Some time back when Kia Motors that is partly owned by the Hyundai Motor Group, indicated its intentions to foray into the Indian auto market, the news grabbed much attention all over. But as time passed by, the probability that Kia would be selling cars in India with Hyundai was reduced considerably. However, bringing in much surprise, the Kia Picanto, also known as the Morning was spotted in Chennai located near Hyundai’s production unit recently. Therefore, the buyers and experts have another big reason to expect a debut by Kia in the country.
The all new version of Picanto was seen during its tests; the car which made its global debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. The new Picanto is a consummate car, with well-defined dynamics, sportier exterior and a best-in-class interior. Sharing the engine specifications with i10, the Picanto offers a more innovative design and cabin.
The new generation Picanto has a bold and advanced appeal, with attractive proportions and dynamic design that leaves behind the feminine look wore by its predecessor. The biggest advantage carried by the exterior design is an increased sense of stability, attained through the muscular wheel arches and a wide set of alloy wheels.
In the overseas markets, the car is equipped with 1.0 and 1.2-litre engine which churns out a maximum power of 84 hp. However, in case the car make its way to India, it is likely to carry the 1.2-litre Kappa2 powerplant, which is also a part of Hyundai i10. The 5-speed manual transmission is a standard feature mated to all engines of Picanto, while a 4-speed automatic gearbox finds a place in the top of the line variants.
It is strongly believed that the car is there in India for testing purpose, which is directed towards the international market. However, the possibility that India is also on the cards cannot be ruled out completely. As a matter of fact, besides its presence with Hyundai in India, the two companies have earned laurels in many markets, including Europe.
For a rapidly-growing market like India, Kia would be more than satisfied to land the car on the Indian soil in the coming time. Moreover, Picanto would probably be receiving a positive response from the Indian buyers, as they have a great penchant for unique and innovative cars.
Thus, even though the entry of the Picanto in the Indian market is not supported by official confirmations, Kia would like to tap the potential market in order to raise its bars yet again.
