Test Drive Kia Picanto since 2011 Hatchback

All photos Kia Picanto since 2011

Nestelsky Lepet

Cars are similar to living beings: the kids are gradually gaining centimeters and kilograms, go from one class to another. They are replaced by new little models, but they slowly stretch behind adults. Modern compacts are ready to carry out five passengers, providing them with due security. In addition, the kids are placed by electronic things, which only large cars boasted before.
Here are the living examples: the barrier has a stupid smart, who received the name Fofo (for four), and opponent from the east - Kia Picanto. Summary - small children, and in the wigs?
Attention, air!

The developers designed Picanko with an eye on the European market. So the machine must be a five-seater, with separate doors for the rear passengers. And - more air in the cabin!
Manufacturers argue: Socano modest in dimensions is very spacious. It looks like it is. Width in the shoulders of the front sediments - 1290 mm, behind 2 mm more. Of course, three road will not be free. But, let's say, on a trip to the guests to the house you can suffer. Well, the ride in a small car on vacation is unlikely to come to mind on vacation.
The phofo breathes freely. But do not forget that in width and length, he surpasses an opponent. The smart buyer (however, as Picanto) can choose between four and five-seamers of salons. The internal dimensions are the same, the difference in the additional seat belt and the head restraint. By the way, the Koreans are silent about the fifth place, and the Germans promise to sell such cars at one price.
Eternal problem of small machines: no place for booties. Miracles and in our age does not happen: the outstanding sizes of the trunk Picanto is not different - 157 liters. As it should be the modern car, the back of the rear seat folds in parts in the ratio of 40:60. Spread it up with a trunk floor - get the cargo compartment of five times more. There will be bags with sportswear and even a couple of mountain bikes.
With undressed seats trunk phofo spacious. In addition, the rear sofa can be moved by 150 mm, unless, of course, passengers will agree. By the way, although the smart is larger outside, behind the front seats is not much freer than in Picanto.
Fofo boasted some curious things that emphasize the sensitive concern for rides. For example, by order between the front seats, a multifunctional armrest is installed. After simple manipulations, it will become a table for the rear sedes.
The little things of a comfortable life

For a long time, the times when mini cars were deprived of amenities. Now they are even debugged, however, for many will have to pay extra for the basic value. First of all, the owner of Picanto. The range of additional equipment of the Korean is rich: power windows, climate control, heated seats, mirrors with electric drives, etc., etc.
Most of these pleasant excesses in the FFO in the basic configuration. And as options offer equipment to which many more high-class cars will envy. For example, an audio system with different frequency speakers, subwoofer and MP3 player, navigation. And the built-in phone and even exit to the World Wide Web. For consumer comfort - a steering wheel with numerous buttons to control these devices without removing the hands from the steering wheel.
Fighting with atmospheric precipitation and splashes from under the wheels of the oncoming machines The driver of the FFO helps the rain sensor. With the onset of twilight, the car will also independently lit the headlights.
Thoughtful smart even helps the driver find the road from the car to the house at night. Suppose you drive up to familiar doors and turn off the ignition. Headlights automatically go out to not discharge the battery. You unload hello, click on the key fob button and, closing the door locks, the machine lights the headlights, lighting the path. After 12 seconds, the light goes out. Did not have time to reach the door? Click twice by keychain, get extra time.
The future owner of the FOFO is offered to choose and roof over your head. The simplest is plastic. Enjoying the solar rays will allow a transparent ceiling with an area of \u200b\u200b1.4 m2, augged by a curtain. Lovers ride with the breeze (in the literal!) Attract the hatch with an electric drive; It can be embedded both in the deaf and transparent roof.

Self!
Car safety Designers paid special attention: after all, the saving gland absorbing the energy of the blow, small cars are not so much. Therefore, in the regular configuration, the picanto is equipped with frontal pillows for the driver and front passenger. Additionally, you can buy a pair of side air bags hidden in the backs of the front seats. Their sensors are installed in central racks. Fofo has a similar arsenal. In addition, for an additional fee, the car has safe curtains that will protect the heads of the rides during lateral impact.
The safety of small passengers is probably only after a few years will be erected into the rank of the law. But manufacturers are ready to take care of potential buyers now. Both cars provide a system for fastening the children's seats of Isofix: it helps to avoid heavy consequences at an accident.
Based on the body of the FFO - steel frame, the so-called security cell. Additional stiffness she gives the floor, reinforced by longitudinal and transverse profiles. And the outer panels of thermoplastic material are painted with enamels on a water basis and well resistant to recycling.
Walk through platforms

Even with the most weak motors, the maximum speed of SMART and KIA translates 150 km / h. Special technical research, gasoline engines do not differ. But they consume cars, according to manufacturers measurements, on average less than 6 l / 100 km. Even more economically, diesel versions of Picanto and Fofo, which will appear later.
Along with the five-speed mechanical boxes, cars are equipped with automatic machines: kia - four-stage hydromechanical, and a pho-six-speed box with automatic switching. By the way, the owner of the latter can sort out the programs not only with an outdoor lever, but also buttons on the steering wheel. The management includes a curious function that allows you to slowly roll, without playing the gas pedal, as if by car with a conventional torque converter. The device helps easier to carry the plugs and park.
On Picanko for the European market, disc brakes are installed in a circle and anti-locking system, as well as on all smarts. In addition, the FOFO is serially equipped with an ESP course stability system - a rarity on vehicles of this class.
About the power steering constructors also not forgotten. The hydraulic drive in the steering control Picanto allowed to reduce the number of revolutions of the steering wheel from 3.7 to 2.8. But this is the option. And the electrocessor on the FFO - as standard.
Of course, in terms of comfort, Picanto on the background of Fofo looks pale. In the latter, the hand is felt by one of the parents - Mercedes-Benz. By the way, Diamler-Chrysler and Mitsubishi took part in the creation of the car. Appearance, of course, the case of taste, but that neither say, the design of the Fofo is original. However, because more controversial. But the piquano won't call the primitive. And in the asset Korean ... right! The price in Europe does not yet indicate, but it will certainly reach 13 thousand euros, which are asked for the basic FFO.