KIA UPDATES ITS 'LITTLE TITANS', THE PICANTO AND RIO

◾New three-grade Picanto 5-door line-up

◾Additional equipment added to the Picanto line-up

◾New Picanto 5-door pricing starts from £8,545

◾Four trim grades in restructured 5-door Rio range

◾Equipment upgrades for many 5-door Rio models

◾New Rio 5-door priced from £10,945

Kia has refreshed and upgraded its 'little titans', the Picanto and Rio, with simplified model structures, extra equipment and new trim grades on its 5-door models to make them even more appealing in an increasingly competitive UK small-car market.

There are now three trim grades in the 5-door Picanto line-up – '1 Air', 'SE' and 'Sport'. 'SE' replaces the former 'SR7' and '2' grades, with 'Sport' taking the place of the '3' and '4' grade. The entry-level '1' model has been discontinued, but the range pricing continues to start from £8,545.

The new Rio 5-door line-up consists of '1 Air', 'SE', '3' and '4' grades. 'SE' takes the place of the previous 'SR7' and '2' grades and the former entry-level grade '1' has been discontinued. Rio 5-door pricing starts from £10,945 for the '1 Air' – the same price as the old level '1' model.

More equipment for all 5-door Picantos

With the new Picanto '1 Air' offered at the same £8,545 price as the old '1' model, it means that this new entry-level version gains air conditioning as a free upgrade. This model also now benefits from Bluetooth, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and front seat belt height adjustment as no-cost additions.

The new mid-range 'SE' grade has all the equipment that was standard on the previous 'SR7', plus automatic air conditioning and Kia's Intelligent Stop & Go (ISG) engine stop/start system with the manual gearbox. This grade is offered with a 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine and a manual gearbox from £10,395, or a 1.25-litre four-cylinder unit with automatic transmission from £11,395.

The new Picanto 'Sport' sharp looks are enhanced by stylish new front and rear bumpers and a twin-tipped exhaust tailpipe. There are also additional side sill mouldings painted to match the body colour. The 'Sport' models are finished in exclusive red, black or white paintwork. Sporty-looking five-barrel 15-inch alloy wheels shod with 175/50 tyres are the final finishing touch.

This is complemented by the equally sporty interior. The seats are in grey/black faux leather with striking red cloth cushions and backrests to match the inserts on the doors. There are aluminium pedals with non-slip rubber pads, while the centre fascia, steering wheel bezel and gearshifter top are finished in classy gloss black.

Standard equipment includes satellite navigation, automatic air conditioning, cruise control and a speed limiter. 'Sport' models are powered by the 1.25-litre engine and are available with a manual gearbox and ISG from £11,995 or with automatic transmission from £12,595.

New models and equipment upgrades for the Rio

As with the Picanto, the new five-door Rio '1 Air' now includes air conditioning yet is offered at the same price as the former grade '1' model from £10,945.

The new 'SE' is available with a 1.25-litre petrol engine or a 1.1-litre diesel, priced from £12,995 and £14,295 respectively. The 'SE' features all the equipment which was standard on the former 'SR7' plus a significant package of extra items – automatic air conditioning, front foglights, a supervision instrument cluster, a rain sensor, cruise control and speed limiter, electrically folding, adjustable and heated door mirrors with integrated indicators.

Grades '3' and '4' are unchanged and retain their high level of specification.

Photo credit: Kia
posted on conceptcarz.com