Hot hatches

Kia has just released a GT version of its popular Picanto, but is it an angry as it looks?

The Kia Picanto 2019 range has expanded with the inclusion of a new pint-sized hot-hatch model at a bargain basement price.The Kia Picanto GT model adds turbocharged zest, a manual transmission and sporty styling all for a sharp price tag of just $17,990 drive-away. The Picanto GT is powered by a punchy 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol three-cylinder engine producing 74kW of power (at 4500rpm) and 172Nm of torque (from 1500-4000rpm). It is front-wheel drive, and has a five-speed manual transmission only.The GT model has received a model-specific suspension tune by Kia Australia, with a "more aggressive tune for the shock absorbers and a stiffer spring rate" that offers "greater body control with better road feedback and improved ride comfort". The electric steering system has been retuned for "quicker response and enhanced stability when under load". The GT model rides on 16-inch alloy wheels with low-profile 195/45 rubber, which are said to offer improved grip and predictability in corners. The wheels combine with a body kit, contrasting body colour accents, a twin exhaust and GT badging. The Picanto GT is available in no-cost 'Clear White', or in the added-cost 'Titanium Silver', 'Aurora Black' or 'Signal Red' (adding $520 to the price).The interior features 'premium trim' (faux leather) and red flashes up front, with a more sedate full-black look in the rear. There’s a 7.0-inch touchscreen media system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, and a reversing camera and rear parking sensors are standard as well.As with the regular Picanto models, the GT gets auto emergency braking (AEB), as well as cruise control, auto headlights, and fog-lights. It may have a bit more posh, poke and presence than the standard Picanto, but it’s still a fuel miser - the claimed consumption figure is just 4.8 litres per 100 kilometres - 0.2L better than the non-turbo 1.25-litre version. Kia Australia’s chief operating officer, Damien Meredith, said the Picanto has gone from strength to strength in the Australian market since its launch in 2016."We were warned that trying to launch a micro car into Australia was a fruitless exercise and doomed to failure. The segment was shrinking fast with only a handful of cars being sold. Three years on and we are very happy with the way the Picanto has found a comfortable niche at the entry-level of the market."With that in mind it seemed like the right time to give an opportunity to a sporty version of the car, a version for which there has been a constant undercurrent of demand," he said.The pint-sized Picanto GT becomes the fourth member of Kia's GT family, joining the just-unveiled Cerato GT sedan and hatch, the Optima GT sedan and the Stinger GT fastback. The brand also has an extensive range of GT-Line models, which offers the appearance of the sportier version, but not the extra grunt. Indeed, the Picanto GT joins the regular S version (available in manual and auto) and the GT-Line auto - which runs a 1.2-litre non-turbo engine and four-speed automatic. The recently added Picanto AO Edition - which is expected to be a permanent addition marketed as the X-Line - also gives compact car customers a chance to ride higher and with rugged styling. We’ve listed the current drive-away pricing for all Picanto models below to give you an idea of where the new GT sits in the line-up. Kia Picanto 2019 range - current drive-away pricing:Check out all 2019 Kia Picanto price and spec info here.

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Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific has announced an expansion of its A-Class range, with the arrival in February of the new entry-level A180 ahead of two more A250 variants.The additions bring the variant count to five, but that will expand further with the eventual arrival of the sporty AMG A35 and A45 models as well as the sedan that is expected in the second quarter of next year.The A180 is priced from $42,300 excluding on-road costs, which means the A-Class has a higher entry price than any of its rivals in the premium small car segment.Audi’s A3 range kicks off from $36,200, BMW’s 1 Series starts at $39,990 – which is the same starting price for the Volvo V40 – while the Lexus CT200h is $40,990.Benz’s previous-generation A180 was sold for $38,700, meaning the new version represents a $3600 price increase.The A180 uses the same 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder engine as the A200, but power is down by 20kW/50Nm to 100kW/200Nm.It is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission driving the front wheels, has a combined fuel consumption figure of 5.7 litres per 100km and can dash from 0-100km/h in 8.8 seconds – 0.8s slower than the A200.The A180 will be offered as standard with the 'MBUX' multimedia system that includes two 10.25-inch screens and the company’s ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice command.It also comes with satellite navigation, DAB+ digital radio, smartphone integration, keyless start, 'Artico' sports seats, LED headlights, lane keep assist, active parking assist with ‘Parktronic’, blind spot assist with an exit warning, active brake assist, traffic sign recognition and a reversing camera.The 'Style Equipment Line' is standard and includes a diamond-look grille and 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, but those hoops are from June production. Until then buyers must pay extra for optional 18-inch wheels.Benz will also introduce a front-wheel-drive version of its limited A250 that launched in '4Matic' guise in early December. The FWD version is priced at $48,800 – a $700 decrease compared with the all-paw A250 – but its equipment list matches its sibling.There is also now an A250 4Matic with AMG Line from $54,800 that adds 18-inch AMG bi-colour alloy wheels, AMG Line body styling, Night Package with privacy glass, keyless start, a panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting and Artico and Dinamica upholstery.All A250 variants are powered by a 165kW/350Nm four-cylinder 2.0-litre turbocharged engine that propels it from 0-100km/h in 6.2 seconds.2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class pricing

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