Kia updates Picanto with new tech, here late July

KIA Motors Australia (KMAu) has announced a mid-life update for its all-conquering Picanto micro offering, with the entire line-up set to be treated to some ‘category-first’ tech upgrades and a subtle facelift for the higher tier GT-Line and GT variants.

Due to arrive in late July, the all Picantos will score a new 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment screen, 4.2-inch colour ‘supervision cluster’, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility and Bluetooth – all segment firsts.

The other major kit upgrade across the range are new headlights with the entry-level S set to score MFR halogen units while the GT-Line and GT step things up with projection halogens.

On the subject of the higher-tier variants, both the GT-Line and flagship GT have been treated to styling tweaks to better differentiate them from the regular models with a more aggressive looking front end, headlined by Kia’s signature ‘tiger-nose’ grille.

Below the grille is a redesigned air intake, complimented at the rear by a new wider looking bumper and dual exhaust tips which KMAu says provides a “more aggressive posture” with both packages riding on new 16-inch alloy wheels.

All variants besides the top-of-the-line GT will continue on with the familiar a 62kW/122Nm 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine under the bonnet, paired to either a five-speed manual transmission or four-speed automatic and driving the front wheels only.

The updated GT meanwhile will utilise a new turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder powerplant good for 74kW and 172Nm – the same outputs as the outgoing unit – paired exclusively with a five-speed manual transmission.

KMAu chief operating officer Damien Meredith described the Picanto line-up’s upgrades as “worth benefits” in one of Australia’s most affordable cars.

“These changes will benefit buyers of models across the range, bringing additional style, comfort and integrated technology to a car which already boasts safety and value as key considerations,” he said.

Local pricing and further spec details for the updated Picanto will be revealed closer to its launch in late July.

Kia’s micro offering has had things almost entirely its own way so far in 2020, occupying a dominant 78.3 per cent share of the micro segment with 1351 sales over the first five months of the year.