Mid-life re-squaring for Kia Picanto
On the market since 2011, Kia Motors South Africa has given its budget Picanto supermini a mid-life facelift with the addition of some cosmetic tweaks and technology upgrades.
Compared to its predecessor, the newcomer features a squarer front bumper with redesigned foglights that now incorporates daytime running lights, restyled central air intake now separate from the smaller “tiger nose” grille, a slightly altered rear bumper with a matte black strip at the bottom, and squarer rear foglights.
Interior changes are more minimal with the biggest being alternations around the audio system that now incorporates RDS.
Again consisting out of four models with two trim levels, the Picanto remains mechanically unchanged with the base LX still making use of a 1.0-litre three cylinder petrol engine that churns out 51 kW and 94 N.m of torque. Transmission options also continue unchanged with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic.
Sitting at the top-of-the-range, the EX comes fitted with a 1.2-litre four cylinder mill that makes 65 kW and 120 N.m of torque. Transmission options are the same as that on the LX.
Standard spec remains impressive with the LX featuring air-conditioning, body coloured bumpers and door handles, audio system with aux input and USB, auto lights, full trip computer, front electric windows, central locking, foglights, 14-inch steel wheels, and dual front airbags.
Building on the LX, the EX foregoes the steel wheels for 15-inch alloys and further adds chrome door handles, rear electric windows, electric/heated mirrors, leather covered steering wheel, handbrake and gearknob, side sills, steering wheel audio controls, Bluetooth and ABS.
A five year / 100 000 km warranty and two year / 45 000 km service plan are standard across the range.
2015 KIA PICANTO PRICING
| MODEL | POWER | PRICE |
| 1.0 LX | 51 kW / 94 N.m | R136 995 |
| 1.0 LX AT | 51 kW / 94 N.m | R148 995 |
| 1.2 EX | 65 kW / 120 N.m | R149 995 |
| 1.2 EX AT | 65 kW / 120 N.m | R161 995 |
IMAGE sourced from www.quickpic.co.za
Related Stories
The automated mooring system at the Port of Ngqura is poised to improve port efficiency and safety, cementing the deep water port’s position as a leading transshipment hub for the Sub-Saharan region. The system comprises 26 mooring units, the last of which arrived at the port in March 2015.
Newly elected Nelson Mandela Bay Executive Mayor, and South African Football Association (SAFA) President, Danny Jordaan, has denied allegations that he has been drafted in by the ruling African National Congress (ANC) to help retain the struggling municipality before next year’s municipal elections. In an interview with CityPress shortly after being sworn in as a councillor yesterday, Jordaan, who takes over from fired mayor Benson Fihla as the municipality’s fourth mayor in six years, said that he is just “an ordinary councillor ready to help the people”.“I have never been a puppet in my life and am not going to start being a puppet at this old age of mine. I have always done things that I believe in,” he told the paper. “I’m back home … there is clearly a need to come home and deal with issues. I am happy to be part of a team [that will] restore the city to its name. This city is called Nelson Mandela. What must guide our work is always the question: what would Nelson Mandela have said, and what would he have done? “
President Jacob Zuma on Friday officially launched the expansion of the 24-hour SABC News Channel 404 to other countries on the continent.
Eskom has announced that stage two load shedding will be implemented from 07h00-22h00 for Saturday as the state-owned parastatal continues with regular maintenance to infrastructure.
Mount Road police have arrested two men on a charge of theft after an armed robbery in Sydenham on Friday morning.
Port Elizabeth police have taken a 38-year old man into custody following a bomb threat at the Greenacers Shopping Centre on Friday afternoon. In a statement, police spokeswoman Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said that the man, who has been identified as an off-duty policeman, entered an ABSA bank branch shortly after 13h30, threatening to detonate a bomb if his demands, which are still unknown, are not met. Janse van Rensburg stated that members of the Port Elizabeth K9 and explosive units had the bank evacuated but that a search found no bombs or explosives. She also confirmed that the man was receiving assistance and counselling from the police’s Employee Health and Wellness section before the incident, but declined to provide further details. He is expected to appear in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court on Monday for making a false bomb threat.
The Cell C Sharks beat the Queensland Reds 21-14 in their last Super Rugby tour match in Brisbane on Friday morning.
Democratic Alliance (DA) Shadow Minister of Communications, Gavin Davis, has hit out at Communications Minister Faith Muthambi after it was discovered that the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) had been spending R3-million a year on its own choir.
Unemployed young people are being trained to become building inspectors by the Coega Development Corporation (CDC). The Building Inspector Training Programme (BITP) was launched in April this year with the aim of developing a solid and formidable pool of building inspectors who will create the desired outcomes on top structured buildings with the aim of improving their quality. “It’s been well documented that the housing quality in South Africa has found itself in an undesirable state. This has affected projects such as RDP houses, road infrastructure etc.,” said Prof Siyabonga Simayi, CDC Programme Director.
It has been reported that newly elected Nelson Mandela Bay Executive Mayor, Danny Jordaan, will officially take-up office next week after it was earlier reported that he would be inaugurated today.
