2017 Kia Picanto to stick with one model for Australia

Kia will stick with a simple formula for its second-generation Picanto city car.

The South Korean car maker has confirmed it will follow the same single model-range strategy that was adopted by the current car when the new hatchback arrives in local showrooms in April.

However, there is one exception to the rule as the new Picanto will be offered with a choice of manual or automatic transmissions. 

"We're looking forward to the new model and it was a bit of a gamble launching Picanto in the fifth year of its lifecycle but it worked out well for us," Damien Meredith, Hyundai Australia chief operating officer said at the Geneva motor show, where the new Picanto made its global debut.

"We haven't finalised the price at this point in time. We would like to be around about the same mark, because I think that's the value proposition of where we are, but it's yet to be decided," Mr Meredith said.

The 2016 Picanto automatic is priced at $14,990 driveaway, but that "same mark" doesn't account for the availability of two transmission options which haven't been a part of the Picanto plan before. Kia's General Manager of Australian media and corporate communications, Kevin Hepworth added "The price discussion is going to be slightly different this time, because we're including manual, and we didn't have a manual previously."

So far Kia has only shown the European specification Picanto, which varies slightly from the version set to sold in Australia as it includes a range of brightly coloured interior options, with initial models being shown in premium GT-Line specification that won't be sold in Australia.

Engine options in the European Picanto include carry-over 1.0-litre and 1.25-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engines along with Kia's recently released 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo engine which produces 74kW and 172Nm. Australia will initially keep the 1.25-litre engine of the current model with a similar 63kW/120Nm tune, though the 1.0-litre turbo engine remains an option as a potential sportier model at a later date.

The Picanto for Europe will be assembled in Kia's Seosan plant in South Korea, as will Australian-bound versions. However, the final specification between the two markets is expected to differ slightly, particularly given the popularity of high-end city cars in Europe compared to the more prosaic versions that reach Australia.

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