Autoblog

Kia Picanto ad nails the female demographic

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Hatchback, Kia

Kia wants you to appreciate how much work they did to make the 2012 Picanto not just another small car, but a maximized small car. So their advertising team did something that involved a month of work and 1,200 bottles of nail polish to paint animations on 900 press-on nails. The Picanto in the image above didn't happen with CG keystrokes, but with a tiny brush strokes, and there are 899 others to keep it company.

While we still aren't earmarked to get get the tiny hatchback in the U.S., we can certainly appreciate the creativity that has gone into this spot. Follow the jump for the video, and as Roy Campanella used to ask, "What will they think of next?"

Continue reading Kia Picanto ad nails the female demographic

Kia Picanto ad nails the female demographic originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Jul 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Geneva 2011: 2012 Kia Picanto brings A-game to the A-segment

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 10:59:00 EST

Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, Hatchback, Kia

2012 Kia Picanto - Click above for high-res image gallery

Originally launched back in 2004, the Kia Picanto has gone through twoface lifts before arriving in its all-new form here on the Geneva Motor Show stage. The redesigned A-segment hatchback features the modern design language shared by the rest of the family, and it's offered in three-door or five-door form.

The 2012 Picanto is available with a choice between three engines and two transmissions. The base engine is a 1.0-liter three-cylinder unit that's offered in two forms; a traditional gas burner and a bi-fuel version that runs on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and gasoline. The standard gas version produces 68 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 70 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm. The bi-fuel unit generates 81 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 69 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm.

A larger 1.25-liter inline-four is also available, which produces 83 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 89 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. All three engines are mated to a five-speed manual gearbox and a four-speed automatic is optional with the four-cylinder. Those manual transmissions and tiny engines help the Picanto achieve excellent fuel economy. The 1.25-liter model earns nearly 66 miles per gallon in mixed driving while the 1.0-liter Kia nets 67 mpg. The bi-fuel engine achieves 48 mpg but only emits 90-g/km of C02, when equipped with Intelligent Stop and Go (ISG).

Check out our galleries below and the press release on this cheeky little not-for-U.S. hatchback after the jump.

Gallery: 2012 Kia Picanto: Geneva 2011

Gallery: 2012 Kia Picanto

Continue reading Geneva 2011: 2012 Kia Picanto brings A-game to the A-segment

Geneva 2011: 2012 Kia Picanto brings A-game to the A-segment originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

New Kia Picanto comes into the light

Zach Bowman — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 14:28:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Hatchback, Kia, UK

2011 Kia Picanto - Click above for high-res image gallery

Kia has just released details on the next-generation Picanto for UK buyers. The pint-sized city car has grown a bit, gaining a bit in both the wheelbase and width departments, and buyers will find an all-new, more aggressively styled exterior, too. Traditionally, the Picanto has only been served up as a five-door hatch, though Kia says that for the first time, UK buyers will be able to take advantage of a new three-door variant as well. The rest of the model's markets will have to make do with just the five-door design.

Kia has also thrown in a smattering of new drivetrain options as well. Buyers can choose between 1.0-liter or 1.2 liter gasoline engines, though there are no power figures for either at the moment. Kia says that each engine will be available in LPG, bi-fuel and flex-fuel variants depending on market demand. The company hasn't released an on-sale date, either, but we do know that the public will be able to get up close and personal with the Picanto at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show in March. Hit the jump for the full press release. Thanks to all for the tips!

Gallery: 2012 Kia Picanto

[Source: Kia]

Continue reading New Kia Picanto comes into the light

New Kia Picanto comes into the light originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Kia teases 2012 Picanto ahead of Geneva debut

Noah Joseph — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Hatchback, Kia

2012 Kia Picanto teaser sketches - Click above for high-res images

Kia has been hard at work, gaining credibility and sales in seemingly all market sectors over the past couple of years. What was once derided as a cut-rate brand has come back with higher quality and attractive styling, but the Picanto has until now been largely left out of the fun. An update for the overseas subcompact came in 2007, but that didn't do much for the diminutive city car. What Kia has in store for the next-generation model, however, stands to improve its lot.

With a debut scheduled for the Geneva Motor Show this coming March, Kia has released two sketches of what we might expect from the new Picanto. And if the new model carries over the edgy styling from these sketches with reasonable accuracy, the Picanto could emerge as a real player in the city car market. Check 'em out in the gallery below, along with the brief press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2012 Kia Picanto teaser sketches

[Source: Kia]

Continue reading Kia teases 2012 Picanto ahead of Geneva debut

Kia teases 2012 Picanto ahead of Geneva debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Dec 2010 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Kia Soul gets yet another UK special edition

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 18:05:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, Kia, UK

Kia's UK Soul Echo, Picanto and Rio special editions - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Kia Soul has another set of special-edition duds to wear in the UK. This time it's called the Soul Echo, latest in the Soul Originals line, following such others as the Tempest, Burner, Samba and Shaker. The Echo is offered in Clear White or Quartz Black Metallic, with stripes and accents that make them mirror images; e.g., the white Echo gets black alloys, the black Echo gets white alloys. Interior kit has been upgraded to black leather throughout, along with a beefier audio system; Bluetooth and iPod compatibility; and reversing sensors, in addition to a few other electro-gizmo add-ons. It's priced at £13,995 on the road.

A little further down the food chain are Domino editions of the Kia Picanto and Rio. Both superminis are bathed in white or black domino paint jobs and add a few options such as air conditioning. The Picanto Domino goes for £7,995 OTR , the Rio Domino for £9,295 OTR. Follow the jump fo Kia's press release, and view the cars' metallic monochrome goodness in the high-res gallery below.

Gallery: Kia goes Black and White for 2010

[Source: Kia]

Continue reading Kia Soul gets yet another UK special edition

Kia Soul gets yet another UK special edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 10 Jul 2010 18:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Europe: Freshened Kia Picanto now on sale

Alex Nunez — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 18:15:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Europe, Hatchback, Kia

Click image for photo gallery

Europeans have a new supermini available to them in the updated Kia Picanto. The facelift transforms the Picanto from the anonymous basic transportation it was (see here), to a friendly looking little critter that you want to name like a Build-A-Bear. The facelift consists of new front and rear fascias as well as a spruced up interior. The new face is a definite improvement over the outgoing car, and shows that Kia's moving toward a familial look. The grille, for example, is very Rondo-like. Rounded headlights give it a happier face than the vehicle it replaces, and likewise, there are now circular elements incorporated into the taillamp lenses. The interior details also look pleasing enough in the attached photos, and the car even offers niceties such as Bluetooth and both USB and auxiliary jacks for iPods.

Our sister site, Autoblog Spanish, has the French pricing posted. €7,990 puts you in the 63 hp 1.0i. Tack on another €1000 for the moderately spunkier 1.1i 66 HP. The costliest Picantos are the diesels, which sell for €9,690 or €10,690 depending on trim package. Both gasoline engines are good for combined-cycle fuel economy over 40 US mpg.

[Source: Autoblog Spanish]

Gallery: 2007 Kia Picanto

Europe: Freshened Kia Picanto now on sale originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 Dec 2007 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Updated 2007 Kia Picanto bound for Barcelona

John Neff — Fri, 25 May 2007 16:03:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Kia, Misc. Auto Shows

click above image for more angles of the 2007 Kia Picanto

The Kia Picanto is a small city car that's a big seller for the South Korean automaker. Though not sold in the U.S., the Picanto, which is based on the Hyundai Getz, is a hit in Europe and other export markets where teeny weeny autos are appreciated by the populace. Early next month, Kia will be debuting an updated Picanto at the Barcelona Motor Show in Spain. While far from all-new, the refreshed Picanto gets a more organic front end that reminds us a bit of the Hyundai Elantra that's sold in the U.S. The new front clip and rear bumper manage to grow the Picanto's overall length by 1.57 inches, but it's basically the same car underneath as before. The interior has also been upgraded, though it still appears to be chiseled from a giant block of hard plastic. Nevertheless, this new look has grown the Picanto from an awkward-looking city car into something that resembles a car even we Americans could excited about. After all, who doesn't love Lambo look-alike wheels on a micro mini?

You can rad Kia's official press release after the jump and check out the gallery by clicking below.

[Source: Kia]

Gallery: 2007 Kia Picanto

Continue reading Updated 2007 Kia Picanto bound for Barcelona

Updated 2007 Kia Picanto bound for Barcelona originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 May 2007 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Kia plays Cupid in London

Alex Nunez — Sun, 18 Jun 2006 10:05:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Etc., Europe, Marketing/Advertising, Hatchback, Kia

Kia claims that 1 in 5 relationship breakups occur after a couple fights over one person's driving skills (or lack thereof). This gave rise to a little socio-marketing experiment by the company called Drive Dating, which involved sending 20 Kia Picantos, 20 single guys, and 20 single girls to the London Zoo for a four-wheeled take on speed dating. The idea was to see how compatible a couple was in the confines of an automobile before they began dating in earnest. (Also, it provided the perfect excuse to arrange 20 cars in the shape of a heart and release pictures of said arrangement to the media.)

Participants played musical cars, spending three minutes in the front seat with an eligible bachelor or bachelorette before moving onto another car and another potential love match. The automaker supplied mood music and icebreaker questions, but good looks, engaging personalities, and reasonable levels of personal hygeine were the sole responsibility of the Drive Daters. Once the participants each made a full circuit through the Picantos, Kia sent them to a bar for debriefing and an opportunity for potentially "interested" couples to pick up where they left off.

Another Drive Dating event is scheduled for this week, and Kia would like to make it a regular thing if it proves to be successful.

How Kia will determine that level of success is not known, but if participants start locking the doors, moving to the second row of seating and taking more than their alloted three minutes ... well ...that might be an indicator that this Drive Dating thing is working out just fine.

(Kia press release after the jump)

[Source: Kia Motors UK]

Continue reading Kia plays Cupid in London

Kia plays Cupid in London originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 18 Jun 2006 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments