Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Little cars are becoming big business around the world and if you’re looking for proof that good things really do come in small packages, look no further than the Kia Picanto.
At first glance, it didn’t strike me as anything particularly special but all that changed the moment I sat in the driver’s seat and took to the open road.
Admittedly, this car will not break the speed of sound or be spotted racing around the BIC, but it will definitely be spotted with a happy driver inside.
Finding parking spaces in Manama can be a driver’s worst nightmare, there’s always the occasional (or not so occasional) idiot who decides to park his massive 4x4 half out in the road or so close to you that he can smell what you had for breakfast.
Fortunately, if you’re in the Kia Picanto, the situation is never as bad as it first seems.
After a nice lunch with my Uncle George, I returned to the car to find someone had decided to try some ‘creative’ parking behind me. I was stuck between the pavement and the wall so I waited patiently for the inconsiderate chancer to arrive and move his car.
After waiting for several sweaty minutes with no sight of the driver (I bet he saw me waiting) I realised the only thing to do was drive over the pavement to the nearby dropped curb and join the road there. If I had been in a large saloon like the guy behind me, there is no way I would have been able to squeeze through the gap.
For such a small car, the Picanto’s comfortable interior offers a surprising amount of space, great for the weekly trip to the supermarket. It also has a port which can be used to plug in your MP3 player meaning you have the choice between listening to music you like, or music Maire Claire likes!
Safety is always an issue and with the Picanto, you’re in safe hands. Its safety features include an occupant safety shell design, dual airbags, ABS brakes and fog lamps with projection beam head lamps.
Under the bonnet, this compact yet stylish marque comes with 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine and 4-speed AT Steptronic transmission, which will give you all the power you need when you need it most.
However, in my opinion, the best thing about the Picanto is that it’s kind to the wallet both in terms of sales price and running costs.
Although it may not be too expensive (comparatively speaking) to run a car here in Bahrain, back in my native Blighty it costs a small fortune to fill your tank with petrol. So, the ingenious chaps at Kia have reduced exhaust emissions, meaning that regular models in the new Picanto line-up will have a CO2 rating of 95 to 105g/km.
To put that in terms of fuel economy, it will only require from 4.2 to 5.9 litres per 100 km, contributing to lower running costs ... not to mention less of a carbon footprint.
Thanks to its size and shape, this is an ideal car for new drivers or those who work or live in congested areas. It is also offered with a choice of five-door and three-door body styles.
Prices start from BD3,800.
For more information about the 2012 Kia Picanto, contact the Kia showroom on 17408800 or visit www.binhindi.com
