Picanto News: Why Doesn't Kia Offer A Small Diesel Automatic?

As a blog that's dedicated to the Picanto and also one that we feel tries to represent the opinions of not just the manufacturer, but also of its readers, we actively encourge participation.

Today we are going to publish a short email sent in by one of our readers who asks the question: Why is it not one manufacturer can produce an affordable small diesel automatic?

Lee Onslow's last car was a Citroen ZX Diesel Auto (remember those?) and says that if Kia were to produce an automatic transmission in its diesel engined Picanto, he'd be queing at the door. Hey Lee we'd be just happy with the diesel Picanto in any form at the moment :-)

Here's his post in full.

Can anyone please tell me as to why not one manufacturer can produce an affordable small diesel automatic?

All small diesels (Punto, Mazda 2, Colt, C3 and Smart) purporting to be automatics have infact automated manual transmissions?

It would appear to me that manufactures are playing safe and pandering to emissions rather than giving the customer a choice! I'd rather have a smooth gear changing 'slush box' than a series of automated manual changes thank you very much.

My last small (!) diesel automatic was a Citroen ZX. Since its demise, the only small auto's now available are petrol's - which I hate due to their poor fuel returns, higher (than diesel) emissions, weedy engines with no torque.

Now if only Kia were brave enough to slot in an auto box with this promising diesel engine, I'd be queuing at their door.

Thank you Lee for the post and readers feel free to comment.