In what is possibly the worst kept secret, Kia Australia has finally announced the arrival of its small car the Kia Picanto.

KIA AUSTRALIA has finally announced its small car, the Kia Picanto will arrive early next year (2016). This will give the Korean car maker an edge over its Hyundai sibling which won’t have the latest-generation i20 on-sale here. Kia is hinting the introduction price will be around $14,990 (+ORC) and that it will enjoy Kia’s seven-year warranty, capped price servicing and roadside assist.

Expectation is that Picanto, according to Kia, will be launched as a single specification 5-door model with the 1.2-litre engine coupled to a four-speed automatic.

“Picanto has been confirmed for Australia,” Kia Motors Australia Chief Operating Officer Damien Meredith said. “It has taken a while to put all the ducks in a row but now it is full steam ahead for what we see as a very exciting new entrant to the market.”

Meredith said that with homologation well under way and specification and build negotiations completed the focus was now on getting Picanto to Australian consumers as early as possible.

“Realistically, it is likely that Picanto will be on sale in the first quarter of next year. It is not one of the larger segments of the Australian new car market but we definitely see an opportunity for a quality product like Picanto.”