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Kia´s eagerly awaited New Picanto Diesel model was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show today (Tuesday). The latest addition to Kia´s immensely popular small car range, New Picanto Diesel is powered by a sophisticated 75 ps engine with a variable-geometry turbocharger and promises to boost sales of the corporation´s A-Segment model even further when it goes on sale later this year. Since its launch in Europe during Spring 2004 the all-new Kia Picanto has taken the automotive market by storm, attracting thousands of new customers to the Kia brand, and notching up ´run-away´ sales totalling more than 110,000 units (to end of August 2005). The Picanto Diesel is powered by a unique three-cylinder engine and retains all the major attributes of its petrol stable mates. Apart from a discreet tailgate ´CRDi´ badge, it looks just like other Picantos with a choice of LX and EX equipment levels, plus the full range of Picanto options. However, it will be available in left-hand-drive only, "Picanto Diesel is a fantastic car with a unique Kia engine. It will shake up the A-Segment market and boost the enormous sales potential our class-leading small car even further," comments Jean-Charles Lievens, Senior Vice President of Kia Motors Europe. An innovative all-new three-cylinder engine, the 1.1-litre CRDi common rail diesel is an advanced design created in Korea, with input from Kia´s ´Centre of Diesel Engineering Excellence´ at its R&D facility in Germany. The DOHC 12-valve engine features high-pressure fuel injection to offer an excellent blend of sporty performance, outstanding fuel economy, and clean exhaust emissions which are Euro4 compliant. Manufactured at Kia´s Wha-sung plant, the 1,120 cc diesel engine generates 75 ps (55.0 kW) of power at 4,000 rpm and 153 Nm (15.6 kgm) of torque from 1,900 to 2,750 rpm, making the Picanto one of the most powerful cars in its class. This engine is mated to a five-speed manual transmission equipped with a unique set of gear ratios to suit the characteristics of the diesel engine. Diesel Picanto will accelerate from 0-to-100 kph in 16.0 seconds and will reach a maximum speed of 162 kph. Fuel consumption on the combined cycle is just 4.2 l/100 km, so a range of 800 kilometres between fuel stops is possible. This Picanto is also one of the world´s cleanest, most efficient cars, with a CO2 rating of just 112 g/km. Like other Picanto cars, the Diesel has fully independent suspension designed to deliver both agile handling and a supple, comfortable ride on European roads. For Diesel Picanto, the steering features electric (rather than hydraulic) power assistance, slightly lower geared and requiring 3.02 turns of the steering wheel lock-to-lock. Other changes include stronger front lower suspension arms, a thicker 23 mm (up by 4 mm) front anti-roll bar together with 14 inch diameter (rather than 13 inch), 5.0J wide steel wheels, with 175/60 R14 radial tyres as the standard wheel and tyre package. Similarly sized alloy wheels are available as an option. Within these larger diameter wheels, bigger 252 mm diameter (up by 11 mm) ventilated front disc brakes are fitted to slow the slightly heavier car from 100-to-0 kph in 42.8 metres. All Picanto cars in Europe feature an all-disc braking system with ABS anti-lock as standard. In Europe all Picantos come with a Tyre Mobility Kit, obviating the need for a spare wheel and saving around 9 kg in weight. A small compressor and liquid sealant is provided for roadside tyre repairs. Using the ´temporarily repaired´ tyre, the car can be driven for 200 km at speeds up to 80 kph.
Picanto Diesel, which shares all the attributes of its stable mates - except for its powertrain, features additional sound-proofing under the bonnet, around the engine bay and across the
front bulkhead, plus reinforced engine mountings and a PTC heater. Kia Motors Corporation (www.kiamotors.com) – one of the fastest growing automakers in the world -- was founded in 1944 and is Korea’s oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles. As part of the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group, Kia aims to become one of the world’s premier automotive brands. Kia’s 16 manufacturing and assembly operations in 12 countries produce more than 1.1 million vehicles a year that are sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering 155 countries. Kia today has over 32,000 employees and annual revenues of $14 billion. It is the major sponsor of the Australian Tennis Open and an official worldwide sponsor of the Davis Cup. Kia Motors Corporation’s brand slogan -- "The Power to Surprise" -- represents the company’s global commitment to surpassing customer expectations through continuous automotive innovation. |
