Hyundai’s sister team, Kia, has taken the wraps off the new Picanto hatchback. This is the third generation for South Korean automaker’s A-segment model and is expected to be one of the main players with regard to Kia’s plans for India.
This third generation Picanto sports Kia’s latest two-part grille, sharp head lamps and slightly high mounted fog lamps. The side profile resembles the i10/Grand i10 while the rear gets wrap around tail lamps with LED inserts for the indicators. The interior is quite premium as you get climate control, height adjustable seats, steering mounted audio controls, two-tone colour scheme and a free standing display for the infotainment system.
The European markets will get this third generation Picanto with the option of two petrol engines- a 1.2-litre unit and a 1.0-litre unit. In addition the Picanto, later this year, will also get the option of a 100bhp turbocharged petrol unit towards the end of the year.
It seems highly likely that Kia will come to India by the end of the decade and this car will be one of the main models to lead the charge. However, don’t expect many of the features you see in the EU spec car to come to India. Here the Picanto is expected to arrive in a price range that will slot it in between the Grand i10 and Elite i20.
