Kia Picanto

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kia Picanto
Overview
Manufacturer Kia Motors
Production 2004–present
Body and chassis
Class City car
Layout Front-engine, front-wheel-drive
Chronology
Predecessor Kia Visto
The Kia Picanto is a city car produced by the South Korean manufacturer Kia Motors since 2004. It is also known as the Kia Morning in South Korea, Hong Kong and Chile, Kia EuroStar in Taiwan, Kia New Morning in Vietnam[1] and the Naza Suria or Naza Picanto in Malaysia.[2] The Picanto is manufactured exclusively at a joint-venture plant with Donghee in Seosan, South Korea.[3]

First generation (2004–2011)

First generation (SA)
Overview
Also called Kia Morning
Kia New Morning
Kia Picanto Morning
Kia EuroStar (Taiwan)
Naza Suria (Malaysia)
Naza Picanto (Malaysia)
Production 2004–2011
Assembly Seosan, South Korea (Donghee)[4][5]
Body and chassis
Body style 5-door hatchback
Related Hyundai Atos[6]
Hyundai Getz[6]
Powertrain
Engine 1.0 L Epsilon I4 (petrol)
1.0 L Epsilon I4 (petrol/LPG)
1.1 L Epsilon I4 (petrol)
1.2 L Kappa I4 (petrol)
1.1 L U-Line I3 (diesel)
Transmission 5-speed manual
4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,370 mm (93.3 in)
Length 3,535 mm (139.2 in)
Width 1,595 mm (62.8 in)
Height 1,480 mm (58.3 in)
Curb weight 836–945 kg (1,843–2,083 lb)

The first generation Picanto was revealed at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show.[7] It is based on a shortened platform of the Hyundai Getz and is 3,495 mm (137.6 in) long, with a five-door hatchback body style.[8] It was available with a choice of either two petrol engines: a 1.0-litre, with 61 hp (45 kW) and 86 N·m (63 lb·ft), or a 1.1-litre, with 65 hp (48 kW) and 97 N·m (72 lb·ft), both with multipoint injection.[9] In Europe, a 1.1-litre three-cylinder diesel engine (based on the Kia Cerato's 1.5-litre four-cylinder unit) was also available, with direct injection and a variable geometry turbocharger, the power reaching 75 hp (56 kW) and a torque of 153 N·m (113 lb·ft). The petrol engines had a combined consumption of 5.1 l/100 km (55 mpg-imp) and 5.2 l/100 km (54 mpg-imp) respectively, while the diesel used 4.4 l/100 km (64 mpg-imp). An automatic gearbox (with torque converter)[10] was optional for the petrol units. In some countries, it was sold with a 1.2-litre engine, also used on the newer Hyundai i10.

To increase its appeal in the European market, the Picanto is equipped with such features as CD player (that enables MP1, 2 and 3 audio playback), air conditioning, front and patented rear electric windows, remote central locking, and electric mirrors. These features were advertised in a short-lived ad campaign starring Marcus Grönholm.

Safety

Euro NCAP test results for a LHD, 5-door hatchback variant on a 2004 registration:[11]

Test Score Points
Overall: N/A N/A
Adult occupant: 17
Child occupant: 37
Pedestrian: 6
Safety assist: N/A N/A

Facelift

2007

The Picanto model in Europe was altered slightly in late 2007. Among the minor changes were the light clusters (front and rear), and for the UK market, the indicator stalk was switched to the other side. For the Italian market, a new bi-fuel LPG version debuted, with 1.0 L and 1.1 L engines.

2010

For the 2010 model year, the Picanto received some minor interior and exterior changes, including a new front fascia that incorporates the "tiger nose" grille.[12]

Gallery

2007 Kia Picanto 
2010 Kia Morning 

Second generation (2011–present)

Second generation (TA)
Overview
Also called Kia Morning
Production 2011–present
Model years 2012–present
Assembly Seosan, South Korea (Donghee)[13][14]
Designer Peter Schreyer
Park Kee-hong[15]
Body and chassis
Body style 5-door hatchback
3-door hatchback[nb 1]
Related Hyundai i10
Powertrain
Engine 1.0 L Kappa II I3 (petrol)[16]
1.0 L Kappa II I3 (petrol/LPG)[17]
1.25 L Kappa II I4 (petrol)
Transmission 5-speed manual
4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,385 mm (93.9 in)
Length 3,595 mm (141.5 in)
Width 1,595 mm (62.8 in)
Height 1,490 mm (58.7 in)
Curb weight 840–900 kg (1,852–1,984 lb)

The second generation Picanto made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in 2011.[18] Designed by Kia's European design team based in Frankfurt, Germany, under the direction of Peter Schreyer, the new model is longer in wheelbase and overall length than its predecessor. The Picanto is offered with a choice of two gasoline engines: a 1.0 liter three-cylinder[16] or a 1.25 liter four-cylinder. The Europe-spec 1.25 liter engine features ecoDynamics, Kia's start-stop system.[19] In addition, there is also a petrol/LPG version of the 1.0 liter engine available.[17] The manual & automatic transmissions remain unchanged like the original.

The Picanto is available worldwide (except North America, Venezuela, China, Singapore, and Australia) as a 5-door hatchback while the European market receives the exclusive 3-door variant.[20] The 3-door version is the same length as the 5-door model, but it sports new windows and doors, different bumpers and a front grille with silver or red trim.[21] In South Korea, the Morning is offered in a Sport Pack, which consists of the 3-door's front and rear bumpers, as well as a digital speedometer.[22]

In some countries, the Picanto name is accompanied by a modifier for marketing reasons. Examples include Picanto Ion for Colombia,[23] Picanto R for Ecuador,[24] Picanto K1 for Thailand,[25] and Picanto 1250 for New Zealand.[26]

Marketing

As part of the marketing campaign for the Picanto, Kia produced a promotional video featuring the world's first nail art animation. Over 900 artificial nails and 1,200 bottles of nail polish were used in a span of 25 days (with each nail taking two hours to paint) to create images of the Picanto in motion.[27]

In the UK, the Picanto is the official sponsor of the ITV dating game show Take Me Out. Kia UK released a series of viral videos on their YouTube channel to promote both the car and the programme. Each video features actress Natasha Barrero, as she drives a black Picanto 3-door before being swooned over by different men.[28]

Reception

The Picanto was met with positive reviews in the UK. Top Gear magazine gave it a score of seven out of 10, describing it as "a well-made, well-equipped, practical and affordable little thing that’s cheap to run and ought to put the wind up more expensive European cars."[29] What Car? magazine gave it three out of five stars, commenting that it has "a classy cabin and a fine driving position. Most versions are decently equipped and there’s a market-leading seven-year warranty."[30] Auto Express rated it 3.8 out of five stars, calling it "one of the best looking cars in its class, with chunky styling and the firm’s distinctive ‘tiger-nose’ grille – it makes the Hyundai i10 look dull and the Fiat 500 a bit old-fashioned."[31] The magazine also ranked the Picanto sixth among the 10 best city cars.[32] Ben Barry of Car Magazine gave it four out of five stars, calling it "a very accomplished car, one that looks good and is fun to drive whether you’re in town or out on the open road."[33]

Awards

The Picanto won the iF Product Design award in the "Transportation Design" category in 2011[34] and the Red Dot award in the "Automobiles, transportation, commercial and water vehicles" category in 2012.[35][36] Top Gear magazine named the Picanto "Bargain Car of the Year" in 2011.[37] The Association of Scottish Motoring Writers awarded the Picanto as "Best Small Car" in 2011.[38] In South Africa, the Picanto took the Standard Bank People's Wheels Award for "Budget Buys - Affordability First" three years straight from 2011 to 2013.[39][40]

Safety

Euro NCAP test results for a LHD, 5-door hatchback variant on a 2011 registration:[41]

Test Score Points
Overall: 91
Adult occupant: 86% 31
Child occupant: 83% 40
Pedestrian: 47% 17
Safety assist: 43% 3

Facelift

2014

For the 2014 model year, the Morning in South Korea will use the European three-door's front and rear bumpers with the headlights incorporating a new LED daytime running light system. The interior will feature a revised instrument cluster that uses a digital speedometer. The silver trim will be replaced with a gloss black trim. A touchscreen multimedia stereo system will be offered. The new model will be equipped with seven airbags, a Cornering Brake Control system, a handbrake alarm, and height adjustable seat belts. Aside from the standard 1.0 liter gasoline engine, the Picanto will be offered with a new "Eco-Plus" engine mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT).[42]

Gallery

2011 Kia Picanto 3 door 
2011 Kia Picanto 5 door 1.2 
2011 Kia Picanto 5 door (rear view) 
2012 Kia Picanto 1.25 liter Kappa II engine 

Reliability

In January 2013, the Picanto was named most reliable car in the UK, according to data published by Moneysupermarket.com in conjunction with Warranty Direct. Out of an average Reliability Index (RI) score of 100 (the lower the score, the less problems reported by owners), the Picanto achieved a score of 3.00/100.[43]

Motorsport

The Picanto is an official race car in Poland's Kia Lotos Cup, a racing organization created by Kia Motors Polska.[44][45]

Notes

  1. Europe only.

References

  1. "Truonghai Auto – Kia New Morning". Truonghaiauto.com.vn. Retrieved 2012-01-17. 
  2. Tan, Paul (2006-11-03). "Naza Suria". PaulTan.org. Retrieved 2012-01-17. 
  3. "Facilities & Buildings". Kia Media Site. Retrieved 25 July 2013. 
  4. "Car Assembly". Donghee. Retrieved 2013-06-05. 
  5. "Kia sales to keep booming with all-new Picanto small car". Kia Motors Europe. February 2004. 
  6. "Kia Motors debuts sporty Picanto in Frankfurt". Kia Motors. 9 September 2003. 
  7. "Kia Picanto". Auto Express. 2 March 2004. 
  8. "Kia Picanto specifications". Auto Types. Retrieved 9 September 2013. 
  9. "Kia's Little Baby - Driving impressions of the Kia Picanto 1.1". Cars, gadgets and widgets. 18 October 2004. Retrieved 9 September 2013. 
  10. "Kia Picanto (2004)". Euro NCAP. Retrieved 2012-01-17. 
  11. Car shipping. "2010 Kia Picanto Unveiled in Korea". Kia World. Retrieved 2012-01-17. 
  12. "Kia Picanto (2012)". NetCarShow.com. Retrieved 2013-06-05. 
  13. "Kia Picanto City Review (2013)". Carpages.co.uk. 2013-02-02. Retrieved 2013-06-05. 
  14. "All-new Picanto Design Story". Kia Motors. 2011-03-03. Retrieved 2013-08-01. 
  15. 16.0 16.1 "2012 Kia Picanto Brochure". Kia Motors Philippines. Retrieved 2012-07-28. 
  16. 17.0 17.1 "Road Test: Kia Picanto". Autozine. Retrieved 2012-08-28. 
  17. "Geneva 2011: 2012 Kia Picanto Brings A-Game to the A-Segment". AutoBlog. 2011-03-03. Retrieved 2012-07-24. 
  18. "Kia Picanto 1.25 ecoDynamics". ScotCars. 2011-05-20. Retrieved 2012-08-24. 
  19. Vijayenthiran, Viknesh (2011-01-03). "2011 Geneva Motor Show Preview: 2012 Kia Picanto". Motor Authority. Retrieved 2012-07-24. 
  20. "Kia Reveals New 3-Door Picanto". Top Gear Philippines. 2011-08-15. Retrieved 2012-08-24. 
  21. Lopez, Jose Antonio (2011-06-16). "Picanto’s five door Sport Pack scooped in South Korea". The Korean Car Blog. Retrieved 2013-08-01. 
  22. "Picanto Ion". Kia Motors Colombia. Retrieved 2013-08-14. 
  23. "Picanto R". Kia Motors Ecuador. Retrieved 2013-08-14. 
  24. "Picanto K1". Kia Motors Thailand. Retrieved 2013-08-14. 
  25. "Picanto 1250". Kia Motors New Zealand. Retrieved 2013-08-14. 
  26. "Picanto Nail Art Animation". Kia Motors. Retrieved 2012-08-13. 
  27. McCabe, Maisie (2011-12-09). "Kia Picanto to Sponsor Take Me Out". MediaWeek. Retrieved 2012-10-18. 
  28. "Kia Picanto expert car review verdict". Top Gear. August 2011. Retrieved 2013-10-22. 
  29. "Kia Picanto Hatchback Review". What Car?. Retrieved 2013-10-22. 
  30. "Kia Picanto". Auto Express. Retrieved 2013-10-22. 
  31. "6. Kia Picanto". Auto Express. 2013-07-18. Retrieved 2013-10-22. 
  32. Barry, Ben (2011-04-08). "Kia Picanto 1.25 5dr (2011) CAR Review". Car Magazine. Retrieved 2013-10-22. 
  33. O'Brien, John (2011-11-14). "Kia Picanto Wins Design Award". Car Design News. Retrieved 2012-10-10. 
  34. "red dot online: Automobiles, transportation, commercial and water vehicles". Red Dot. Retrieved 2012-10-10. 
  35. "Kia Bags Red Dot Design Awards for Picanto and Rio". Top Gear Philippines. 2012-03-15. Retrieved 2012-10-10. 
  36. Read, Dan (2011-12-22). "TG Awards 2011: Bargain Car of the Year". Top Gear/BBC. Retrieved 2012-12-24. 
  37. "Picanto completes the hat-trick with Scottish Car of the Year Award". Easier. 2011-10-17. Retrieved 2013-06-05. 
  38. "Standard Bank People’s Wheels Awards winner announced". Standard Bank. 2013-11-27. Retrieved 2013-12-22. 
  39. "KIA WINS BIG AT THE ANNUAL STANDARD BANK PEOPLE’S WHEELS AWARDS". Kia Motors. 2013-11-26. Retrieved 2013-12-22. 
  40. "Kia Picanto". Euro NCAP. Retrieved 2012-01-17. 
  41. Nithyanandh K (2013-08-20). "Korea – 2014 Kia Morning (Picanto) gets cosmetic, safety and equipment upgrades". Indian Autos Blog. Retrieved 2013-08-21. 
  42. Meadowcroft, John (2013-01-21). "Kia Picanto Named Most Reliable Car on the Road". MotorTorque. Retrieved 2013-01-28. 
  43. "Kia Lotos Race". Kia Motors Polska. Retrieved 2013-08-01. 
  44. "2011 KIA LOTOS RACE: the Year’s Speediest Event". Kia Motors. 2013-05-27. Retrieved 2013-08-01. 

External links

  • Official websites:
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