Picanto News: Facelift Picanto Diesel In The UK: Reality Or Pipe Dream?

Were back to that old chestnut again. You know the one about whether we'll see the Diesel Picanto in any shape of form in the UK. Of course it's possible if some German or Dutch tourists happen to fancy a day out to old blighty, but so far we've been mislead and disappointed.

The recent facelift Picanto with its more rounded and intimate look (nice pic ED) and 40 mm stretch may give us hope, but somehow we doubt it'll happen. That is unless you really want it here in the first place.

So how can we manage to persuade Kia to bring an oil burning Picanto over to these shores? Simple! Convince them that your prepared to pay £7,500 for it.

This is the gospel according to Sun Motoring Journalist Ken Gibson when he says of 'the new Picanto: "One of the most impressive things about it is a great little 1.1 litre turbo diesel that does more than 55mpg."

Yes Ken we know!!

Ah, but there's still hope as Ken adds: "But Kia in the UK are debating whether to bring the engine here because it would cost up to £1,000 above the 1.1litre petrol and put the Picanto’s price up to £7,500 – which slightly defeats the model’s low-price appeal – and Kia know price is."

So he's either 'had words' with the Korean's or he likes winding us up.

Lets take his first point. The price isn't the issue at all as the Diesel Picanto 'stimulated' interest and accounted for the upturn in Picanto sales in Europe when it was launched. So if the German's, Dutch and Spanish will pay it, why won't we.

And on his last point about how price is "crucial in the entry-level city car sector", the Picanto Diesel will still be the cheapest small diesel car by a country mile at £7500 in the UK. And they'll still offer the Petrol model around £6000 as well.

Come on Kia, stop debating and get it sorted.