Scoupe, There It Is? Hyundai Mulls New Modest Sporty Auto

Is the Genesis Coupe probably too beefy for you? Effectively, it seems Hyundai may possibly have a solution in the pipe to slake your thirst for a fashionable Korean sportster. According to outgoing Hyundai Europe COO Allan Rushforth, such a machine is becoming deemed in Seoul.

Speaking to Autocar, Rushforth—on the eve of departing the automaker for a gig at Nissan—”Cars like these, such as the Audi TT, generate a large demand when they’re new, but then that dies off quickly. It is about demographics, too. The buyers of the old Coupé [sold here as the Tiburon] no longer want these vehicles.”

The TT analogy makes us believe that the new machine could somehow slot in amongst the Veloster and the Genesis coupe, which will likely move somewhat more upmarket in its subsequent iteration. There’s been open discussion about Hyundai taking on BMW’s vaunted 3-series—and by extension, the ATS, C-class, and the rest of that club—and it was explicitly suggested that the new vehicle would be a global model, but would not be a rehash of the Tiburon/Coupe. May well it then be a revival of the largely forgotten Scoupe? Possibly not, unless the Elantra abruptly finds itself replaced by a new Excel. (Which in and of itself would give us hope for a Mitsubishi Precis revival. We’ve been anxiously awaiting a resuscitated Precis. We picture Mitsubishi has, as well.)

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Despite the fact that Hyundai Motor America declined to comment on the story, citing its European source and relation to the company’s N overall performance brand, we get the sense that the Scoupe is the farthest issue from Hyundai’s mind at this point and that the new car could be much more akin to a Z4, while the next 2-door Genesis handles legitimate grand-touring duties. Will we see it right here? Nicely, HMA didn’t say no . . .

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Scoupe, There It Is? Hyundai Mulls New Modest Sporty Auto

Mild exterior update underlines sporty persona of updated Kia Picanto

The second-generation Kia Picanto has been turning heads since making its global premiere at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show and local market introduction in 2011. Completely redesigned, the new model – proudly featuring Kia’;s iconic ‘tiger nose’; grille – moved the Picanto from ‘cute’; and ‘friendly’; to ‘mature’; and ‘handsome’;, combining sporty styling, a high quality interior, frugal and efficient engines and exceptional levels of standard equipment to create a car that is, quite simply, awesome.

The Picanto was born from a simple idea: an affordable car should make no compromises on styling, features or technology. 3 years later, the Picanto remains one of the most striking and comprehensively equipped vehicles in its segment.

However, thanks to a mild exterior update, the all-awesome Picanto now looks even sportier and sexier, confidently showing off the design and features that has garnered it multiple awards in the past 4 years. And with the latest Picanto, Kia Motors has proven that ‘affordable’; can also be ‘awesome’;.

Award-winning credentials

Fresh off the mark following its European market launch in 2011, the Kia Picanto scooped a prestigious red dot design award in the Product Design category, coming out ahead of more than 11 000 other entries from more than 60 countries and marking Kia’;s fifth red dot award in less than 3 years.

A few months later, Kia Motors scooped up an equally covetable iF product design award for the 3-door Picanto (available exclusively in Europe) – the company’;s 4th in 3 years. This award recognizes design quality alongside a number of other criteria, including workmanship, level of innovativeness and eco-friendliness.  

But it’;s not just about awesome styling. Thanks to its low tailpipe emissions and the advanced manufacturing processes used in the production of the Kia Picanto (as well as the Kia Rio and Optima), TÜV Nord, an independent technical inspection organization, certified all 3 models according to the ISO 14040 Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).

In South Africa, the Picanto took top honours in the People’;s Wheels Awards for 3 years in a row (2011, 2012 and 2013), has won numerous ‘Best Buy’; awards from multiple major publications, and was elected a finalist in the 2012 WesBank / SAGMJ Car of the Year competition, widely considered the most prestigious competition on the South African motoring calendar.

Styling Level: Awesome

While the 2-model Picanto line-up remains unchanged, enhancements to the exterior endows it with a sportier, sexier face thanks to a revised ‘tiger nose’; grille and a restyled front bumper.

The new grille is slightly larger, and features a silver painted bezel surrounded by beveled edges for a more expressive, 3-dimensional visage. The ‘tiger nose’; on the range-topping EX model also features red bordering to separate the bezel from the black mesh grille, emphasizing its sporty appearance.

The new bumper incorporates a smaller kidney grille separated from the lower air intake, which is now narrower and positioned lower. The fog lamps are larger, as are the integrated fog lamp housings.

The Picanto’;s strongly-sculpted, dynamic side profile and uncluttered rear styling remains unchanged. The 1.0 LX ships with 14-inch steel wheels with full wheel covers, while the 1.2 EX features sporty 14-inch alloys.

Performance meets efficiency

2 of Kia Motor Corporation’;s efficient Kappa engines do duty in the all-awesome Picanto, starting with 3-cylinder, 998 cc unit producing 51 kW and 94 Nm of torque in the 1.0 LX. A 4-cylinder, 1248 cc engine is utilized in the range-topping 1.2 EX, producing 65 kW and 120 Nm of torque. Both engines are mated to a 5-speed manual transmission, but a 4-speed automatic transmission is available as an option.

Both engines feature DOHC, dual CVVT (continuously variable valve timing), a cast alumninium block, off-set crankshaft, maintenance-free long-life timing chain and low friction ‘beehive’; valve springs. This combination of technologies have resulted in significantly reduced exhaust emissions, while allowing the Picanto range fuel excellent economy.

Features and technology: Uncompromised

The Picanto’;s high quality interior has reflected the range’;s newfound maturity since its debut in 2011, and this remains one of the Picanto’;s major selling points. Major controls are arranged in an attractive, easy to use layout, while the thick rimmed, uniquely designed, 2-spoke steering wheel and the signature Kia ‘3 cylinder’; instrument cluster continues to reflect the consistency with which Kia’;s new design philosophy is being used throughout the brand’;s product line-up.

Features available on both models include manual air-conditioning, an under-floor trunk storage box, retractable dual cup holders and sun visors with vanity mirrors, as well as AUX/iPod/USB connections for the radio CD player with MP3 compatibility (the EX also sports steering wheel mounted controls and hands-free Bluetooth®.

Apart from a greater percentage of high-strength steel used in the construction of the Picanto’;s bodyshell, greater rigidity is achieved through ring-shaped reinforcing loops within the B- and C-pillars, and across the floor pan and roof, plus additional bracing at the front between the cowl and suspension towers.

The 1.0 LX and 1.2 EX boasts driver and passenger airbags. ABS anti-lock braking is standard on the 1.2 EX, as is an ESS (Emergency Stop Signal) system. Sensors detect when the driver is braking suddenly and hard, and then flash the brake lights 3 times to alert motorists behind you that the car is slowing rapidly. All models ship as standard with ISOFIX child seat anchors.

Value proposition: Amplified

The Picanto 1.0 LX retails for R130 995* (R142 995* for the automatic version), and the range-topping 1.2 EX for R140 995* (R152 995* for the automatic version). All derivatives ship as standard with a 5-year/ 100 000km warranty. A 2-year/ 45 000km optional service plan is also available. For more information, visit www.kia.co.za.

Mild exterior update underlines sporty persona of updated Kia Picanto

Mild exterior update underlines sporty persona of updated Kia Picanto

The second-generation Kia Picanto has been turning heads since making its global premiere at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show and local market introduction in 2011. Completely redesigned, the new model – proudly featuring Kia’;s iconic ‘tiger nose’; grille – moved the Picanto from ‘cute’; and ‘friendly’; to ‘mature’; and ‘handsome’;, combining sporty styling, a high quality interior, frugal and efficient engines and exceptional levels of standard equipment to create a car that is, quite simply, awesome.

The Picanto was born from a simple idea: an affordable car should make no compromises on styling, features or technology. 3 years later, the Picanto remains one of the most striking and comprehensively equipped vehicles in its segment.

However, thanks to a mild exterior update, the all-awesome Picanto now looks even sportier and sexier, confidently showing off the design and features that has garnered it multiple awards in the past 4 years. And with the latest Picanto, Kia Motors has proven that ‘affordable’; can also be ‘awesome’;.

Award-winning credentials

Fresh off the mark following its European market launch in 2011, the Kia Picanto scooped a prestigious red dot design award in the Product Design category, coming out ahead of more than 11 000 other entries from more than 60 countries and marking Kia’;s fifth red dot award in less than 3 years.

A few months later, Kia Motors scooped up an equally covetable iF product design award for the 3-door Picanto (available exclusively in Europe) – the company’;s 4th in 3 years. This award recognizes design quality alongside a number of other criteria, including workmanship, level of innovativeness and eco-friendliness.  

But it’;s not just about awesome styling. Thanks to its low tailpipe emissions and the advanced manufacturing processes used in the production of the Kia Picanto (as well as the Kia Rio and Optima), TÜV Nord, an independent technical inspection organization, certified all 3 models according to the ISO 14040 Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).

In South Africa, the Picanto took top honours in the People’;s Wheels Awards for 3 years in a row (2011, 2012 and 2013), has won numerous ‘Best Buy’; awards from multiple major publications, and was elected a finalist in the 2012 WesBank / SAGMJ Car of the Year competition, widely considered the most prestigious competition on the South African motoring calendar.

Styling Level: Awesome

While the 2-model Picanto line-up remains unchanged, enhancements to the exterior endows it with a sportier, sexier face thanks to a revised ‘tiger nose’; grille and a restyled front bumper.

The new grille is slightly larger, and features a silver painted bezel surrounded by beveled edges for a more expressive, 3-dimensional visage. The ‘tiger nose’; on the range-topping EX model also features red bordering to separate the bezel from the black mesh grille, emphasizing its sporty appearance.

The new bumper incorporates a smaller kidney grille separated from the lower air intake, which is now narrower and positioned lower. The fog lamps are larger, as are the integrated fog lamp housings.

The Picanto’;s strongly-sculpted, dynamic side profile and uncluttered rear styling remains unchanged. The 1.0 LX ships with 14-inch steel wheels with full wheel covers, while the 1.2 EX features sporty 14-inch alloys.

Performance meets efficiency

2 of Kia Motor Corporation’;s efficient Kappa engines do duty in the all-awesome Picanto, starting with 3-cylinder, 998 cc unit producing 51 kW and 94 Nm of torque in the 1.0 LX. A 4-cylinder, 1248 cc engine is utilized in the range-topping 1.2 EX, producing 65 kW and 120 Nm of torque. Both engines are mated to a 5-speed manual transmission, but a 4-speed automatic transmission is available as an option.

Both engines feature DOHC, dual CVVT (continuously variable valve timing), a cast alumninium block, off-set crankshaft, maintenance-free long-life timing chain and low friction ‘beehive’; valve springs. This combination of technologies have resulted in significantly reduced exhaust emissions, while allowing the Picanto range fuel excellent economy.

Features and technology: Uncompromised

The Picanto’;s high quality interior has reflected the range’;s newfound maturity since its debut in 2011, and this remains one of the Picanto’;s major selling points. Major controls are arranged in an attractive, easy to use layout, while the thick rimmed, uniquely designed, 2-spoke steering wheel and the signature Kia ‘3 cylinder’; instrument cluster continues to reflect the consistency with which Kia’;s new design philosophy is being used throughout the brand’;s product line-up.

Features available on both models include manual air-conditioning, an under-floor trunk storage box, retractable dual cup holders and sun visors with vanity mirrors, as well as AUX/iPod/USB connections for the radio CD player with MP3 compatibility (the EX also sports steering wheel mounted controls and hands-free Bluetooth®.

Apart from a greater percentage of high-strength steel used in the construction of the Picanto’;s bodyshell, greater rigidity is achieved through ring-shaped reinforcing loops within the B- and C-pillars, and across the floor pan and roof, plus additional bracing at the front between the cowl and suspension towers.

The 1.0 LX and 1.2 EX boasts driver and passenger airbags. ABS anti-lock braking is standard on the 1.2 EX, as is an ESS (Emergency Stop Signal) system. Sensors detect when the driver is braking suddenly and hard, and then flash the brake lights 3 times to alert motorists behind you that the car is slowing rapidly. All models ship as standard with ISOFIX child seat anchors.

Value proposition: Amplified

The Picanto 1.0 LX retails for R130 995* (R142 995* for the automatic version), and the range-topping 1.2 EX for R140 995* (R152 995* for the automatic version). All derivatives ship as standard with a 5-year/ 100 000km warranty. A 2-year/ 45 000km optional service plan is also available. For more information, visit www.kia.co.za.

Mild exterior update underlines sporty persona of updated Kia Picanto