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Question of the Day: Oldest working tech or appliance in your house that you refuse to replace?
2017 Kia Picanto (3rd Gen)
- Thread starter FiestaST
- Start date
The some of current models do.
FiestaST
Honorary Master
[video=youtube_share;96NtagstpUU]https://youtu.be/96NtagstpUU[/video]
FiestaST
Honorary Master
FiestaST
Honorary Master
[video=youtube_share;6ENIq2IwHtQ]https://youtu.be/6ENIq2IwHtQ[/video]
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Kia Picanto - 3rd Quarter of 2017
The little Kia Picanto has been a strong seller in South Africa, even as the current model is nearing the end of its product lifecycle. The all-new model is therefore a very important one. It offers more interior space, a greater focus on in-car connectivity and is powered by 1.0-litre engines (naturally aspirated, or turbocharged).
http://www.cars.co.za/motoring_news/update-cars-coming-to-sa-in-2017/42927/#.WT5ltFV95hE
The little Kia Picanto has been a strong seller in South Africa, even as the current model is nearing the end of its product lifecycle. The all-new model is therefore a very important one. It offers more interior space, a greater focus on in-car connectivity and is powered by 1.0-litre engines (naturally aspirated, or turbocharged).
http://www.cars.co.za/motoring_news/update-cars-coming-to-sa-in-2017/42927/#.WT5ltFV95hE
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Launching today friends
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Cars.co.za first look at the 2017 Picanto
[video=youtube_share;DAz_9f1Fk7Q]https://youtu.be/DAz_9f1Fk7Q[/video]
[video=youtube_share;DAz_9f1Fk7Q]https://youtu.be/DAz_9f1Fk7Q[/video]
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Kia Picanto (2017) Specs & Price
The all-new third-generation Kia Picanto is now available in South Africa with a youthful exterior design as well as a new cabin design and technology features. Take a look at details and pricing for the new Picanto!
The Picanto is one of Kia’s best-selling models globally with over 1.4 million Picanto’s sold since 2011. The new Kia Picanto builds on the success of its predecessor with a new design while the interior has also been enhanced with a fresh design and new technological features. Take a look at what the new Picanto has to offer...
What’s changed?
Exterior design
The new Picanto's dimensions are identical to the outgoing model, but the wheelbase has grown by 15 mm.
Designed through a collaboration of Kia’s design centres in Namyang, Korea and Frankfurt, Germany, the new Picanto features a more ‘youthful and energetic’ look. The new Picanto’s wheelbase has increased by 15 mm with the wheels pushed further out to the corners resulting in a 25 mm shorter front overhang. It’s length, width and height remain unchanged.
Horizontal lines run across the front of the vehicle, emphasising the ‘tiger-nose’ grille and new angular wrap-around headlights. Vertical lines seen in the lower grille and air intakes give the Picanto a bolder face. Lines running along the side skirts, shoulder and wheel arches add to the Picanto’s new look. The new Picanto has a wide C-pillar and the rear overhang is now 10 mm longer.
No fewer than 11 vibrant exterior paint finishes are available with 6 new colours to choose from including Lime Light, Shiny Red, Aurora Black, Pop Orange, Sparkling Silver and Celestial Blue pearlescent metallic finishes. Depending on the derivative, the Picanto rides on either 13 or 14-inch steel wheels with wheel covers or 14 and 15-inch alloy wheels. High-spec derivatives are fitted with new projection headlights with LED indicators and LED daytime running lights.
Interior improvements
The Picanto's interior design is a vastly improved with higher quality materials and finishes.
This latest Picanto features a more modern and refined cabin design, boasting new materials and larger dimensions. High-spec Picanto derivative benefit from a ‘floating’ 7-inch full-colour touchscreen display while the entry-level derivatives feature a 3.8-inch TFT LCD audio system. The new 7-inch infotainment system offers Bluetooth and supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for full smartphone integration. A USB and Auxiliary port is also standard.
A 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system is offered on high-spec Picanto derivatives.
High-spec derivatives also feature a rear-view parking camera with guidelines, electrically folding heated mirrors and two-tone black and grey leather upholstery. Black cloth seats are fitted as standard on entry-level derivatives.
In terms of practicality, the new Picanto offers more leg and headroom for rear passengers while the base of the dashboard has been raised by 15 mm, improving leg and knee room for the front passenger and driver. High-spec derivatives also feature a sliding armrest that can move back and forth by some 55 mm and covers a small storage compartment designed to store a sunglasses case. The base of the centre console has a double-shelf tray to store other items. Two retractable cup holders are also fitted and can be folded away if you don’t need them. A new vanity mirror with LED lights is offered as an option on high specification derivatives.
The boot offers increased volume with a stepped floor that increases space or hides items out of sight.
The luggage bay has grown by 55 litres, now offering 255 litres of space with a 2-step boot floor which can be raised or lowered by 145 mm to access additional space or to store items out of sight. The rear seats can be folded down in a 60:40 configuration, increasing space to 1 010 litres.
Ride quality and refinement
Hyundai says that ride quality has improved with enhancements made to the front MacPherson strut and rear torsion beam. The front anti-roll bars are 2% stiffer and mounted slightly lower while the rear anti-roll bars are 5% stiffer and mounted slightly higher. The rear torsion beam has newly-designed trailing arms resulting in a weight saving of 1.8 kg. A new column-mounted, motor-driven steering rack is fitted with 13% improvement in the steering ratio, contributing to enhanced steering response and makes the Picanto easier to drive at low speeds or in the city.
Cabin insulation has also been improved to reduce vibration and noise while driving. A new soundproofing panel is fitted beneath the dashboard and in the cabin floor while expandable sound-absorbent foam has been applied to the lower sections of the B and C-pillars. Reshaped air intakes further isolate engine noise from the cabin and the revised engine mounts help reduce engine vibrations. The windscreen wipers have also been lowered by 6 mm to reduce wind noise at the base of the windscreen. Hyundai claims that the new Picanto is the quietest car in its class…
Safety
ABS is offered on all Picanto derivatives, except the entry-level offerings. A total of 2 airbags for the driver and passenger are fitted and ISOFIX child seat mounts are standard across the range.
Engine choice and range
Two petrol engines, 2 transmissions and 4 trim lines make up the local Picanto lineup.
Two engines power the new Kia Picanto including the familiar, but enhanced 1.0-litre and 1.25-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engines. Both engines are mated to a 5-speed manual transmission while some derivatives feature a 4-speed automatic transmission. The 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder engine offers 49 kW and 96 Nm of torque while the 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder engine offers 61 kW and 122 Nm of torque.
A total of 8 Picanto derivatives (4 for each engine) are on offer across 4 specification grades including Start, Street, Style and Smart.
The entry-level Picanto Start derivatives are fitted with standard features such as air-conditioning, tilt-adjustable steering, a radio with RDS and MP3 capability, Aux and USB connector jacks, Bluetooth connectivity and two speakers.
The next level up is the Picanto Street, adding features such as electric front windows, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, remote central locking with an alarm and immobilizer, as well as driver’s seat height adjustment.
The Picanto Style derivatives are further specified with front projection fog lamps, daytime running lights, automatic light control, a rear window wiper and front seatback pockets.
The range-topping Picanto Smart derivatives come fully equipped with bi-function projection headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED rear combination lights, electrically-folding and heated side mirrors with integrated LED indicator lamps, aluminium pedals, two-tone cloth and leather upholstery, a leather-upholstered steering wheel and gear knob, the 7-inch full colour infotainment system, Bluetooth with Voice Recognition and a rear park distance control system with an integrated reverse camera with dynamic guidelines. An optional sunroof is offered on all Smart derivatives for an additional R8 500.
Kia Picanto – prices in South Africa (July 2017)
1.0 START Manual R134 995
1.0 STREET Manual R149 995
1.0 STYLE Manual R159 995
1.0 STYLE Auto R172 995
1.0 SMART Manual R179 995
1.2 START Manual R150 995
1.2 START Auto R163 995
1.2 STREET Manual R165 995
1.2 STYLE Manual R175 995
1.2 STYLE Auto R188 995
1.2 SMART Manual R195 995
The Kia Picanto is sold with a 5-year/unlimited km warranty and 3-year/unlimited km Roadside Assistance. A service plan is offered as an option.
http://www.cars.co.za/motoring_news/kia-picanto-2017-specs--price-with-video/43652/
The all-new third-generation Kia Picanto is now available in South Africa with a youthful exterior design as well as a new cabin design and technology features. Take a look at details and pricing for the new Picanto!
The Picanto is one of Kia’s best-selling models globally with over 1.4 million Picanto’s sold since 2011. The new Kia Picanto builds on the success of its predecessor with a new design while the interior has also been enhanced with a fresh design and new technological features. Take a look at what the new Picanto has to offer...
What’s changed?
Exterior design
The new Picanto's dimensions are identical to the outgoing model, but the wheelbase has grown by 15 mm.
Designed through a collaboration of Kia’s design centres in Namyang, Korea and Frankfurt, Germany, the new Picanto features a more ‘youthful and energetic’ look. The new Picanto’s wheelbase has increased by 15 mm with the wheels pushed further out to the corners resulting in a 25 mm shorter front overhang. It’s length, width and height remain unchanged.
Horizontal lines run across the front of the vehicle, emphasising the ‘tiger-nose’ grille and new angular wrap-around headlights. Vertical lines seen in the lower grille and air intakes give the Picanto a bolder face. Lines running along the side skirts, shoulder and wheel arches add to the Picanto’s new look. The new Picanto has a wide C-pillar and the rear overhang is now 10 mm longer.
No fewer than 11 vibrant exterior paint finishes are available with 6 new colours to choose from including Lime Light, Shiny Red, Aurora Black, Pop Orange, Sparkling Silver and Celestial Blue pearlescent metallic finishes. Depending on the derivative, the Picanto rides on either 13 or 14-inch steel wheels with wheel covers or 14 and 15-inch alloy wheels. High-spec derivatives are fitted with new projection headlights with LED indicators and LED daytime running lights.
Interior improvements
The Picanto's interior design is a vastly improved with higher quality materials and finishes.
This latest Picanto features a more modern and refined cabin design, boasting new materials and larger dimensions. High-spec Picanto derivative benefit from a ‘floating’ 7-inch full-colour touchscreen display while the entry-level derivatives feature a 3.8-inch TFT LCD audio system. The new 7-inch infotainment system offers Bluetooth and supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for full smartphone integration. A USB and Auxiliary port is also standard.
A 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system is offered on high-spec Picanto derivatives.
High-spec derivatives also feature a rear-view parking camera with guidelines, electrically folding heated mirrors and two-tone black and grey leather upholstery. Black cloth seats are fitted as standard on entry-level derivatives.
In terms of practicality, the new Picanto offers more leg and headroom for rear passengers while the base of the dashboard has been raised by 15 mm, improving leg and knee room for the front passenger and driver. High-spec derivatives also feature a sliding armrest that can move back and forth by some 55 mm and covers a small storage compartment designed to store a sunglasses case. The base of the centre console has a double-shelf tray to store other items. Two retractable cup holders are also fitted and can be folded away if you don’t need them. A new vanity mirror with LED lights is offered as an option on high specification derivatives.
The boot offers increased volume with a stepped floor that increases space or hides items out of sight.
The luggage bay has grown by 55 litres, now offering 255 litres of space with a 2-step boot floor which can be raised or lowered by 145 mm to access additional space or to store items out of sight. The rear seats can be folded down in a 60:40 configuration, increasing space to 1 010 litres.
Ride quality and refinement
Hyundai says that ride quality has improved with enhancements made to the front MacPherson strut and rear torsion beam. The front anti-roll bars are 2% stiffer and mounted slightly lower while the rear anti-roll bars are 5% stiffer and mounted slightly higher. The rear torsion beam has newly-designed trailing arms resulting in a weight saving of 1.8 kg. A new column-mounted, motor-driven steering rack is fitted with 13% improvement in the steering ratio, contributing to enhanced steering response and makes the Picanto easier to drive at low speeds or in the city.
Cabin insulation has also been improved to reduce vibration and noise while driving. A new soundproofing panel is fitted beneath the dashboard and in the cabin floor while expandable sound-absorbent foam has been applied to the lower sections of the B and C-pillars. Reshaped air intakes further isolate engine noise from the cabin and the revised engine mounts help reduce engine vibrations. The windscreen wipers have also been lowered by 6 mm to reduce wind noise at the base of the windscreen. Hyundai claims that the new Picanto is the quietest car in its class…
Safety
ABS is offered on all Picanto derivatives, except the entry-level offerings. A total of 2 airbags for the driver and passenger are fitted and ISOFIX child seat mounts are standard across the range.
Engine choice and range
Two petrol engines, 2 transmissions and 4 trim lines make up the local Picanto lineup.
Two engines power the new Kia Picanto including the familiar, but enhanced 1.0-litre and 1.25-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engines. Both engines are mated to a 5-speed manual transmission while some derivatives feature a 4-speed automatic transmission. The 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder engine offers 49 kW and 96 Nm of torque while the 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder engine offers 61 kW and 122 Nm of torque.
A total of 8 Picanto derivatives (4 for each engine) are on offer across 4 specification grades including Start, Street, Style and Smart.
The entry-level Picanto Start derivatives are fitted with standard features such as air-conditioning, tilt-adjustable steering, a radio with RDS and MP3 capability, Aux and USB connector jacks, Bluetooth connectivity and two speakers.
The next level up is the Picanto Street, adding features such as electric front windows, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, remote central locking with an alarm and immobilizer, as well as driver’s seat height adjustment.
The Picanto Style derivatives are further specified with front projection fog lamps, daytime running lights, automatic light control, a rear window wiper and front seatback pockets.
The range-topping Picanto Smart derivatives come fully equipped with bi-function projection headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED rear combination lights, electrically-folding and heated side mirrors with integrated LED indicator lamps, aluminium pedals, two-tone cloth and leather upholstery, a leather-upholstered steering wheel and gear knob, the 7-inch full colour infotainment system, Bluetooth with Voice Recognition and a rear park distance control system with an integrated reverse camera with dynamic guidelines. An optional sunroof is offered on all Smart derivatives for an additional R8 500.
Kia Picanto – prices in South Africa (July 2017)
1.0 START Manual R134 995
1.0 STREET Manual R149 995
1.0 STYLE Manual R159 995
1.0 STYLE Auto R172 995
1.0 SMART Manual R179 995
1.2 START Manual R150 995
1.2 START Auto R163 995
1.2 STREET Manual R165 995
1.2 STYLE Manual R175 995
1.2 STYLE Auto R188 995
1.2 SMART Manual R195 995
The Kia Picanto is sold with a 5-year/unlimited km warranty and 3-year/unlimited km Roadside Assistance. A service plan is offered as an option.
http://www.cars.co.za/motoring_news/kia-picanto-2017-specs--price-with-video/43652/
FiestaST
Honorary Master
All-new Picanto is here: SA prices & specs
Kia’s all-new Picanto hatch is being launched in South Africa this week, sporting a more mature design, improved practicality and some new gadgets.
The redesigned hatch is roughly the same size at its predecessor, measuring 3595mm in length and 1595mm in width, but has been repackaged to offer more cabin space, while the boot grows by a useful 55 litres to total 255 with the back seats in place.
Unfortunately South Africans aren’t getting the 1-litre turbopetrol engine option offered overseas, for now at least, so at launch your choice is limited to a pair of normally aspirated petrol engines.
The 1-litre three-cylinder unit produces 49kW at 5500rpm and 95Nm at 3750rpm (down from its predecessor’s 51kW, although torque is up by 1Nm), while the 1.2 four-cylinder unit has also had a slight detune (from 65kW to 61kW at 6000rpm), although torque is up from 120Nm to 122Nm, still at 4000rpm.
Walk through the range
Kia South Africa is offering a much broader range than before, with a choice of Start, Street, Style and Smart trim grades. Thankfully Kia hasn’t forgotten the affordability factor in these hard times with pricing on the base model, at R134 995, rising by just R5000 over the previous model, although feature indulgence can make things quite expensive, with the range-topper almost hitting the R200 000 mark.
The Start base models also skimp on some safety and comfort features to keep the price low. As before the cheapest Picantos have an airbag for the driver, but not for the front passenger, and ABS brakes has also been left out of the equation.
The Start does pack the basic comfort features, however, with air conditioning, power steering and a two-speaker audio system with USB and Aux ports being part of the deal.
Next up is the Street specification grade, starting at R149 995 and adding the passenger airbag and ABS, along with remote central locking, driver seat height adjustment, audio controls on the steering wheel and bigger steel wheels (up from 13 to 14 inches in diameter).
The Style derivative adds 14-inch alloy wheels as well as foglights, daytime running lights, a rear window wiper, auto light control and two extra speakers.
But if you’re really serious about features it can only be the ‘Smart’ flagship model, which adds electric window and mirror control, a 17.8cm touchscreen multimedia system with Bluetooth and voice recognition, reverse camera and rear park distance control. The Smart also gains a leather steering wheel and gear knob, aluminium pedals and partial leather seat upholstery.
IOL’s Dave Abrahams is currently attending the Picanto’s local launch, so watch this space for a more comprehensive story, with driving impressions, later in the week.
KIA PICANTO PRICES
1-litre, three-cylinder:
1.0 Start manual R134 995
1.0 Street manual R149 995
1.0 Style manual R159 995
1.0 Style auto R172 995
1.0 Smart manual R179 995
1.2-litre, four-cylinder:
1.2 Start manual R150 995
1.2 Start auto R163 995
1.2 Street manual R165 995
1.2 Style manual R175 995
1.2 Style auto R188 995
1.2 Smart manual R195 995
http://www.iol.co.za/motoring/latest-launches/all-new-picanto-is-here-sa-prices--specs-10231917
Kia’s all-new Picanto hatch is being launched in South Africa this week, sporting a more mature design, improved practicality and some new gadgets.
The redesigned hatch is roughly the same size at its predecessor, measuring 3595mm in length and 1595mm in width, but has been repackaged to offer more cabin space, while the boot grows by a useful 55 litres to total 255 with the back seats in place.
Unfortunately South Africans aren’t getting the 1-litre turbopetrol engine option offered overseas, for now at least, so at launch your choice is limited to a pair of normally aspirated petrol engines.
The 1-litre three-cylinder unit produces 49kW at 5500rpm and 95Nm at 3750rpm (down from its predecessor’s 51kW, although torque is up by 1Nm), while the 1.2 four-cylinder unit has also had a slight detune (from 65kW to 61kW at 6000rpm), although torque is up from 120Nm to 122Nm, still at 4000rpm.
Walk through the range
Kia South Africa is offering a much broader range than before, with a choice of Start, Street, Style and Smart trim grades. Thankfully Kia hasn’t forgotten the affordability factor in these hard times with pricing on the base model, at R134 995, rising by just R5000 over the previous model, although feature indulgence can make things quite expensive, with the range-topper almost hitting the R200 000 mark.
The Start base models also skimp on some safety and comfort features to keep the price low. As before the cheapest Picantos have an airbag for the driver, but not for the front passenger, and ABS brakes has also been left out of the equation.
The Start does pack the basic comfort features, however, with air conditioning, power steering and a two-speaker audio system with USB and Aux ports being part of the deal.
Next up is the Street specification grade, starting at R149 995 and adding the passenger airbag and ABS, along with remote central locking, driver seat height adjustment, audio controls on the steering wheel and bigger steel wheels (up from 13 to 14 inches in diameter).
The Style derivative adds 14-inch alloy wheels as well as foglights, daytime running lights, a rear window wiper, auto light control and two extra speakers.
But if you’re really serious about features it can only be the ‘Smart’ flagship model, which adds electric window and mirror control, a 17.8cm touchscreen multimedia system with Bluetooth and voice recognition, reverse camera and rear park distance control. The Smart also gains a leather steering wheel and gear knob, aluminium pedals and partial leather seat upholstery.
IOL’s Dave Abrahams is currently attending the Picanto’s local launch, so watch this space for a more comprehensive story, with driving impressions, later in the week.
KIA PICANTO PRICES
1-litre, three-cylinder:
1.0 Start manual R134 995
1.0 Street manual R149 995
1.0 Style manual R159 995
1.0 Style auto R172 995
1.0 Smart manual R179 995
1.2-litre, four-cylinder:
1.2 Start manual R150 995
1.2 Start auto R163 995
1.2 Street manual R165 995
1.2 Style manual R175 995
1.2 Style auto R188 995
1.2 Smart manual R195 995
http://www.iol.co.za/motoring/latest-launches/all-new-picanto-is-here-sa-prices--specs-10231917
Nice looking car, good specs...but just disappointing to see the 1.0 Turbo not part of the lineup yet. On Kia UK's website, the same story, so not unique to SA but still...
Also sad to see wheel size down from 14" or 15" (on the previous gen) to 13" or 14" (depending on spec)...IMHO it doesn't help Kia to boast how the new gen is more mature, has improved road handling, better quality interior etc but then they put smaller wheels on it?
I know it is probably to save on costs and most buyers will not care, but it is still a step backwards, doesn't make sense to me personally.
Also sad to see wheel size down from 14" or 15" (on the previous gen) to 13" or 14" (depending on spec)...IMHO it doesn't help Kia to boast how the new gen is more mature, has improved road handling, better quality interior etc but then they put smaller wheels on it?
I know it is probably to save on costs and most buyers will not care, but it is still a step backwards, doesn't make sense to me personally.
FiestaST
Honorary Master
FiestaST
Honorary Master
We have local pricing for the new Kia Picanto!
The Kia Picanto was officially revealed at the beginning of 2017 with a 1,0-litre turbo-triple (that isn’t coming to SA at launch). Now, the new Picanto has officially arrived in South Africa and we have pricing.
With the all-new engine not yet available for our market, South Africa-bound Picanto models are instead powered by the same (nevertheless impressive) naturally aspirated 1,0-litre three-cylinder and 1,2-litre four-cylinder engines carried over from the previous range.
Somewhat peculiarly, both engines are a little bit down on power compared with previously. The 1,0-litre now delivers 49 kW, while the 1,2-litre has been dropped to 61 kW, from 65. Compensating for this adjustment is slightly more torque from both mills. The 1,0 now pushes 95 N.m of torque and the 1,2-litre is up to 122 N.m. In the end, both claimed 0-100 km/h times are unaffected.
Either engine can be paired with one of four different trim levels: Start, Street, Style and Smart. They are also available with a choice of either an automatic or manual transmission.
Pricing is as follows:
Kia Picanto 1,0 Start manual: R134 995
Kia Picanto 1,0 Street manual: R149 995
Kia Picanto 1,0 Style manual: R159 995
Kia Picanto 1,0 Style auto: R172 995
Kia Picanto 1,0 Smart manual: R179 995
Kia Picanto 1,2 Start manual: R150 995
Kia Picanto 1,2 Start auto: R163 995
Kia Picanto 1,2 Street manual: R165 995
Kia Picanto 1,2 Style manual: R175 995
Kia Picanto 1,2 Style auto: R188 995
Kia Picanto 1,2 Smart manual: R195 995
All models will feature the five-year/unlimited km warranty.
http://www.carmag.co.za/news_post/we-have-local-pricing-for-the-new-kia-picanto/
The Kia Picanto was officially revealed at the beginning of 2017 with a 1,0-litre turbo-triple (that isn’t coming to SA at launch). Now, the new Picanto has officially arrived in South Africa and we have pricing.
With the all-new engine not yet available for our market, South Africa-bound Picanto models are instead powered by the same (nevertheless impressive) naturally aspirated 1,0-litre three-cylinder and 1,2-litre four-cylinder engines carried over from the previous range.
Somewhat peculiarly, both engines are a little bit down on power compared with previously. The 1,0-litre now delivers 49 kW, while the 1,2-litre has been dropped to 61 kW, from 65. Compensating for this adjustment is slightly more torque from both mills. The 1,0 now pushes 95 N.m of torque and the 1,2-litre is up to 122 N.m. In the end, both claimed 0-100 km/h times are unaffected.
Either engine can be paired with one of four different trim levels: Start, Street, Style and Smart. They are also available with a choice of either an automatic or manual transmission.
Pricing is as follows:
Kia Picanto 1,0 Start manual: R134 995
Kia Picanto 1,0 Street manual: R149 995
Kia Picanto 1,0 Style manual: R159 995
Kia Picanto 1,0 Style auto: R172 995
Kia Picanto 1,0 Smart manual: R179 995
Kia Picanto 1,2 Start manual: R150 995
Kia Picanto 1,2 Start auto: R163 995
Kia Picanto 1,2 Street manual: R165 995
Kia Picanto 1,2 Style manual: R175 995
Kia Picanto 1,2 Style auto: R188 995
Kia Picanto 1,2 Smart manual: R195 995
All models will feature the five-year/unlimited km warranty.
http://www.carmag.co.za/news_post/we-have-local-pricing-for-the-new-kia-picanto/
FiestaST
Honorary Master
No ABS on the base car is a major fail in my book
All-new Kia Picanto arrives in SA
• New design
• New cabin with ‘floating’ HMI
• More spacious interior
• Improved boot space
Cape Town – New design, enhanced technology, improved interior space... Kia has launched its new third-generation Picanto in South Africa.
The new city car will be on sale from July 14 2017. It's available with two petrol engine options (1.0-litre and 1.2-litre) and three specifications (Start, Street and Style). Prices start from R134 995 for the 1.0 Start Manual.
The new Picanto is no larger than the model it replaces; 1.4m tall, 3.5m long and 1.5m wide. Built on a new platform, the new city car boasts a longer wheelbase and longer rear overhang (the front overhang is reduced by 25mm, to 675mm).
In terms of design, it gains strong straight lines that run horizontally across the front of the car, emphasising its "tiger-nose" grille and new wrap-around headlights. It also gains lines along its flanks, shoulder and wheel arches.
Prices:
Picanto 1.0 START Manual - R134 995
Picanto 1.0 STREET Manual - R149 995
Picanto 1.0 STYLE Manual - R159 995
Picanto 1.0 STYLE Auto - R172 995
Picanto 1.0 SMART Manual - R179 995
Picanto 1.2 START Manual - R150 995
Picanto 1.2 START Auto - R163 995
Picanto 1.2 STREET Manual - R165 995
Picanto 1.2 STYLE Manual - R175 995
Picanto 1.2 STYLE Auto - R188 995
Picanto 1.2 SMART Manual R195 995
Engines
The 1.0- and 1.25-litre naturally aspirated multi-point injection (MPI) petrol engines are carried over from the outgoing Picanto but feature a range of enhancements to improve efficiency and overall responsiveness. Both engines are paired with a five-speed manual transmission delivering power to the front wheels. An optional four-speed automatic is available.
The 1.0-litre MPI produces 49kW/96Nm while the 1.25-litre MPI engine is rated at 61kW/122Nm.
Start or Smart?
The entry level Start has manual aircon, tilt-adjustable steering, a radio (with RDS and MP3 capability), Aux and USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity and two speakers.
Street versions add power front windows, steering wheel-mounted controls, remote central locking with an alarm and immobiliser and driver’s seat height adjustment. Style versions gain front projection foglights, daytime running lights, auto light control, a rear window wiper and front seat back pockets.
Top-of-the-range Smart derivatives are fitted with bi-function projection headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED rear combination lights, electrically-folding, heated side-mirrors (with integrated LED indicators), aluminium pedals, two-tone cloth and leather upholstery, a leather-upholstered steering wheel and gear knob, the 7" colour infotainment system, Bluetooth with Voice Recognition.
Lower specification derivatives feature a 3.8" monochrome TFT LCD audio system while high-spec variants sport a 7" full-colour touchscreen with Bluetooth connectivity. The 7" touchscreen supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Auxiliary and USB ports are located at the base of the centre console.
The Picanto is available in a choice of 11 colours and depending on the model can be fitted with either 13" or 14" steel wheels with stylish wheel covers, or a choice of 14" and 15" aluminium alloy wheel designs.
More space
Luggage capacity grows from 200 litres to 255 litres and is available with a two-step boot floor, which can be raised or lowered by 145mm. The rear-seat bench can be folded down increasing cargo capacity to 1010 litres.
All models bar the entry-level variants are fitted with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), as well as a driver and passenger airbag. All versions have ISOFIX child seat anchors.
A sunroof is available as an option on the Smart versions for an additional R8500. Adding even further value to the Kia Picanto package is KIA’s class-leading 5-year or Unlimited Kilometre Warranty, inclusive of 3-years or Unlimited Kilometres Roadside Assistance, as standard. A service is available as an option through Kia Financial Services.
http://www.wheels24.co.za/NewModels/2017-kia-picanto-in-sa-prices-details-and-pics-20170712
All-new Kia Picanto arrives in SA
• New design
• New cabin with ‘floating’ HMI
• More spacious interior
• Improved boot space
Cape Town – New design, enhanced technology, improved interior space... Kia has launched its new third-generation Picanto in South Africa.
The new city car will be on sale from July 14 2017. It's available with two petrol engine options (1.0-litre and 1.2-litre) and three specifications (Start, Street and Style). Prices start from R134 995 for the 1.0 Start Manual.
The new Picanto is no larger than the model it replaces; 1.4m tall, 3.5m long and 1.5m wide. Built on a new platform, the new city car boasts a longer wheelbase and longer rear overhang (the front overhang is reduced by 25mm, to 675mm).
In terms of design, it gains strong straight lines that run horizontally across the front of the car, emphasising its "tiger-nose" grille and new wrap-around headlights. It also gains lines along its flanks, shoulder and wheel arches.
Prices:
Picanto 1.0 START Manual - R134 995
Picanto 1.0 STREET Manual - R149 995
Picanto 1.0 STYLE Manual - R159 995
Picanto 1.0 STYLE Auto - R172 995
Picanto 1.0 SMART Manual - R179 995
Picanto 1.2 START Manual - R150 995
Picanto 1.2 START Auto - R163 995
Picanto 1.2 STREET Manual - R165 995
Picanto 1.2 STYLE Manual - R175 995
Picanto 1.2 STYLE Auto - R188 995
Picanto 1.2 SMART Manual R195 995
Engines
The 1.0- and 1.25-litre naturally aspirated multi-point injection (MPI) petrol engines are carried over from the outgoing Picanto but feature a range of enhancements to improve efficiency and overall responsiveness. Both engines are paired with a five-speed manual transmission delivering power to the front wheels. An optional four-speed automatic is available.
The 1.0-litre MPI produces 49kW/96Nm while the 1.25-litre MPI engine is rated at 61kW/122Nm.
Start or Smart?
The entry level Start has manual aircon, tilt-adjustable steering, a radio (with RDS and MP3 capability), Aux and USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity and two speakers.
Street versions add power front windows, steering wheel-mounted controls, remote central locking with an alarm and immobiliser and driver’s seat height adjustment. Style versions gain front projection foglights, daytime running lights, auto light control, a rear window wiper and front seat back pockets.
Top-of-the-range Smart derivatives are fitted with bi-function projection headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED rear combination lights, electrically-folding, heated side-mirrors (with integrated LED indicators), aluminium pedals, two-tone cloth and leather upholstery, a leather-upholstered steering wheel and gear knob, the 7" colour infotainment system, Bluetooth with Voice Recognition.
Lower specification derivatives feature a 3.8" monochrome TFT LCD audio system while high-spec variants sport a 7" full-colour touchscreen with Bluetooth connectivity. The 7" touchscreen supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Auxiliary and USB ports are located at the base of the centre console.
The Picanto is available in a choice of 11 colours and depending on the model can be fitted with either 13" or 14" steel wheels with stylish wheel covers, or a choice of 14" and 15" aluminium alloy wheel designs.
More space
Luggage capacity grows from 200 litres to 255 litres and is available with a two-step boot floor, which can be raised or lowered by 145mm. The rear-seat bench can be folded down increasing cargo capacity to 1010 litres.
All models bar the entry-level variants are fitted with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), as well as a driver and passenger airbag. All versions have ISOFIX child seat anchors.
A sunroof is available as an option on the Smart versions for an additional R8500. Adding even further value to the Kia Picanto package is KIA’s class-leading 5-year or Unlimited Kilometre Warranty, inclusive of 3-years or Unlimited Kilometres Roadside Assistance, as standard. A service is available as an option through Kia Financial Services.
http://www.wheels24.co.za/NewModels/2017-kia-picanto-in-sa-prices-details-and-pics-20170712
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Evolution
FiestaST
Honorary Master
New Kia Picanto (2017) Launch Review
The new Kia Picanto arrived in South Africa this week and we attended the local launch in Cape Town to give it a whirl.
The Kia Picanto, also known as Pikachu in the Cars.co.za office, is now in its 3rd generation and the new model was introduced to motoring media in Cape Town this week. The outgoing Picanto has been a sales success for Kia since its introduction in 2011 and is currently one of the most popular offerings in the A-segment locally. Globally, the Picanto success story continues with over 1.4 million Picanto’s finding homes around the world.
Kia believes the new Picanto has what it takes to lead sales in its segment and with high hopes for this latest generation, Kia’s designers have spruced the Picanto up with a fresh exterior design and a newly designed cabin with modern technology and infotainment solutions. More than this, Kia sought to improve things such as ride quality and refinement, practicality and performance, all in a bid to keep the Picanto in the game in the minds of budget conscious buyers.
Read our detailed specification and pricing breakdown of the new Kia Picanto!
Old vs New
Previous generations of the Picanto show how far this city car has come. The new Picanto is much-improved.
Kia is so confident about its new Picanto that our launch route started behind the wheel of the outgoing, second-generation Picanto and although it was a brave move by Kia, it was a useful way to put the newcomer's fresh attributes into perspective.
As a reference point, the outgoing Picanto’s 1.2-litre engine piped up with a hollow engine sound filling the cabin. The sound of the engine was also accompanied by noticeable vibrations permeating through the dashboard and driver’s seat – further evidence of the discontinued car's budget roots. On the road and during cornering, the old Picanto’s steering felt dead at centre with poor response to driver inputs. More than this, the interior quality and design left a lot to be desired.
The new Picanto's styling has been enhanced with a wider tiger-nose grille and new projector headlights with LED elements.
We drove some 40 km to the small town of Philadelphia, where a fleet of new Picanto’s awaited us. Kia only had its top-spec Picanto 1.2 Smart manual on hand for us to drive. From the outside, the Picanto’s styling is far more striking, particularly from the front where attractive projection headlights with LED daytime running lights, LED indicators and a wider tiger-nose grille give the Picanto a pretty face. This derivative rides on 15-inch alloy wheels, while derivatives below it are fitted with smaller rims or wheels.
Stepping into the new Picanto, the cabin has been vastly improved in terms design, material quality and fit and finish. The seats in this 1.2 Smart derivative are far more comfortable too and are upholstered in two-tone grey and black leather. The biggest change, however, is the addition of a full-colour 7-inch floating touchscreen that’s Bluetooth capable and offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You can also connect devices using the USB or auxiliary ports. We found the system easy enough to use and it adds a more premium cabin ambience.
A new cabin design and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system gives the Picanto a more premium look and feel.
Other nice-to-have features in this 1.2 Smart derivative include a multifunction steering wheel, electric windows, electrically adjustable and folding mirrors, height-adjustable driver’s seat, air conditioning, nifty retractable front cup holders, a movable armrest and a new LCD trip computer. The size of the luggage bay has increased by approximately 50 litres to 255 litres and there is a 2-step boot floor that can be lowered by 145 mm to access more space or to keep valuable items hidden out of sight. The rear seats fold flat in a 60:40 configuration, increasing available space to 1 010 litres. In terms of rear-seat comfort, taller rear passengers may find leg- and kneeroom cramped; shoulder- and headroom are adequate, however.
Luggage space has increased to 255 litres and a false floor allows you to store items out of sight.
On the road, the new Picanto is noticeably better than the model it replaces. The engine is far quieter at idle and while driving thanks to engine enhancements and improved cabin insulation. The familiar naturally aspirated 1.2-litre motor offers peak outputs of 61 kW and 122 Nm of torque and is mated with a 5-speed manual transmission.
Even without turbocharging, the engine performs relatively well at low altitude, but it will be more sluggish at the Reef and more so when fully loaded with occupants and their detritus. The transmission is smooth in shifting gears and if you want to get the most from the engine, you will be gearing down fairly often to keep the engine peaking.
The new Picanto offers improved ride quality and better steering response.
Buyers will be happy to know that steering response has improved substantially and the new Picanto is far more responsive to steering inputs. Furthermore, the suspension has been improved too and new Picanto delivered a comfortable ride on our bumpy launch route. The 1.2 Smart derivative is claimed to consume an average of 6.4 L/100km, which is fair.
In terms of safety features, this flagship version is equipped with ABS, 2 airbags and ISOfix child seat mounts. Furthermore, rear park distance control, aided by a reverse camera (with dynamic guidelines) is standard on this derivative. However, it must be noted that entry-level Start derivatives are fitted with only one airbag for the driver and no ABS is offered.
Final thoughts
Like many manufacturers, Kia is at the mercy of the exchange rate and pricing for the new Picanto appears to be more expensive than it should be. At R195 995, this range-topping Picanto 1.2 Smart sits in the upper reaches of the A-segment alongside the Volkswagen Up! and may very well be a push too far for cash-strapped buyers.
There are, however, a total of 11 Picanto derivatives on offer across 4 trim grades with entry-level pricing starting at R134 995, so buyers have a lot choice in the Picanto range.
Overall, buyers should leave previous perceptions of the Picanto at the door because this new iteration is a much-improved product in terms of design, quality, refinement and packaging.
We will have the new Kia Picanto on test soon, so look out for our thorough evaluation coming soon!
Kia Picanto – prices in South Africa (July 2017)
1.0 Start Manual R134 995
1.0 Street Manual R149 995
1.0 Style Manual R159 995
1.0 Style Auto R172 995
1.0 Smart Manual R179 995
1.2 Start Manual R150 995
1.2 Start Auto R163 995
1.2 Street Manual R165 995
1.2 Style Manual R175 995
1.2 Style Auto R188 995
1.2 Smart Manual R195 995
The Kia Picanto is sold with a 5-year/unlimited km warranty and 3-year/unlimited km Roadside Assistance. A service plan is offered as an option.
http://www.cars.co.za/motoring_news/new-kia-picanto-2017-launch-review/43662/
The new Kia Picanto arrived in South Africa this week and we attended the local launch in Cape Town to give it a whirl.
The Kia Picanto, also known as Pikachu in the Cars.co.za office, is now in its 3rd generation and the new model was introduced to motoring media in Cape Town this week. The outgoing Picanto has been a sales success for Kia since its introduction in 2011 and is currently one of the most popular offerings in the A-segment locally. Globally, the Picanto success story continues with over 1.4 million Picanto’s finding homes around the world.
Kia believes the new Picanto has what it takes to lead sales in its segment and with high hopes for this latest generation, Kia’s designers have spruced the Picanto up with a fresh exterior design and a newly designed cabin with modern technology and infotainment solutions. More than this, Kia sought to improve things such as ride quality and refinement, practicality and performance, all in a bid to keep the Picanto in the game in the minds of budget conscious buyers.
Read our detailed specification and pricing breakdown of the new Kia Picanto!
Old vs New
Previous generations of the Picanto show how far this city car has come. The new Picanto is much-improved.
Kia is so confident about its new Picanto that our launch route started behind the wheel of the outgoing, second-generation Picanto and although it was a brave move by Kia, it was a useful way to put the newcomer's fresh attributes into perspective.
As a reference point, the outgoing Picanto’s 1.2-litre engine piped up with a hollow engine sound filling the cabin. The sound of the engine was also accompanied by noticeable vibrations permeating through the dashboard and driver’s seat – further evidence of the discontinued car's budget roots. On the road and during cornering, the old Picanto’s steering felt dead at centre with poor response to driver inputs. More than this, the interior quality and design left a lot to be desired.
The new Picanto's styling has been enhanced with a wider tiger-nose grille and new projector headlights with LED elements.
We drove some 40 km to the small town of Philadelphia, where a fleet of new Picanto’s awaited us. Kia only had its top-spec Picanto 1.2 Smart manual on hand for us to drive. From the outside, the Picanto’s styling is far more striking, particularly from the front where attractive projection headlights with LED daytime running lights, LED indicators and a wider tiger-nose grille give the Picanto a pretty face. This derivative rides on 15-inch alloy wheels, while derivatives below it are fitted with smaller rims or wheels.
Stepping into the new Picanto, the cabin has been vastly improved in terms design, material quality and fit and finish. The seats in this 1.2 Smart derivative are far more comfortable too and are upholstered in two-tone grey and black leather. The biggest change, however, is the addition of a full-colour 7-inch floating touchscreen that’s Bluetooth capable and offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You can also connect devices using the USB or auxiliary ports. We found the system easy enough to use and it adds a more premium cabin ambience.
A new cabin design and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system gives the Picanto a more premium look and feel.
Other nice-to-have features in this 1.2 Smart derivative include a multifunction steering wheel, electric windows, electrically adjustable and folding mirrors, height-adjustable driver’s seat, air conditioning, nifty retractable front cup holders, a movable armrest and a new LCD trip computer. The size of the luggage bay has increased by approximately 50 litres to 255 litres and there is a 2-step boot floor that can be lowered by 145 mm to access more space or to keep valuable items hidden out of sight. The rear seats fold flat in a 60:40 configuration, increasing available space to 1 010 litres. In terms of rear-seat comfort, taller rear passengers may find leg- and kneeroom cramped; shoulder- and headroom are adequate, however.
Luggage space has increased to 255 litres and a false floor allows you to store items out of sight.
On the road, the new Picanto is noticeably better than the model it replaces. The engine is far quieter at idle and while driving thanks to engine enhancements and improved cabin insulation. The familiar naturally aspirated 1.2-litre motor offers peak outputs of 61 kW and 122 Nm of torque and is mated with a 5-speed manual transmission.
Even without turbocharging, the engine performs relatively well at low altitude, but it will be more sluggish at the Reef and more so when fully loaded with occupants and their detritus. The transmission is smooth in shifting gears and if you want to get the most from the engine, you will be gearing down fairly often to keep the engine peaking.
The new Picanto offers improved ride quality and better steering response.
Buyers will be happy to know that steering response has improved substantially and the new Picanto is far more responsive to steering inputs. Furthermore, the suspension has been improved too and new Picanto delivered a comfortable ride on our bumpy launch route. The 1.2 Smart derivative is claimed to consume an average of 6.4 L/100km, which is fair.
In terms of safety features, this flagship version is equipped with ABS, 2 airbags and ISOfix child seat mounts. Furthermore, rear park distance control, aided by a reverse camera (with dynamic guidelines) is standard on this derivative. However, it must be noted that entry-level Start derivatives are fitted with only one airbag for the driver and no ABS is offered.
Final thoughts
Like many manufacturers, Kia is at the mercy of the exchange rate and pricing for the new Picanto appears to be more expensive than it should be. At R195 995, this range-topping Picanto 1.2 Smart sits in the upper reaches of the A-segment alongside the Volkswagen Up! and may very well be a push too far for cash-strapped buyers.
There are, however, a total of 11 Picanto derivatives on offer across 4 trim grades with entry-level pricing starting at R134 995, so buyers have a lot choice in the Picanto range.
Overall, buyers should leave previous perceptions of the Picanto at the door because this new iteration is a much-improved product in terms of design, quality, refinement and packaging.
We will have the new Kia Picanto on test soon, so look out for our thorough evaluation coming soon!
Kia Picanto – prices in South Africa (July 2017)
1.0 Start Manual R134 995
1.0 Street Manual R149 995
1.0 Style Manual R159 995
1.0 Style Auto R172 995
1.0 Smart Manual R179 995
1.2 Start Manual R150 995
1.2 Start Auto R163 995
1.2 Street Manual R165 995
1.2 Style Manual R175 995
1.2 Style Auto R188 995
1.2 Smart Manual R195 995
The Kia Picanto is sold with a 5-year/unlimited km warranty and 3-year/unlimited km Roadside Assistance. A service plan is offered as an option.
http://www.cars.co.za/motoring_news/new-kia-picanto-2017-launch-review/43662/
Brilliant little car!
Price is quite high for the top spec models but on par with the competition...
I can't think of anything more feature packed you can get for R179 995 brand new if you don't mind a little 1000cc motor.
Price is quite high for the top spec models but on par with the competition...
I can't think of anything more feature packed you can get for R179 995 brand new if you don't mind a little 1000cc motor.
FiestaST
Honorary Master
We drive: Kia's grown-up new Picanto
Kia SA marketing manager David Sieff raised a few media eyebrows at the South African launch of the third-generation Picanto this week when he told us the average age of Picanto buyers in this country is 38, thus forever laying to rest the misconception that the Picanto is a student’s car.
And Kia has played right into that with this latest iteration, moving the front wheels forward to extend the wheelbase, increase cabin volume and shorten the front overhang, while increasing the rear overhang to add 55 litres to the boot volume (now a useful 255 litres) without increasing the overall length of the car (3595mm, if you need to know) by a single millimetre.
Yes, it’s a small car, perhaps just a little on the narrow side for two burly old farts with broad shoulders, but neatly laid out, making the best use of budget materials, set off with upmarket leather trim on the top-specced model where it will do the most good - on the steering wheel, gear lever and seat bolsters - so that grownups, stepping into the Picanto for the first time, won’t get the feeling that they’ve been down-graded to cafeteria class.
The new dashboard makes the most of the cabin width with strong horizontal styling cues underlining the ‘floating’ tablet-style centre display and the conventional but very neat instrument cluster, featuring round analogue dials for speeds and revs with a comprehensive monochrome data panel in the middle.
The base of the dashboard has also been moved 15mm upwards to allow more room for the creaky knees of the aforementioned BOF’s, and the top models boast a sliding centre armrest with a lid that lifts to open a little storage compartment that’s been framed specifically to cradle your spare driving glasses.
The only derivative provided for the launch drive was the flagship 1.2 Smart, with five-speed manual ‘box and 15 inch alloy wheels, so I can’t speak for the audio interface with 9.6cm liquid-crystal display on the rest of the range, but the 18cm colour touchscreen in the Smart we drove is straightforward in use (even for grown-ups), with large, intuitively recognisable icons, understandable menus and built-in compatibility with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Bluetooth, and with both USB and auxiliary ports.
And then a needle-sharp rear image with dynamic steering guidelines pops up as soon as the ‘box is put into reverse - an impressive feature in a car costing less than R200 000.
The first 40km of the launch drive was done in the outgoing model, an arguably somewhat risky ploy on the part of the Kia mavens, aimed at highlighting the all-new version's column-mounted electric power steering on the new version, but it paid off.
The original Picanto took a bit of flak for vague steering, and the second generation wasn’t really all that much better, but this one has a new rack, with the electric motor mounted on the steering column and a much quicker steering ratio (from 16.5:1 to 14.3:1) reducing the turns of the wheel lock-to-lock from 3.4 to 2.8 turns.
The difference was immediately apparent, pulling away from the vehicle change; the new Picanto steers more quickly, more accurately and has noticeably more feel around the centre point than did its predecessor.
Kia has also retuned the suspension to suit the new model’s revised footprint, with stiffer anti-roll bars, mounted a little lower in front and a little higher at the rear to reduce pitching and nosedive under braking. The result is a noticeably firmer ride (although part of that may have been due to the lower-profile tyres on the 15 inch rims) but, rather than being less comfortable, it combined with the sharper steering to lend a pleasing sense of confidence in the new Picanto’s road-holding ability.
Seat of the pants
We can’t say much about the slightly detuned engine; it takes a very educated pants’ seat to tell the difference between 65kW and 61kW, and 120Nm and 122Nm, from the driver’s seat. Nevertheless, the 1.2-litre petrol four revs willingly to the naughty side of 5500rpm, making overtaking, even at national-road speeds, merely a matter of waiting for a suitable gap and snicking down a gear. Kia also offers a 1-litre, three-cylinder engine option, rated at 49kW and 95Nm.
The gear-shift, now that we mention it, was light and positive, but felt a little remote, almost as if the snicking-into-the-slot feel had been added on afterwards using spring-loaded detentes, rather than built into the selector mechanism. But it’s a small criticism, if indeed it’s a criticism at all; certainly the car we drove at thoroughly mischievous velocity over Helshoogte to Stellenbosch and very, very slowly, with countless gearshifts, through horrendous city traffic on the latter part of the launch drive, went sweetly into the desired gear every time.
Initially I felt that the gear lever was mounted too far back, making changes that moved the knob towards me a little awkward, until my driving companion showed me how to take advantage of the slick shifting mechanism by dropping my wrist and using my fingertips, rather than ‘rowing the box’ with my whole forearm, whereupon the awkwardness vanished for good.
Kia has made much of its efforts to reduce wind and mechanical noise intruding on the comfort of the occupants - and it works. On smooth tar the new Picanto is impressively quiet and non-vibratious for an entry-level hatch. But, on the coarse, abrasive surface of the Cape’s newer roads, it served only to highlight the excessive tyre roar generated by the launch car’s 185/55 R15 Kumho radials. Unless you are the type of driver that enjoys getting the most out of even a budgetmobile, the 14 inch tyres of the next model down may prove to be a better compromise; certainly, drive both derivatives before you decide which wheels you want on your new Picanto.
KIA PICANTO PRICES
Here again is the table of derivatives and pricing for the third-generation Picanto; they include a five-year, unlimited-distance warranty but not a service plan; that’s an extra-cost option. For a full walk through the range and features by grade, click here.
1-litre, three-cylinder:
1.0 Start manual R134 995
1.0 Street manual R149 995
1.0 Style manual R159 995
1.0 Style auto R172 995
1.0 Smart manual R179 995
1.2-litre, four-cylinder:
1.2 Start manual R150 995
1.2 Start auto R163 995
1.2 Street manual R165 995
1.2 Style manual R175 995
1.2 Style auto R188 995
1.2 Smart manual R195 995
Hovering as it does, at the top of the A segment, many of the Picanto’s competitors are in fact previous-generation sub-B segment body-shells, recycled with updated trim and funky new names. The crisp styling and features of the new Picanto go a long way towards justifying its slightly higher price point, whether you are a cool twenty-something, or a 50+ empty-nester used to more upmarket family cars.
http://www.iol.co.za/motoring/latest-launches/we-drive-kias-grown-up-new-picanto-10249535
Kia SA marketing manager David Sieff raised a few media eyebrows at the South African launch of the third-generation Picanto this week when he told us the average age of Picanto buyers in this country is 38, thus forever laying to rest the misconception that the Picanto is a student’s car.
And Kia has played right into that with this latest iteration, moving the front wheels forward to extend the wheelbase, increase cabin volume and shorten the front overhang, while increasing the rear overhang to add 55 litres to the boot volume (now a useful 255 litres) without increasing the overall length of the car (3595mm, if you need to know) by a single millimetre.
Yes, it’s a small car, perhaps just a little on the narrow side for two burly old farts with broad shoulders, but neatly laid out, making the best use of budget materials, set off with upmarket leather trim on the top-specced model where it will do the most good - on the steering wheel, gear lever and seat bolsters - so that grownups, stepping into the Picanto for the first time, won’t get the feeling that they’ve been down-graded to cafeteria class.
The new dashboard makes the most of the cabin width with strong horizontal styling cues underlining the ‘floating’ tablet-style centre display and the conventional but very neat instrument cluster, featuring round analogue dials for speeds and revs with a comprehensive monochrome data panel in the middle.
The base of the dashboard has also been moved 15mm upwards to allow more room for the creaky knees of the aforementioned BOF’s, and the top models boast a sliding centre armrest with a lid that lifts to open a little storage compartment that’s been framed specifically to cradle your spare driving glasses.
The only derivative provided for the launch drive was the flagship 1.2 Smart, with five-speed manual ‘box and 15 inch alloy wheels, so I can’t speak for the audio interface with 9.6cm liquid-crystal display on the rest of the range, but the 18cm colour touchscreen in the Smart we drove is straightforward in use (even for grown-ups), with large, intuitively recognisable icons, understandable menus and built-in compatibility with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Bluetooth, and with both USB and auxiliary ports.
And then a needle-sharp rear image with dynamic steering guidelines pops up as soon as the ‘box is put into reverse - an impressive feature in a car costing less than R200 000.
The first 40km of the launch drive was done in the outgoing model, an arguably somewhat risky ploy on the part of the Kia mavens, aimed at highlighting the all-new version's column-mounted electric power steering on the new version, but it paid off.
The original Picanto took a bit of flak for vague steering, and the second generation wasn’t really all that much better, but this one has a new rack, with the electric motor mounted on the steering column and a much quicker steering ratio (from 16.5:1 to 14.3:1) reducing the turns of the wheel lock-to-lock from 3.4 to 2.8 turns.
The difference was immediately apparent, pulling away from the vehicle change; the new Picanto steers more quickly, more accurately and has noticeably more feel around the centre point than did its predecessor.
Kia has also retuned the suspension to suit the new model’s revised footprint, with stiffer anti-roll bars, mounted a little lower in front and a little higher at the rear to reduce pitching and nosedive under braking. The result is a noticeably firmer ride (although part of that may have been due to the lower-profile tyres on the 15 inch rims) but, rather than being less comfortable, it combined with the sharper steering to lend a pleasing sense of confidence in the new Picanto’s road-holding ability.
Seat of the pants
We can’t say much about the slightly detuned engine; it takes a very educated pants’ seat to tell the difference between 65kW and 61kW, and 120Nm and 122Nm, from the driver’s seat. Nevertheless, the 1.2-litre petrol four revs willingly to the naughty side of 5500rpm, making overtaking, even at national-road speeds, merely a matter of waiting for a suitable gap and snicking down a gear. Kia also offers a 1-litre, three-cylinder engine option, rated at 49kW and 95Nm.
The gear-shift, now that we mention it, was light and positive, but felt a little remote, almost as if the snicking-into-the-slot feel had been added on afterwards using spring-loaded detentes, rather than built into the selector mechanism. But it’s a small criticism, if indeed it’s a criticism at all; certainly the car we drove at thoroughly mischievous velocity over Helshoogte to Stellenbosch and very, very slowly, with countless gearshifts, through horrendous city traffic on the latter part of the launch drive, went sweetly into the desired gear every time.
Initially I felt that the gear lever was mounted too far back, making changes that moved the knob towards me a little awkward, until my driving companion showed me how to take advantage of the slick shifting mechanism by dropping my wrist and using my fingertips, rather than ‘rowing the box’ with my whole forearm, whereupon the awkwardness vanished for good.
Kia has made much of its efforts to reduce wind and mechanical noise intruding on the comfort of the occupants - and it works. On smooth tar the new Picanto is impressively quiet and non-vibratious for an entry-level hatch. But, on the coarse, abrasive surface of the Cape’s newer roads, it served only to highlight the excessive tyre roar generated by the launch car’s 185/55 R15 Kumho radials. Unless you are the type of driver that enjoys getting the most out of even a budgetmobile, the 14 inch tyres of the next model down may prove to be a better compromise; certainly, drive both derivatives before you decide which wheels you want on your new Picanto.
KIA PICANTO PRICES
Here again is the table of derivatives and pricing for the third-generation Picanto; they include a five-year, unlimited-distance warranty but not a service plan; that’s an extra-cost option. For a full walk through the range and features by grade, click here.
1-litre, three-cylinder:
1.0 Start manual R134 995
1.0 Street manual R149 995
1.0 Style manual R159 995
1.0 Style auto R172 995
1.0 Smart manual R179 995
1.2-litre, four-cylinder:
1.2 Start manual R150 995
1.2 Start auto R163 995
1.2 Street manual R165 995
1.2 Style manual R175 995
1.2 Style auto R188 995
1.2 Smart manual R195 995
Hovering as it does, at the top of the A segment, many of the Picanto’s competitors are in fact previous-generation sub-B segment body-shells, recycled with updated trim and funky new names. The crisp styling and features of the new Picanto go a long way towards justifying its slightly higher price point, whether you are a cool twenty-something, or a 50+ empty-nester used to more upmarket family cars.
http://www.iol.co.za/motoring/latest-launches/we-drive-kias-grown-up-new-picanto-10249535
