After quietly showing the three-door version of its Picanto at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, Kia has now let the cat out of the bag with more pictures and additional information.
Set to go on sale in Europe from next month, this is the first time that Kia has offered a three-door Picanto and, naturally, it's aimed at increasing the Picanto's appeal among those seeking a sportier alternative in the poverty market. Our contact at Kia South Africa says there are no immediate plans to bring this version of the Picanto to South Africa.
Not just a hatch with two doors cut out, Kia has given the three-door Picanto some unique design touches. The grille, for instance, is larger than that on the five-door and it's available with silver or red trim surrounds, while the front bumper has been redesigned to make it appear wider and lower. The rear bumper, meanwhile, gets a square black central section to lend a sportier look. Even the alloy wheels on the top two models are of a unique design.
Despite having its own unique stylistic character, the three-door has the same dimensions as its five-door siblings, allowing it to offer the same level of interior space. As for practicality, sliding and tilting front seats are in place to provide a wide 'walk-in' to the rear bench seat.
The engine range remains unchanged for now, the three-door offering the same 51kW 1-litre and 65kW 1.2-litre petrol engines as the five-door. Perhaps one day they'll see some sense in shoehorning a 1.4 beneath the bonnet to create an affordable pocket rocket.