Engines & Transmissions

Highly efficient engines deliver great fuel economy

In Europe, every new Picanto will come with a highly efficient Kappa engine that helps lower this model’s CO2 base-line to just 90 g/km and lowers fuel consumption to as little as 4.1 litres/100 km.

Three versions of the Kappa will be offered. A four-cylinder, 1,248 cc engine that generates 85 ps and 121 Nm of torque tops the line-up. Two three-cylinder, 998 cc units will present customers with a choice of a pure gasoline engine or one that drives on LPG and gasoline. The gasoline engine produces 69 ps and 95 Nm of torque. The LPG unit delivers 82 ps and 94 Nm of torque.

To minimise consumer anxiety about running out of LPG while driving in some European countries, the LPG model features a 35-litre LPG tank and a 10-litre gasoline tank, allowing owners to drive up to 150 km after the LPG has been used.

Made in Korea, the Kappa family of engines share many common characteristics, including dual CVVT (continuously variable valve timing), a cast aluminium block, off-set crankshaft, maintenance-free long-life timing chain and low-friction ‘beehive’ valve springs.

This combination of advanced technologies means that exhaust emissions have been significantly reduced, so that regular (non-ISG) models in the new Picanto line-up will have a CO2 rating of 95 to 105 g/km. Fuel economy will range from 4.2 to 5.9 litres per 100 km, contributing to lower running costs.

In Europe, all models will also be available with Kia’s fuel-stretching Eco-Dynamics technologies (automatic stop-start – ISG, advanced alternator control, upgraded starter motor and low-rolling resistance tyres), cutting CO2 emissions even further – to between 90 and 100 g/km – so that every model qualifies for local emissions-based tax savings, where available, and improving fuel economy to a range of 4.1 to 5.6 litres per 100 km.

Standard transmission for all engines in new Picanto will be a 5-speed manual, while a 4-speed automatic gearbox will be available as an option on the 1.2-litre 85 ps engine. With automatic transmission, new Picanto records a competitive fuel economy figure of 5.3 l/100 km, and a CO2 rating of 125 g/km.