Kia Picanto Captures What Car? Green Supermini Title

WEYBRIDGE, UNITED KINGDOM – Sept 8, 2011: The all-new Kia Picanto – launched in June – has captured the Best Supermini title in What Car? Magazine’s Green Awards 2011.

Described by Editor-in-Chief, Chas Hallett as “remarkably grown up”, the three-cylinder petrol engine equipped Picanto impressed because its NOx emissions are 25 times less than its nearest diesel-engined rival in the category – the Ford Fiesta 1.6 TDCi 95 Econetic.

What Car? commented that the Picanto’s sub 100g/km emission level means no London Congestion Charge and no road tax. The magazine also commented: ”Average fuel economy of 67.3 mpg is also hugely impressive”.

There was also praise for Picanto’s living-space. What Car? said: “the cabin is surprisingly classy for such a cheap car and the driving position isn’t the sit-up-and-beg sort that blights budget motors.

“We think the ‘1 Air’ trim makes the most sense. It gets the all-important air-conditioning, electric front windows and Kia’s famous seven-year warranty, but crucially doesn’t push the price into the territory of full-size superminis,” the magazine concluded.

Collecting the award, Mr Soo Huh, President of Kia Motors (UK) Ltd., said: “We are honoured that What Car? has recognised the enormous effort that has gone into making Picanto one of the cleanest superminis on the market. We are delighted that its package of economy, environmental-friendliness and sophistication in a value package is already appealing to huge numbers of British motorists.”