Kia Boosts Picanto Range With SUV Variant
By Kia New Zealand Sep 6th 2017
The Kia Picanto city car range will be boosted with the introduction of an SUV variant that delivers bold styling and more power from a turbocharged engine.
Unveiled at this month’s Frankfurt Motor Show, the all-new Picanto X-Line model further broadens the appeal of the range that was recently launched in New Zealand.
It goes on sale in Europe by the end of the year and Kia Motors New Zealand has confirmed the super compact SUV will go on sale here too but is yet to confirm a launch date.
Kia Motors New Zealand General Manager, Todd McDonald, says: “The X-Line is an exciting model and we’re very much looking forward to seeing it join our Picanto line-up.
“We’ve had a very positive response to the new Picanto since it went on sale here and the SUV styling of the X-Line adds another dimension. It’s very much on trend.”
Arguably the best looking mini car on the market, the completely re-designed Picanto recently entered the New Zealand markets with three models, beginning with the LX manual, priced from a recommended $18,490+ORC, an LX Auto ($18,990+ORC) and a sports-styled GT Line auto ($21,490+ORC). All are powered by a naturally aspirated 4-cylinder 1.2-litre petrol engine and feature Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) as standard.The new X-Line SUV spices up the Kia Picanto formula with a more rugged body design that is highlighted by contrasting colour packs, along with raised ground clearance (now 156mm, 15mm higher than the standard Picanto) to give the driver a clearer view of the road.
Incorporating Kia’s signature ‘tiger-nose’ grille, the X-Line boasts more imposing SUV-style bumpers with metal-look skid plates at the front and rear that give it a more confident and go-anywhere appearance. A unique grille and fog lamp surrounds are finished with lime green or silver highlights, while black cladding around the wheel arches enhances the visual effect of the raised ground clearance.
Under the bonnet, the new Picanto X-Line benefits from Kia’s 1.0-litre T-GDI (turbocharged gasoline direct injection) engine, making it the most powerful Picanto ever.
As well as offering high efficiency and low emissions, the lightweight nature of the new T-GDI engine perfectly suits the Picanto’s fun-to-drive character. The 1.0-litre T-GDI engine delivers 75kW (100hp) at 4,500 rpm and 172Nm of torque between 1,500 and 4,000 rpm. It’s also very frugal, capable of 4.5 L/100km in the combined New European Driving Cycle.
The Kia Picanto X-Line is fitted with many of the features available in other Picanto models, including 16-inch aluminium alloy wheels (GT Line), aluminium pedals, LED daytime running lights and fog lamps, keyless entry (GT Line), Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ for full smartphone integration. Like the Picanto GT Line, the Picanto X-Line is fitted as standard with a sporty D-cut steering wheel.