Kia Motors unveils third generation Picanto

Wednesday, 21 June 2017 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Poorabi Gaekwad

Kia Motors unveiled its third generation 2017 Picanto, redefining the notion about ‘A’ segment cars, by adding all exciting new features.

A ‘bigger, bolder, and feature-packed model’, Kia Picanto provides a modern, more spacious cabin, as well as a ‘floating touchscreen’ with human-machine interface.

With its precursors having sold more than 1.4 million units since its launch back in 2011, there seems to be high expectations from this year’s model. And it definitely doesn’t seem to disappoint. Picanto has been received positively in Europe as well as Australia. Top Gear calls it a “great all-rounder” with a “refined interior”.

Hoping for a positive response from the people, Kia Motors Managing Director Mahen Thambiah added that the new model has a whole lot of technical features and a lot of improvements on the old car. Inside, the 2017 Picanto provides occupants with more leg and head room than best-selling rivals in the A-segment. A predominantly horizontal design adds greater visual width to the interior, highlighting the increased cabin dimensions. Kia’s designers have created a more modern, redefined cabin with new materials and layout adding a greater sense of quality.

“The Picanto has in the past been described as a small car all grown up, and this new model takes the concept even further, literally, as well as in terms of design, performance and sophistication,” said Thambiah. “It redefines the value for money paradigm and provides a drive that will please the young at heart and the motoring aficionado alike.” In the sphere of safety, the new Picanto’s body shell is cast in Advanced High-Strength Steel (AHSS), which has been used to strengthen the core structure of the car. The new body shell also uses more than eight times the quantity of structural adhesive found in the previous model.

What also makes Picanto better is its more assertive stance with bolder body lines, a longer wheelbase that contributes to a natural improvement in ride quality and stability. It also has new projection headlamps with LED indicators and LED daytime running lights. To make it easier to drive in the city, this model’s new steering rack quickens the steering ratio by 13%, which enables more immediate responses to driver inputs while reducing the turns of the wheel lock-to-lock, making the car more agile and easier to drive at a low speed.

The customers can also select from a wide-range of vibrant colours to make the car stand out. ‘Lime Light’, ‘Shiny Red’ and ‘Pop Orange’ are just a few of them. This model is also fitted with 14-inch steel wheels, but one can also select any of the four aluminum alloy wheel designs, ranging from a 14-inch to 16-inch in diameter.