Test drive Kia Picanto 2004 - 2007 hatchback

In the grass Grasshopper sat

There are two categories of cars that can be forgiven a lot, almost everything. This is the first sportkup, created for the sake of beauty and speed, which serve as their personification. Inconvenience, gluttony, high cost choosing such a car for the soul, turn a blind eye to all its shortcomings. Another category is small cars created for surgical movement around the city. Practical and inexpensive bags on wheels. They can forgive the tightness, limited high -speed and dynamic capabilities, non -fulfillment. Think about it! But! A minimum of space occupied on the road, low price and absolute absence of any hint of pathos.

Have you noticed that in nature there are no small city cars that could be called beautiful? But! How many pretty, funny, funny, charming, cool, even ridiculous! Yes, it is ridiculous. And what? After all, it is not as simple as it seems to be as it seems. It's a challenge. Less seriousness is more joy! Where is your smile, Comrade Gelend? Boomer, I'm not afraid of you!
But, if you think about it, to create a worthy work in the framework of a small form is also an art. But, if possible, the result can live up to all expectations only that can be born an autobesseller. There are examples of the same Hyundai Getz, say.

An example is contagious. See what a cool small machine. Just beautiful! Large farks, a grown radiator grille, a green grass, a funny grasshopper, jumping on the streets of the city with a bright spot. Kia Picanto is as a challenge to a society whose idol is five meters of black varnished metal with chrome. More life! Is Picanto beautiful? There is no default, for it is small. But how much charm and fun!

Presumably, Koreans are very counting on the success of the machine. The car is accompanied by powerful information support: for example, on the Internet, I easily found several very beautiful and saturated sites entirely dedicated to the car. Picanto then, Picanto is becoming curious: really, what is this miracle Kia Picanto?

Small inexpensive cars are largely more interesting than modern sophisticated computers on wheels. Yes, everything is manually. But everything is extremely simple and understandable. There is no need to cut into anything just sat down and went. On the way, we will figure out what is there and how. There will be more time to get to know the machine itself, and not with its systems. Here is a minimum on the grasshopper of the control electronics. And okay. But! A narrow and turntable car allows you to work miracles in the city. It was as if the streets were expanded in a wave, stretched stripes and added places for parking. Touching without problems, and it is already harder to accelerate: the pedal has long been in the floor, a liter motor spins, spins, and the car is gaining speed too calm. At least it seems so. If you do not be shy and swing the engine to the limiting revolutions, then closer to the red zone, a liter, which before that was practically unable, begins to give a voice, and as a result it seems that the machine accelerates faster. Gradually, you switch exclusively to the top, and in such open the need for fifth gear in the city disappears completely.

And the engine is really very quiet. And on the idle and completely silent. Good Shumka? Then why is the suspension so good? On each fossa, a knock-stitch published by it is clearly heard. At the same time, Picanto looks rather comfortable, although on gentle waves it is felt that the wheelbase is short: a grasshopper, as they say, is a goat.

The little car is shod in narrow tires, the coupling properties of which is enough only to write in a more or less steep turn. Very early the car breaks into sliding! But! Safe: reinsurance has not yet harmed anyone. Better get your pleasure from something else. Here, for example, evaluate the steering wheel, what is it light! Even too much: a generous amplifier does not spare power. The steering is not too sensitive, and the tires are again guilty: the departments are very great. Only having moved, you understand: you should get used to Picanto. At first, the moment of the clutch is not entirely clear, but this is still tolerant. Much worse that the pedals are located too high; And therefore, you have to work with your feet, holding them on weight (which is unacceptable), or come to terms with the fact that the ankle is working on a break (which is unpleasant). What am I finding fault this tiny machine! How much do not find fault, and ride on Picanto is still great, whatever one may say. Yes, and just in the cabin is already good. Despite the complete absence of any steering wheel adjustments, it is convenient to settle down here easier. Do not sit down, of course, but just sit down. At least in front. The back is worse: there are doors, but there is no place. To small people there will be quite there. But the big uncles resume, but they will not get back closely. Of course, you can ask to move in front of them. Although this is wrong. However, they will have to move in any case, if you need to fold the rear seats. Only so and nothing else. Planning costs

The interior of the car is as simple as it is functional. Nothing extra. The hand of electrification almost did not touch our Picanto in the simplest configuration. Of all the best, only glass windows for the driver and the front passenger. Mirrors with mechanical adjustment found an undercurrent feature. During the initial adjustment, it was not possible to achieve the desired position of the mirror. However, with a second attempt, the desired result was achieved. What's the matter? Apparently, the drive has a certain moment of elasticity: after I regulated the mirror for the first time, the lever returned to its place; At the same time, the mirror remained motionless. The mystery of nature, however. But the completely lowered glass of the rear doors is a thing! On such and such a tiny! .. The signal to the attack is three green whistles up! Picanto Craxon is very sharp, piercing, cheerful. Nonal. But! memorable. The most for a small green car. Cars without pathos, without tension, without showing off.
And without complexes. I envy.

Autography Kia Picanto
It is also known as: Hyundai Atos Prime/Kia Morning
Predecessor: Visto
Premiere: March 2004
Engines: 1.0-1.1 l (60-64 hp)
Production: Korea
Expected replacement: 2009/10

The car was provided by Elan Motors, the official dealer Daewoo, Hyundai, Kia and Ssang Yong.
During the test, the car is insured by LLC Nation Center.
 
Text: Kirill Brevdo
Photo: Roman Ostanin
 
 
 
   

Source: Wheel magazine [No. 83/2004]