2017 Frankfurt Motor Show: Kia Picanto gets SUV treatment with X-Line variant

Kia will officially reveal a new addition to the Picanto range at Frankfurt, called the X-Line, however it won’t be coming to Australia.

The Picanto X-Line is a higher-riding variant of the Korean light car, packing a turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine.

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The 73kW/172Nm ‘T-GDI’ engine will make it the most equal most powerful Picanto available, matching the sporty GT variant with the same engine.

The X-Line is designed to be a more SUV/crossover-esque model, to sit below Kia’s popular mid-size Sportage.

Contrasting colour packs differentiate the X-Line from the regular Picanto range along with its 156mm ride height (an increase of 15mm over standard), larger front and rear bumpers front and ‘metal-look’ skid plates.

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The 1.0-litre turbo engine will give the X-Line a noticeable improvement in performance over its naturally-aspirated siblings, with peak power available from 4500rpm, and peak torque between 1500 and 4500 rpm.

The X-Line will accelerate from 0-100km/h in 10.1 seconds, with a claimed fuel efficiency of 4.5L/100km (combined).

The high-riding Picanto will ride on 16-inch alloy wheels, and have the same interior features as standard models, including the 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display with smart-phone mirroring.

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There is no word on transmissions for the X-Line, however it’s GT sibling with the same engine is only available with a five-speed manual.

The same 1.0-litre is available in the Rio in Europe in either six-speed automatic or five-speed manual guise.

The tiny crossover hatch could do OK here, though a Kia Australia spokesperson confirmed to WhichCar it is unlikely the X-Line will be sold on our shores.