New KIA Picanto represents the evolution of a winning generation. It debuts in Italy twenty years after the launch of the first series, a model that represents the best of the technology and style of a brand that has managed to gain a leading role among global car manufacturers over time. There new KIA Picanto it’s not a trivial one city car because it has grown-up content and shows off a design that is as modern as it is in line with the rest of the Korean brand’s range.
Giuseppe Bitti, Manager Director and COO KIA Italy: “We are in a historic location for KIAat Villa Sassi we presented several of our models. The KIA Picanto that we are presenting to you represents a new generation of a successful model. Before talking to you about Picanto, I would like to show you the evolutions that we will achieve in the coming years. By 2026 we will reach 1.5 million electric units and then reach 1.6 million in 2030. The EV share will be 58%, a result that will be achieved through a product plan that includes the launch of many new electric models, including the new EV3. This is a very important launch for us, especially for the Italian market. Over the next few years, the arrival of the EV2 is also expected. The demand for traditional vehicles is still strong, in the medium/long term, we will launch eight new full-hybrid models.
Picanto is a strategic model for KIA. Almost 4 million have been sold, a significant number that has helped KIA consolidate its position in many countries. When we presented the new Picanto in 2004, it was a resounding success. In Italy, almost 178,000 have been sold, of which 150,000 units are still in circulation. In the A segment, its share is 9%, Picanto is the eighth best-selling model in its market segment. Today the segment A is dominated by only 10 models, this is due to huge investments that car manufacturers have decided to channel towards other segments. The new KIA Picanto focuses on three factors: design, connectivity and safety. The style is unmistakable, the family feeling is evident, the contents are those of a premium car”.
Michele Palomba, Product Planning Manager KIA Italia: “Let’s start with the design. In Italy it is still a fundamental element. When we rebranded the Brand, we launched the philosophy “Opposites United” which draws inspiration from the elements present in nature.
The work that has been done on aesthetics is definitely important. The Picanto’s design is based on two pillars, the basic version and the GT version. The main change is the headlight group, which recalls that of the Sorento but also other models present in the range. New i rear is the LED vertical, on the GT Line there is a light band, always LED, which unites the light clusters. The rear lights have also been literally redesigned, now they are vertically developed. Design also means size, we know well how important a segment A car is. The length has grown by 1 cm compared to the past reaching 3.6 meters. The size of the wheelbase is important, equal to 2.4 meters. The rims have also changed radically, starting from 14-inch alloy wheels for the Urban, while for the 20th Anniversary version they are 16”.
Also new for the interior, the infotainment screen is 8 inches, the instrument cluster is 4.2 inches. Renewal not only in the design, also revised smart keywith the new Picanto we find a key available on higher models. On-board comfort also means space and load capacity, 255 liters in standard configuration, 1,010 liters with the rear seatback folded down.
Second pillar is connectivity, with the navigator module, on the new Picanto The possibility for the customer to interact with the car via their smartphone also debuts, via the KIA Connect.
Third pillar is security. The new Picanto presents a very important package, the ADAS are complete. Those systems that were already present on the previous generation, receive new updates, including the Lane Following Warningil Rear View Monitor and the Lane Departure Warning.
Motorizations
The 63 horsepower 3-cylinder engine remains in the range, available with both manual and automatic transmission. A LPG version is also on the price list, which will be approved for the European market in the coming months.
Another engine present in the range is the 1.2-liter, a four-cylinder with 79 horsepower.
Four trim levels available for the new KIA Picanto:
- Urban (only with 1.0 MPi engine)
- 20th Anniversary Edition (only with 1.0 MPi engine)
- Style (only with 1.2 MPi engine)
- GT-Line (available with both engines).
Prices starting from 16,500 euros for the new KIA Picanto Urban 1.0 MPi. The top-of-the-range trim is the GT-Line 1.2 MPi AMT (intelligent automatic transmission), on sale starting from 21,750 euros.
The launch offer that KIA has reserved for the new Picanto is particularly convenient: 35 installments of 59 euros per month, starting price 11,750 euros.
With the Flex promo, the monthly installment is 385 euros (no down payment, duration 18 months).
Giuseppe Mazzara, Marketing Communication & CRM Director: “Over the course of these twenty years, the evolution of the Picanto has followed the evolution of the KIA brand. We worked on the most rational sphere, so the Picanto was a solid and very high quality product. With the current generation, the Picanto becomes part of the new vision of the Brand. Our little one has the same language as its bigger sisters. The target also changes, with the launch of the new generation, women will always represent an important customer share, but also a younger audience, not in terms of age but in terms of spirit”.
The new KIA Picanto It is already present in Italian dealerships.
Road test
Agile, agile and above all, comfortable, the new KIA Picanto represents the natural evolution of three successful generations.
It has everything needed to accompany the pilot and passengers on quick city transfers, but thanks to its remarkable construction quality, it also offers valid support on long transfers.
The one-liter engine is silent and is a champion of efficiency. On the road, it carries out its task very well, that of keeping consumption as low as possible and also ensuring fast and safe overtaking. All you need to do is shift down a gear to get the right sparkle. Suspension absorption is excellent, even on cobblestones comfort is always high.
The new KIA Picanto also focuses on connectivity. The infotainment system has been revised, capable of guaranteeing easy and fast connections with the latest generation smartphones. The possibility of sharing Apple CarPlay e Android Auto It certainly represents a further step towards a higher segment, at least in terms of equipment.
Excellent the
steering response, precise and light when manoeuvring, in the city it is perfect.
The new Picanto it therefore represents a further evolution towards a compact, connected, efficient and above all comfortable city car.
