First pictures emerge of new Kia Picanto

The early bird catches the worm at Kia! The Geneva Motor show might be nearly four months away, but the Korean firm has just released the first pictures of one its show stoppers - the all new Picanto. 

The supermini has been given a major injection of style by Kia’s European design team, under the careful direction of guru Peter Schreyer, who is on a bit of a roll, with both the new Sportage and Optima saloon having been widely praised for their good looks. 

The latest model takes its cues from the electric POP! concept that wowed crowds in Paris, with a gaping grille in the front bumper, wide arches and curving C-shaped lights at the back. Neat touches like the fog lights that sit flush with the grille, and the indicators mounted in the wing mirrors give the new car genuine kerbside appeal.

It’s altogether chunkier than it’s predecessor too, although the big alloys and low-profile tyres are unlikely to make production, the Picanto will go on sale shortly after taking its bows in Geneva, with cars set to arrive in showrooms in May.

The Picanto will share its mechanical underpinnings with the next-generation Hyundai i10, which is also due out next year, with an improved engine line-up including an efficient three cylinder diesel. There’s no official word yet on whether the electric drivetrain from the POP! concept will make an appearance, but an eco-friendly model could follow in 2012. 

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