SUV-Inspired Kia Picanto X-Line Launches At Frankfurt

7 years, 3 months ago - 7 September 2017, motor1

Honey, I shrunk the Kia Sportage.

Kia will reveal the most powerful Picanto ever at the Frankfurt Motor Show – the Picanto X-Line, which packs a turbocharged three-cylinder, 1.0-liter engine developing 98 horsepower. On sale later this year in Europe, the new engine helps the Picanto scrabble from 0-62 mph in just over 10 seconds, while still averaging 4.5 liters / 100 km (62.7 mpg UK or 52.2 mpg US) in the New European Driving Cycle.

But Kia hasn't decided to give it a warm hatch makeover to suit; instead, the Picanto X-Line is an SUV-inspired city car, a sort of Kia Sportage mini-me, with a ride height raised 15 millimeters (0.6 inches) and rugged-look bumpers boasting metal-style skidp lates. Kia's also added black wheel arch cladding and lime green details for the grille and fog lights: silver is also available if you don't like green.

Inside, the Kia Sportage SUV-inspired city car has a leather-clad flat-bottom steering wheel with green stitching, plus special white and green highlights for the door grabs. A 7-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard, as are a rear parking camera and aluminium pedals.

The new engine boasts low CO2 emissions of 104 g/km, and a strong torque figure of 127 pound-feet (172 Newton-meters) spread over a broad 1,500-4,000 rpm rev range. Previously offered in the cee'd and Rio, it's the first time the punchy three-cylinder turbo motor has been offered in a Kia this compact.

Michael Cole, COO for Kia Motors Europe, reckons the new Picanto X-Line will be a potent addition to the already-thriving range: "We launched the new Picanto in Europe earlier this year and it is already outselling its predecessor. Year-on-year, Picanto sales in the first half of 2017 grew 23% to 31,827 units, and globally it is one of our best-selling vehicles."

And what about those who like the sound of the sporty new engine but still wish it were in something a bit sportier-looking? Fear not, says Kia: the T-GDI engine is also being launched in the racy Picanto GT-Line...