Kia is offering up an artist's take on its new subcompact hatchback, the Picanto. It plans to reveal the new model early next year.
Kia is looking to make a little noise above and beyond its new sports car, the Stinger, it plans to show off at the Detroit Auto Show — with the new Picanto.
The South Korean automaker released some artist renderings of the new A-segment city car it plans to reveal sometime early next year. No word if that reveal will come at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit or perhaps in Chicago, Geneva or even New York.
It could be after the Detroit auto show, which would allow the maker’s new Stinger to enjoy the spotlight alone.
Despite low gas prices, small city cars in the “hot hatch” segment are getting a lot of love these days. In fact, Ford recently released its new Fiesta, which comes in an ST model for those looking up to tear up the road.
Hatchbacks are hot and Kia plans to get in the game with the Picanto.
(Kia set to sting with GT-inspired sports car. To get a look, Click Here.)
While it’s unclear if the Picanto, which will replace the Rio, will be available with a powerplant that will make it a “hot hatch,” Kia claims it “combines a youthful and energetic new exterior and interior design with greater potential for customer personalization, inside and out.
“Retaining its characteristically compact dimensions, the new Picanto conveys a more assertive stance through bolder body lines and a vibrant color palette.”
(Kia’s already generated some buzz with the GT4 Stinger concept. Click Here for the story.)
In short, we don’t know about the “go,” but the renderings released by the maker reveal plenty of “show.”
However, the smaller cars are also coming laden with a variety of options that automakers used to believe that the first-time car buyers that are typical for this segment weren’t interested in.
Kia's new small car is big on technology and style.
However, Ford’s new Fiesta got a new equipment level for 2017 that includes a panoramic glass roof and a gaggle of safety technology.
(To see more about Kia putting a little zip into the new Soul, Click Here.)
It would appear the new Picanto will also feature a suite of high-tech comfort, convenience and safety features. Kia claims that “is underscored by a modern and refined new cabin design, with smarter packaging efficiency than ever before.”