Test drive Kia Picanto 2004 - 2007 hatchback

Monathetic babble

Cars are like living things: kids gradually gain centimeters and kilograms, go from one class to another. They are replaced by new small models, but they are slowly reaching for adults. Modern compacts are ready to carry five passengers, providing them with proper security. In addition, the kids pamper with electronic things with might and main, which used to boast of only large cars.
Here are live examples: the barrier has a grown smart, who received the name Fofo (for Four - for four), and the opponent from the east - Kia Pikanto. In appearance - small children, but on the manners?
Attention, air!
The developers designed a Pikanto with an eye on the European market. This means that the machine should be five -seater, with separate doors for the rear passengers. And - more air in the cabin!
Manufacturers say: Pikanto modest in dimensions is very spacious. It seems that it is. The width in the shoulders of the front riders is 1290 mm, 2 mm more at the back. Of course, there will be no three burden. But, say, on a trip from guests to the house you can tolerate. Well, it is unlikely that anyone will come to my mind on a small car on vacation.
In Fofo, it breathes freer. But do not forget that it exceeds the opponent in width and length. The buyer of Smart (however, like Pikanto) can choose between four- and five-seater options for salons. The internal dimensions are the same, the difference is in an additional seat belt and the headrest. By the way, the Koreans are silent about the surcharge for fifth place, and the Germans promise to sell such cars at the same price.
The eternal problem of small cars: there is no room for luggage. There are no miracles in our century: the Pikanto trunk does not differ out with outstanding dimensions - 157 liters. As befits a modern car, the back of the rear seat folds in parts in a ratio of 40:60. Lay out it with a trunk floor - get a cargo compartment with a volume of five times more. Bags with sportswear and even a couple of mountain bicycles will come in.
With indistinguishable seats, the trunk of Fofo is more spacious. In addition, the rear sofa can be moved by 150 mm, unless, of course, passengers agree. By the way, although the smart is larger outside, the front seats are not much freer than in Pikanto.
Fofo boasts of some curious little things that emphasize the sensitive care of riders. For example, by order between the front seats, a multifunctional armrest is installed. After simple manipulations, he will become a table for the rear riders.
Little things in a comfortable life
The times have long passed when the mini-cars were deprived of amenities. Now they are more than enough, however, for many you will have to pay extra to the basic value. First of all, the owner of Pikanto. The assortment of additional equipment of the Korean is rich: electric windows, climate control, heating seats, mirrors with electric drives, etc., etc.
Most of these pleasant excesses at FOFO in the basic configuration. And as options they offer equipment that many higher classes of higher classes will envy. For example, an audio system with speakers of different frequencies, a subwoofer and an MP3 player, navigation. And also a built -in phone and even access to the World Wide Web. For switching comfort - a steering wheel with numerous buttons to control these devices, without removing hands from the helm.
The rain sensor helps to fight atmospheric precipitation and splashes from under the wheels of oncoming cars to the FOFO driver. With the onset of twilight, the little car will also light the headlights on his own.
Caring smart even helps the driver find the road from car to home at night. Suppose you drive up to the familiar doors and turn off the ignition. The headlights automatically go out so as not to discharge the battery. Unload the luggage, press the keyen button and, closing the door locks, the machine lights the headlights, illuminating the path. After 12 seconds, the light goes out. Before you could get to the door? Click twice on a keychain, get extra time.
The future owner of FOFO is offered to choose a roof over his head. The simplest is plastic. An enjoying sunlight will allow a transparent ceiling with an area of \u200b\u200b1.4 m2, complemented by the curtain. Lovers to ride with a breeze (in the literal sense!) Will attract a hatch with an electric drive; It can be cut both in the deaf and transparent roof.
Protect!
The designers paid special attention to the safety of cars: after all, there are not so many saving iron, absorbing the energy of the blow. Therefore, in the standard configuration, Pikanto is equipped with frontal pillows for the driver and front passenger. Additionally, you can buy a couple of side air bags hidden in the backs of the front seats. Their sensors are installed in the central racks. Fofo has a similar arsenal. In addition, for an additional fee, the car will be equipped with safe curtains that will protect the heads of riders during a lateral blow.
The safety of small passengers is probably only a few years later will be elevated to the rank of law. But manufacturers are ready to take care of potential buyers now. Both cars provide a system for attaching children's seats isofix: it helps to avoid severe consequences in the accident.
The body of the FOFO is the basis of the steel frame, the so -called security cell. Additional stiffness is given to her by the floor, reinforced with longitudinal and transverse profiles. And the outer panels of thermoplastic material are painted with water -based enamels and are well lend itself to recycling.
Walking on the platforms
Even with the weakest motors, the maximum speed of smart and kia exceeds 150 km/h. Basy engines do not differ special technical refinctions. But they consume cars, according to manufacturers, on average less than 6 l/100 km. More economically, diesel versions of Pikanto and Fofo, which will appear later.
Along with five -speed mechanical boxes, cars are equipped with automatic machines: KIA - four -speed hydromechanical, and Fofo - a six -speed box with automatic switching. By the way, the owner of the latter can sort through the programs not only with a floor lever, but also with buttons on the steering wheel. The management has a curious function that allows you to slowly roll, without playing a gas pedal, as if on a car with an ordinary hydrotransformer. The device helps easier to endure traffic jams and park.
On the Pikanto for the European market, disc brakes are installed in a circle and an anti -lock system, as well as on all smarts. In addition, FOFO is serial equipped with an ESP exchange stability system - a rarity on cars of this class.
The designers also did not forget about the steering wheel amplifiers. The hydraulic drive in the steering of Pikanto made it possible to reduce the number of revolutions of the helm from 3.7 to 2.8. But this is an option. And the electrophilus for FOFO is in standard configuration.
Of course, from the point of view of Comfort Pikanto against the background of Fofo, it looks pale. The latter feels the hand of one of the parents - the Mercedes -Benz company. By the way, Daimler-Coisler and Mitsubishi also took part in the creation of the car. Appearance, of course, is a matter of taste, but, whatever you say, the design of the FOFO is original. However, and therefore more controversial. But Pikanto cannot be called primitive. And the Korean is also in the asset ... That's right! The price in Europe has not yet been indicated, but it probably will not reach 13 thousand euros, which are asked for the basic Fofo.
 


Maxim Sachkov

Source: The magazine "Driving"