Automobile Blog

Kia Picanto

Kia Motors Corporation, is among the world’s fastest growing car companies. Kia Picanto is very capable on open roads. The skinny tyres provide decent grip, and although body control could be kept in better check, it feels competent when pushed hard.

Kia has listened to customers, and in response to their demands, the indicator stalks are now on the left hand side of the steering wheel. Elsewhere, the cee’d influence continues across the Kia range.

The Picanto is available as a four or five seater with a choice of two petrol engines. The initial three model line-up includes the 1.0 litre GS 5-Seater, 1.1 litre LX 5-Seater and 1.1 litre SE 4-Seater. A 1.1 litre diesel engine will be introduced in 2005. Prices range from £5,495 for the 1.0 GS to £7,295 for the 1.1 SE. On the road the Picanto performs reasonably well - light controls making it easy to drive and with handling up to the challenge of ziping around town.

Beyond city limits performance is very limited, especially with the less powerful 1.0 litre engine - although the 1.1 litre option is markedly better at cruising. It has some quirks in that power steering is not offered. Instead the steering is geared very low for easy parking and this makes it feel a little vague at higher speeds. Tight on boot space, the Picanto also dispenses with a spare wheel, instead having a tyre inflation kit.

The styling for the Picanto also reflects future trends in the A-segment market, where the percentage of five-door/five-seat cars is expected to increase over the next few years. At the same time, a shift toward five-door models in general will see this section of the market increase considerably.

Technical Specification of Kia Picanto

Engine Data	1.0 GS	1.1 LS
Engine type	4 cylinder SOHC (12 valves)	4 cylinder SOHC (12 valves)
Capacity (cc)	999	1,086
Max power	60bhp @ 5600rpm	64bhp @ 5500rpm
Max torque (Nm)	86.3Nm @ 2900rpm	97Nm @ 2800rpm
Bore / Stroke (mm)	66/73	67/77
Fuel system	Multipoint fuel injection system	Multipoint fuel injection system
Ignition system	DLI	DLI
Emission control system	Controlled by ECU	Controlled by ECU

Transmission
Manual	5 speed
Automatic 1.1 LS only	4 speed

Bodystyle and seats
Number of seats	5
number of doors	5

Dimensions
Overall length (mm)	3,495
Overall width (mm)	1,595
Overall height (mm)	1,480
Wheelbase (mm)	2,370
Headroom front / rear (mm)	1,003
Leg room max front (mm)	966
Luggage capacity - rear seats up (litres)	157
Luggage capacity - rear seats folded flat (litres)	882
Minimum ground clearance	145

Specifications
Gross vehicle weight (kg) - (manual & auto)	1,350
Max kerb weight manual (auto) (Kg)	1,012 (1,030)
Min kerb weight manual (auto) (Kg)	936 (954)
Maximum towing weights:
Trailer with brakes (auto) (kg)	700 (400)
Trailer without brakes (auto) (kg)	400 (0)
Maximum ball weight (auto) (kg)	28 (25)
Maximum roof load	60
Fuel tank capacity	35 litres

Suspension/steering/braking
Front suspension	MacPherson Strut with Stabiliser and Coil Springs
Rear suspension	Couple Torsion Beam Axle with Coil Springs
Steering system	Integral Rack & Pinion with Power Assistance
Steering - turns lock to lock	2.8
Braking system	Discs front and rear with ABS

Fuel consumption	man 1.0	man 1.1	auto 1.1
(Official Government Test Figures) mpg (1/100km)
Urban (cold)	45.6 (6.2)	43.5 (6.5)	38.2 (7.4)
Extra-urban	62.8 (4.5)	64.2 (4.4)	58.9 (4.8)
Combined	55.4 (5.1)	54.3 (5.2)	48.7 (5.8)

Emissions	man 1.0	man 1.1	auto 1.1
CO2 (g/km)	123	124	138
Noise Moving (db(A)E)	73	73	72

Performance	man 1.0	man 1.1	auto 1.1
Maximum speed - kph/mph	150 / 93	154 / 96	144 / 90
Acceleration 0 - 62mph (seconds)	16.4	15.1	17.9

Service Intervals
Miles (months)	10,000 / 1year