Kia Picanto GT-Line rolls in
BY TIM NICHOLSON | 17th Apr 2018
GoAuto reported in September that the Picanto GT-Line was all but locked in for a local launch, and now the South Korean car-maker has added it to the micro-car line-up that launched in May last year.
“The Picanto GT-Line is just one more endorsement of our belief that there is a desire from the market for a practical, stylish and affordable car at that end of the market,” Kia Motors Australia chief operating officer Damien Meredith said.
“From the outset we were confident that there was opportunity in that micro segment, but it had to be the right car promoted in the right way. Picanto has proven that belief and the GT-Line is just one more way for us to support our original confidence.”The price represents a $1800 increase over the automatic Picanto S and is in line with Kia’s prediction last year that it would come in with a pricetag “well below $20,000”.
The GT-Line gains a number of features over the standard Picanto S, including 16-inch alloy wheels (up from 14s in the S), LED position lights and daytime running lights, GT-Line badging and a GT-Line trim package that includes contrasting body accents, dual exhaust tips and a bodykit.
Inside, the GT-Line gains alloy sports pedals, premium seats with red accents and a six-speaker sound system.
GT-Line variants are offered in white, or three premium colours including silver, black and red that add $520 to the pricetag.
Under the bonnet is Kia’s 62kW/122Nm 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol unit, matched exclusively with a four-speed automatic transmission.
While Kia has not confirmed fuel economy for the GT-Line, it is anticipated that it will match the Picanto S auto’s figures of 5.8 litres per 100km and CO2 emissions of 134 grams per km.
Since the current generation Picanto launched in May last year, it has dominated the tiny micro-car segment, with Kia shifting 3323 units last year to easily outpace the Mitsubishi Mirage (1563) and Holden Spark (1227).
To the end of March this year, sales are up by 43.5 per cent to 1184 units, tripling the sales of its closest competitor, the Spark (313).
