Picanto News: New Facelift Diesel Picanto Will Be Built In RHD

But will it find its way to the UK?

Although we do post this with caution, a source close to Kia tells us that the new 2007 facelift Picanto 'will' be built in right hand drive. Whilst we still remain sceptical the signs are optimistic.

To back this up, a recent press release kit from Kia Motors Corporation, although not yet published in the UK, reveals:

New 2007 Picanto will be available with the same three engines that have proved so popular in the current model range. Customers will continue to be offered a choice of two gasoline engines or a diesel powerplant — and either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission.

For the 2007 model, the diesel engine will also be available in right-hand drive models.

It's that last sentence which sounds like music to our ears, lets just hope it becomes a reality.

On the subject of music, the press release also confirms what we already suspected, iPod and AUX connections in an audio system that Kia describe as an all-new centre stack with a factory-fitted, tailor-made radio/CD player.

Full audio integration was first introduced in the Kia range with the Carens SUV followed by the recent Kia Ceed hatchback and facelift Sorento. A welcome change we might add as there's nothing worse than a beautifully designed dashboard being ruined by a badly fitted aftermarket cassette/radio.

Engine specification is pretty much the same as the run out models, but we'll refrain from guessing the interior features as the press kit is aimed at European variants, although we can confirm the power steering is 'electrically powered' as opposed to speed sensitive as we suggested earlier.

No mention of the warranty either, although its more likely to be increased to 5 years as opposed to the 7 year warranty of the Ceed.

Watch this space!!