car:
| Powertrain | Trim | Power – bhp | Torque – lb/ft | CO2 | Combined mpg |
Price |
| 1.0-litre | 1 | 68 @ 6,200 rpm | 70 @ 3,500 rpm | 99 | 67.3 | £7,995 |
| 1.0-litre | 1 Air | 68 @ 6,200 rpm | 70 @ 3,500 rpm | 99 | 67.3 | £8,595 |
| 1.0-litre | 2 | 68 @ 6,200 rpm | 70 @ 3,500 rpm | 99 | 67.3 | £9,595 |
| 1.25-litre ISG | 2 EcoDynamics |
84 @ 6,000 rpm | 89 @ 4,000 rpm | 100 | 65.7 | £10,195 |
| 1.25-litre Auto | 2 | 84 @ 6,000 rpm | 89 @ 4,000 rpm | 125 | 53.3 | £10,795 |
| 1.25-litre | 3 | 84 @ 6,000 rpm | 89 @ 4,000 rpm | 109 | 60.1 | £11,195 |
Equipments of higher grade models:
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.
