HOW COULD YOU NOT fall in love with the Kia Picanto, one of the cutest (and best value) little cars on the market?
Kia’s smallest warrior will benefit from distinctive styling changes on its premium models as well as some category firsts in new technology across the range.
Kia Motors Australia Chief Operating Officer Damien Meredith praised the upgrade changes as a worthy benefit in one of Australia’s most affordable cars.
“These changes will benefit buyers of models across the range, bringing additional style, comfort and integrated technology to a car which already boasts safety and value as key considerations,” Mr Meredith said.
Refreshed design with a distinct new look for GT-Line and GT models
The Picanto line-up has received a comprehensive enhancement to exterior design, with significant updates made to sporty GT-Line and GT models in particular. The result is a refreshed, more distinctive appearance and greater differentiation for the higher-grade models.
The ‘face’ of both models has been revised to give each car a more purposeful design. This starts with the ‘tiger-nose’ grille, which remains sleek and sporty but with a sharper and more assertive appearance.
Below the grille is a restyled lower air intake, magnifying the aggressive look of the front end while the rear boasts a new bumper design with dual exhaust tips and a wider, more aggressive posture.
The entry level S model will gain upgraded MFR Halogen Headlights with the GT-Line and GT featuring Projection Halogen Headlights with a sculptured front fog lights adding to the sport front visage.
As a final styling tweak, the GT-Line and GT models will ride on a new design of 16-inch alloy wheels.
Across the range there is now an 8-inch touchscreen (a micro-car segment first in Australia) with 4.2-inch colour supervision cluster. Two more segment firsts in technology are the Wireless Smartphone Connectivity and Bluetooth Multi-Connection capability.
The GT-Line will feature its own styling package (badge, body kit and dual exhaust tips) with the GT having similar distinguishing trims.
The GT will be powered by the new generation Kappa 1.0-litre Turbo GDI engine (74kW and 172Nm) coupled to a five-speed manual. The rest of the range will carry-over current power trains.
Price for the current GT-Line is from $15,890 and the GT Turbo $18,190. Pricing for the updated models will be announced before they go on sale next month.
Adding to its remarkable value, Picanto continues to benefit from Australia’s leading ownership experience with seven-year warranty, seven-year fixed price servicing and seven-year roadside assist.
Once we have tested and assessed the new Kia Picanto GT-Line and GT models, seniordriveraus will bring you a comprehensive review, including everything the over-50 driver needs to know.