KIA is about to introduce a sporty three-door version of its popular Picanto model for the first time since the family runabout was launched seven years ago.
Prices will be from £7,795 when cars hit the streets on September 1 and among the four trim levels are a pair of new high specification grades.
If predictions that city car sales will have grown to 3.3 million by 2015 are correct, and one million of those will be three-door, then it’s essential the Korean company has that option in its armoury.
Even more so given that the UK sales split between body styles in this area of the market is a slender 55-45 in favour of five-door models.
While the dimensions of the three and five-door Picanto models are identical, there are significant character differences.
Apart from new doors and rear panels, the three-door model has a larger main grille opening available with silver or red trim surrounds while the front bumper has been re-profiled to make the car appear wider and lower.
And a simple measure that makes the three-door Picanto appear more sporty is a black central section in place of body colour in the rear bumper. There are also twin chromed exhausts in place of the five-door model’s single tailpipe.
Inside, sliding and tilting front seats provide a wide ‘walk-in’ to the split rear bench.
Colour schemes and trim structure reflect the three-door’s role as the sportier model in the range. So entry-level Picanto 1 or, with air conditioning, Picanto 1 Air, come with all-black upholstery.
Above that the models are named Halo and Equinox rather than 2 and 3, Halo boasting premium black and grey interior trim while Equinox is finished in ‘Chilli’ red.
Depending on engine and trim combination, there is a choice of four exterior colours, and alloy wheels are standard on all but ‘1’ and ‘1 Air’ grade cars.
All are powered by 1.0 and 1.25-litre petrol engines delivering fuel economy of up to 67.3mpg with CO2 emissions as low as 99g/km.
And the larger engine is available with Kia’s EcoDynamics fuel-saving technology – an Intelligent Stop & Go engine stop/start system – or, alternatively, with automatic transmission.
Standard features on all versions include a trip computer, height-adjustable seat, a tilt-adjustable steering column, power steering plus RDS radio and CD player with MP3 compatibility, ABS, front, side and curtain airbags and a seven-year warranty.
Whilst the Halo and Equinox versions have differing equipment levels they share certain items such as Bluetooth with voice recognition, automatic lights, LED front daytime running lights and LED rear lights, body-coloured side sill mouldings and a red front grille surround.
Prices are from £7,795 for the Picanto 1.0 ‘1’ model rising to £12,295 for the 1.25 ‘Halo’ Auto.