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The smallest member of the Kia family – the KIA Picanto has made its way onto the Geneva motor show stand for its global debut.

The five-door will go on sale from May, with the three-door not appearing until the autumn.
Kia expects the sportier-looking three-door version to account for 30 per cent of sales, and help attract new, younger buyers to the brand.

The KIA Picanto is now 60mm longer with 36mm more front legroom and 27 per cent more boot space, up to 200 litres.

Power will be provided by a choice of three petrol engines: a 68bhp 1-litre, 84bhp 1.25-litre and a 81bhp 1-litre bi-fuel unit, which will use a mix of petrol and LPG.

“Our new Picanto is now a small car, grown-up,” comments Soon-Nam Lee, Director of Overseas Marketing, Kia Motors Corporation. “It is such a complete car, such a high quality package, offering numerous premium features and multiple trim choices, that it will raise the fundamental perception of A-segment models to a higher level.

UK consumers will benefit from the next generation Picanto’s greatly reduced CO2 emissions, improved fuel economy and reduced ownership costs when the model goes on sale later this year.