Comfort & Convenience

Raising the benchmark with ‘big car’ comforts

Picanto’s new found maturity is also reflected in the interior design, which sets a new benchmark in its class for material quality and trim choices.

New Picanto’s sophisticated interior will offer buyers numerous ‘big car’ comfort and convenience features – many of them fitted for the first time on a car in this segment. It will set a new benchmark in its class for material quality and the range of trim choices that introduces a ‘premium’ level of individualisation to this segment.

The interior architecture shows the same chic functionality as the exterior with major controls arranged in an attractive and easy to use layout which emphasizes the width and space of the interior. The thick rimmed two-spoke steering wheel and the signature Kia ‘three cylinder’ instrument cluster with its clear and precise graphics, reflect the consistency with which the new design philosophy is being used throughout the Kia product line-up.

An unusual innovation which new Picanto brings to the A-segment is an attractive choice of interior trim options. Two interior environment colours – Ebony Black and Alpine Grey, in woven cloth for LX and woven/tricot cloth for EX – are complemented by three special trim packages for EX models.

The Deluxe Pack adds full man-made leather upholstery and trim, while the New Chic Pack features a mix of cloth and leather trim – both in Ebony Black. The range-topping Premium Sports Pack has woven tricot cloth/man-made leather in black or grey, plus a Supervision instrument cluster and alloy sports pedals.

By offering very different interior packages – each of which has matching decor details and can be combined with the customer’s ideal exterior colour – Kia has managed to introduce a premium level of individualisation to the segment. The interior can be chic, sporty or premium, depending on the customer’s preference and next year new Picanto will also offer a choice between the two very different body styles.

New features introduced with new Picanto will offer owners UV-reducing windscreen glass, automatically controlled air-conditioning, electric folding door mirrors, automatic light control with ‘escort’ and ‘welcome’ modes, passenger seat storage tray, under-floor storage box, retractable dual cup holders with mood lighting, sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors and a ‘gear shift indicator’ to encourage an economical driving style.

Other new features available include smart-key entry system with engine start/stop button, AUX, iPod and USB connections for the RDS radio CD player with MP3 compatibility, Bluetooth® hands-free with voice recognition, ‘active’ head restraints, driver’s knee airbag, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, reversing parking sensors, HAC (Hill start Assist Control) and engine start/stop automatic ISG that further enhances fuel economy. See ‘Standard & Optional Equipment’ section for full details.

As well as enhancing the ride/handling and accident impact resistance, the stiffer bodyshell structure of new Picanto is the foundation for much improved refinement that will make this Kia the class-leader in the A-segment.

NVH counter-measures include larger hydraulic mountings for the engine and transmission, a triple-layer dashboard bulkhead sound-deadening panel, dual door sealing strips, and two measures to reduce wind noise – sound-blockers within the door mirror mounts and moving the radio antenna towards the rear of the roof.