• Kia reveals its new Picanto range
• New Picanto headlined by GT-Line and X-Line models
• Turbocharged 1.0-litre engine to produce 74kW
The new Kia Picanto has just broken cover, and already one can gather that the new city car is ready for an onslaught of note.
The upgraded car now features a range of new safety and telematics technologies that one would generally find in higher-segment cars. Re-engineered powertrains and a new Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) have also been added.
Kia says that it also brought about changes to the Picanto's design – both inside and out – for the car's next phase in the market.
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2021 Kia Picanto. Image: MotorPress
New models
In addition to the standard model, new GT-Line and X-Line derivatives are added to the range. The faces of both these cars have been altered to give them their distinct personalities, starting with revisions to the 'tiger-nose' grille.
Both cars feature redesigns to the front and rear bumpers, creating a more contemporary look.
Kia says: "The changes create a more rugged, robust-looking design for X-Line models and, for GT-Line models, an appearance that visually links the car to the higher-performance GT models in Kia's range."
The GT-Line's body-coloured bumper features larger and wider air intakes and jewel-like fog lamps. The X-Line models echo the appearance of SUV protective skid plates, with metal-effect trim bearing the X-Line logo, and a gloss black surround which extends from the front grille into the wheel arch surrounds.
2021 Kia Picanto GT-Line. Image: MotorPress
Refreshed interior
Depending on trim level and market, the Picanto's cabin is offered with black cloth or synthetic leather seats, with the upgraded model finished with a range of new upholstery textures.
The cabin is finished with black, silver or gloss black highlights in the door, on the dashboard, and around the gear selector.
The Picanto features a series of visual and technological upgrades, centred around a larger 8.0-inch 'floating' widescreen audio visual navigation (AVN) system, and a high-resolution 4.2-inch digital display in the driver's instrument cluster.
2021 Kia Picanto GT-Line's interior. Image: MotorPress
Powertrains
Three engines will make up the revised Kia Picanto range, comprising both turbocharged and naturally-aspirated (N/A) units. The turbocharged 1.0-litre produces 74kW and is likely to only feature in the GT-Line and X-Line models.
A 1.0-litre and 1.2-litre are both N/A and produce 49kW and 62kW, respectively.
Kia will, for the first time, introduce its new AMT in one of its model ranges, with the Picanto the first custodian. This gearbox is based around a five-speed manual transmission and, says Kia, cost-effective.
The upgraded Kia Picanto is expected to arrive in South Africa in Q4 of 2020. Kia says that both the X-Line and GT-Line are under consideration for local introduction. Information on pricing, specification, and powertrains will be released closer to the local launch date.
2021 Kia Picanto X-Line. Image: MotorPress
Compiled by: Charlen Raymond