Next-gen baby Kia good to go

Kia has released its first official photos of the next-generation Picanto hatch. Kia says the compact city car offers bolder, more mature and more self confident styling.

Completely redesigned and re-engineered, Picanto grows slightly in overall length and wheelbase and will employ styling cues now familiar elsewhere in the Kia lineup, including the wonted Schreyer grille.

"In profile, new Picanto features significant sculpting and a very prominent rising character line," explains Kia's Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer. "The result is a layering of light and shadow and this breaks up the height, giving the car a more sure-footed stance."

Similar in proportions to the Suzuki Alto, Kia's sub-Rio sized Picanto has never been sold in Australia. But the local team says the likelihood of the pint-size city car landing in our showrooms has not yet entirely been ruled out.

"While there are no immediate plans to bring Picanto to Australia we have been, and will continue, to look at opportunities in areas in which we do not currently compete," said Kia Motors Australia COO, Tony Barlow. "The Picanto now has the advantage of being an all-new car and if it makes sense as a business case then it is certainly not off the agenda."

Currently, Picanto is available overseas exclusively in five-door guise, though Kia says it plans to offer a sportier three-door model in Europe when the new generation version goes on sale.

The new Picanto will be powered by a choice of four all-new powertrains in 1.0- and 1.2-litre displacements, all boasting class leading CO2 emissions levels. In addition to petrol engines, LPG dual-fuel and flex fuel variations will also be offered depending on market.

The next generation Picanto will be officially unveiled at the Geneva International Motor Show in March when further technical specifications will be available.

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