The 2018 Kia Picanto X-Line has been revealed ahead of its global unveiling this month at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
THE KIA PICANTO X-LINE has been revealed and will go on-sale across Europe later this year. There’s no word yet on whether it’ll come to Australia.
Here at Practical Motoring we’re fans of the Picanto and this “crossover-inspired” X-Line variant looks good to our eyes. Kia said, “The rugged design is highlighted by contrast colour packs and raised ground clearance (to 156mm, 15mm higher than the standard Picanto), which also gives the driver a clearer view of the road ahead. The new derivative benefits from Kia’s 1.0-litre T-GDI (turbocharged gasoline direct injection) engine, making it the most powerful Picanto ever”.
The X-Line variant’s engine makes 73kW at 4500rpm and 172Nm of torque from 1500rpm. Locally, the Picanto is powered by a 62kW 1.25-litre four-cylinder petrol. The 1.0-litre engine was previously only available in the cee’d and new Rio. Boot capacity is 255 litres (VDA) with 60:40 split-folding rear seats, which can fold flat to increase capacity to 1010 litres.
The Picanto X-Line is fitted with many of the features available across the rest of the Picanto range, including 16-inch aluminium alloy wheels, aluminium pedals, LED daytime running lights and fog lamps, shark-fin antenna, and keyless entry. The large 7.0-inch ‘floating’ touchscreen HMI (human-machine interface) houses navigation with 3D maps, and Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ for full smartphone integration. A rear-view parking camera and wireless smartphone charger and USB port are also available on X-Line models. Like the Picanto GT Line, the Picanto X-Line is fitted as standard with a sporty D-cut steering wheel.
Kia claims its new Picanto is the safest its ever built, boasting Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS) body construction and six standard airbags (front, front side and curtain airbags), and an optional knee airbag. Active safety features are also included, such as standard-fit Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) with Electronic Stability Control (ESC), to ensure stability under braking and cornering. In addition, the new Picanto is available with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB).
