Following the release of two teaser sketches in December, Kia today published real-life photos of its second generation Picanto city car, which is set to debut at this year’s Geneva Motor Show in March. The 2011 Picanto will be offered in two body styles and with four all-new engines.
Kia’s Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer, said, “In profile, the new Picanto features significant sculpting and a very prominent rising character line. The result is a layering of light and shadow and this breaks up the height, giving the car a more sure-footed stance”.
Details are scarce right now, but the automaker claims the car has grown in length and has a longer wheelbase, which should improve interior space. Unlike the outgoing model which is available exclusively as a five-door hatchback, the new Picanto will be offered in both 5-door and 3-door body styles (at least in Europe).
The engine range will comprise of 1.0 and 1.2-liter gasoline engines, while Kia will also offer LPG, bi-fuel and flex-fuel variations, depending on local market requirements.
Kia has not given the exact timing of the car’s arrival in European markets, but buyers should expect to see the new Picanto in showrooms in the second-half of the year.
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