Kia Motors, a leading automobile company, has launched a new version of its A-segment city hatchback, the Picanto.

The vehicle now features a range of dynamic and visual improvements to maintain its competitiveness and its position as the best-looking car in its class, said a statement from the company.

The enhanced Kia Picanto possesses redesigned front and rear bumpers, and with a new wider grille and flared bumpers matching updates to Kia’s hallmark ‘tiger-nose’ grille. Depending on market, the integrated front fog lamps now feature a new clear lens for greater visibility, it added.

At the rear of the car, the upgraded Picanto gets a new black diffuser-effect panel integrated into the rear bumper, for a sportier look. Customers can also choose an optional new 14-inch alloy wheel design and a bright new metallic paint finish called Dazzling Blue.

The Picanto’s interiors are now fitted with new chrome accents surrounding the driver’s instrument binnacle, dashboard air vents and base of the gear stick, with a new glossy piano black trim applied to the transmission panel and gear stick itself.

The upgraded Kia has also improved its occupant safety and driving dynamics, with introduction of larger brakes in order to reduce the car’s stopping distance. The new larger 252 mm front brakes (increased from 241 mm) are available as an option, allowing the car to stop from 100 km/h in just 37 metres – an improvement of two metres.

Additionally, the vehicle also benefits from smoother shifts in first and second gear, due to new carbon-coatings to components of the manual transmission and a new urethane stopper at the end of the shift throw.

The Picanto is manufactured at Kia’s Seosan manufacturing facility in Korea, and is among the brand’s best-selling models around the globe, with more than 150,000 units sold in 2014. The enhanced Kia Picanto is now on-sale globally, it added. – TradeArabia News Service