2018 Kia Picanto, the first car unveiled in Malaysia this year is the third generation of the South Korean hatchback. There is just one variant available, a 1.2 EX automatic that has a price tag of RM 49,888 (PKR 14.15 lac).
The 1.2 liter Kappa II naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine generates 84 PS at 6,000 rpm and 122 Nm at 4,000 rpm. It is mated to a four-speed automatic transmission, no manual version is presented.
The body has the dimensions of 3,595 mm long, 1,595 mm wide and 1,485 mm tall. The new Picanto keep hold of mostly the same dimensions as its predecessor, even though it is 5 mm lower and has a 15 mm longer wheelbase of 2,400 mm.
In spite of this, the car is asserted to provide more headroom, shoulder room and legroom together both in front and rear, and luggage space has enhanced from a minuscule 200 liters to 255 liters, thanks to a more competent design.
Visually, the new Picanto is notable through new projector halogen headlights with U-shaped LED daytime running lights forming a nonstop line rather than being individual diodes. Kia’s signature “tiger nose” grille has also been widened to congregate the headlights. The back design is more angular too, with larger LED tail lights.
The interior has been made noticeably more fashionable with a dual-tier dashboard with a Rio-style floating head unit sitting over the twin horizontal center air vents. In addition, the corner air vents are now vertical and in an extraordinary lozenge shape, giving the cabin a quirky spin on things. There is a three-spoke steering wheel rather than two-spoke while the air-con switchgear has gained a concave shape.
The new Picanto is said to be more safer with twice the quantity of advanced high strength steel as ever before. There’s also an amount of soundproofing measures for reduced noise, vibration and harshness, also stiffer anti-roll bars and a quicker steering rack for enhanced handling.
Standard features take in 14-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, keyless entry, push-button start, auto headlights, manual fabric seats, Bluetooth and six speakers, plus safety kit for instance six airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist and stability control. There is too a seven-inch infotainment touchscreen including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support.
KIA is in progression of making a rejoinder in Pakistan partnered with Lucky group, nevertheless among the range of vehicles that have been marked testing so far, there is a second generation Picanto in place of the third.
