Attractively restyled and refreshed, yet retaining the original model's 'young, sporty and friendly' spirit, the new Kia Picanto, launched in Malta last week by agents Easysell Kia, is a car that's still small on the outside, but feels big on the inside.
The original Picanto took Kia into the A-segment for the first time and, since launch, has attracted more than 250,000 buyers in Europe - becoming a key model in Kia's European growth strategy.
Now Kia's design teams in Korea and Europe have revisited the company's smallest car, preserved its distinctive character and evolved the new 2008 Picanto, a car with more glamorous looks, an even more friendly feel and upgraded equipment. Styled to be 'more rounded and intimate' the 2008 Picanto is 40 mm longer, with an overall length of 3,535 mm, featuring an extended rounded nose and deeper, larger rear bumper.
The front and rear light clusters are new and follow the 'rounded' theme. The wheelbase is unchanged at 2,370 mm, while the doors, tailgate and all internal bodyshell panels are carried over from the successful predecessor model. The door mirror design is new and incorporates the turn indicator repeater lights.
Mechanically, the 2008 Picanto is unchanged except for the adoption of the diesel model's electrically-assisted, rack and pinion power steering for all gasoline models - bringing the opportunity for enhanced fuel economy.
The original Picanto description as a 'mini-MPV' was earned by its ability to carry 157 litres of luggage with all seats occupied and 882 litres of cargo space with two occupants and the split rear seats folded flat. This versatility is retained by 2008 Picanto.
The Picanto will be available in both four-seater and five-seater versions, with a choice of two petrol engines and one diesel engine, manual or automatic transmission, and LX or EX equipment and trim levels - in both left-hand and right-hand drive.
The larger, 1.1-litre engine generates a maximum 65 ps at 5,500 rpm and 97 Nm of torque at 2,800 rpm, making the Picanto one of the most powerful cars in its class.
The 1.1-litre Picanto will accelerate from 0-to-100 kph in 15.1 seconds, will reach a maximum speed of 154 k/ph - where traffic regulations allow - and will travel for 100 km on just five litres of fuel. With a 35-litre fuel tank, the Picanto's usable range between re-fuelling stops is in the region of 700 kilometres - depending on driving style.
The 1-litre engine, which is ordered by 40 per cent of Picanto buyers, is also mated to a five-speed manual transmission as standard and produces 62 ps at 5,600 rpm and 87 Nm of torque at 3,000 rpm.
In terms of CO2 emissions, this Picanto is also one of the most efficient cars in its class. It emits just 117 g/km.
The Picanto Diesel will accelerate from 0 to 100 k/ph in 15.7 seconds and will reach a maximum speed of 163 k/ph. On the combined cycle, fuel consumption is just 4.2 l/100 km, so a range of 800 kilometres between fuel stops is possible.
For the new Picanto, Kia has introduced a range of upgrades that bring a host of customer benefits, including an all-new centre stack with a factory-fitted, tailor-made radio/CD player and a height-adjustable driver's seat on all models - plus the availability of MP3 compatibility, USB, AUX and iPod connections, manual and climate control air-conditioning and rear parking assist system.
Extensive research and development into structural design and vehicle behaviour in real-world accidents has resulted in Picanto providing excellent occupant protection for an A-Segment car.
Picanto's line-up of features includes good visibility, agile handling, responsive power steering and a highly effective braking system. Unusually for an A-segment vehicle, the 2008 Picanto comes with ventilated 241 mm diameter disc brakes at the front.
The front-disc/rear-drum system is backed up by state-of-the-art ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) and EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution).
To save fuel and deliver responsive handling in everyday driving, the 2008 Picanto has Kia's latest MDPS (Motor Driven Power Steering) system.
Prices start from €10,249. For more information on the Kia range call at the Easysell Kia showroom in Qormi.