CAR GARAGE | Kia Picanto (2012) | With looks That Convey a sense of solidity and maturity, new efficient engines and reduced CO2 emissions from 90 g / km, high levels of specification and safety features, the Kia Picanto will be Offered for the first time with a choice of 5-door and 3-door body styles. "Our new Kia Picanto is now a small car, grown-up," comments Soon-Nam Lee, Director of Overseas Marketing, Kia Motors Corporation. UK consumers will benefit from the next generation Kia Picanto's greatly reduced CO2 emissions, improved fuel economy and reduced ownership costs when the models goes on sale in 2011.
For Greater side-impact protection, the B-pillar and side sills are reinforced with high-tensile steel plates, the anti-intrusion door-beams are extended to overlap the B-pillar and polyurethane pads are fitted within the front door trims. New Kia Picanto's suspension and running gear has been developed from the previous models to retain That car's responsive handling while improving ride quality and refinement. The Mac Pherson strut front suspension features an Increased castor angle of 4.1 degrees, for enhanced straight-line driving stability, 12% softer springs and longer wheel travel with 20mm shorter bump-stops.
At the rear, the Coupled Torsion Beam Axle is 60% stiffer to Reduced-under-steer, with 29% softer springs, 15 mm shorter bump-stops and larger trailing-arm bushes for improved stability and a more compliant ride. The Kia Picanto's all-disc braking system, the which is standard on all models fitted with Electronic Stability Control, is backed up with standard anti-lock ABS, electronic brake force distribution and emergency 'brake assist' systems.
In Europe, every new Kia Picanto will come with a highly efficient Kappa engine that helps lower the model's CO2 this base-line to just 95 g / km and improves fuel consumption to as much as 67.3 mpg. Two three-cylinder, 998 cc units will present customers with a choice of petrol or Bi-fuel technologies (LPG + petrol) - Bi-fuel is available in selected countries but not the UK. The petrol engine Produces 69 ps and 95 Nm of torque. The Bi-fuel unit delivers 82 ps and 94 Nm of torque. Made in Korea, the Kappa family of engines share many common characteristics, Including dual CVVT (continuously variable valve timing), a cast aluminum block, off-set crankshaft, maintenance-free long-life timing chain and low-friction 'Beehive' valve springs. The standard transmission for all engines in the new Kia Picanto will be a 5-speed manual, while a 4-speed automatic gearbox will be available as an option on the 1.25 liter 85 ps engine.
