2012 Kia Picanto: HD Photo Gallery and Official Brochure of South Korean Model

As pointed out by a Carscoop reader in a previous post, Kia has released images of the domestic market version of its Picanto city car, which will be sold as the Morning in South Korea. From the looks of it, there won't be any notable differences between the local and European market specification Picanto, which will receive its world premiere at the Geneva Salon in the beginning of March. You can read our previous post for more details including the powertrain options here. For the high resolution image gallery and the official brochure of the KDM Morning, follow the jump below.

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All-New Kia Picanto Revealed Ahead of Geneva Salon Debut

Following the release of two teaser sketches in December, Kia today published real-life photos of its second generation Picanto city car, which is set to debut at this year’s Geneva Motor Show in March. The 2011 Picanto will be offered in two body styles and with four all-new engines.

Kia’s Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer, said, “In profile, the new Picanto features significant sculpting and a very prominent rising character line. The result is a layering of light and shadow and this breaks up the height, giving the car a more sure-footed stance”.

Details are scarce right now, but the automaker claims the car has grown in length and has a longer wheelbase, which should improve interior space. Unlike the outgoing model which is available exclusively as a five-door hatchback, the new Picanto will be offered in both 5-door and 3-door body styles (at least in Europe).

The engine range will comprise of 1.0 and 1.2-liter gasoline engines, while Kia will also offer LPG, bi-fuel and flex-fuel variations, depending on local market requirements.

Kia has not given the exact timing of the car's arrival in European markets, but buyers should expect to see the new Picanto in showrooms in the second-half of the year.

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Kia Sketches New Picanto City Car Ahead of Geneva Show Debut

We've known for a while now that Kia is preparing a successor to its Picanto city car, but today, the South Korean automaker came out with a pair of official renderings and a short announcement which said the small hatchback will get its world premiere at the Geneva International Motor Show in March 2011 and go on sale in Europe in late Spring.

Kia added that the Picanto has been penned by the firm's European design team based in Frankfurt, Germany, under the direction of Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer, and that it will bring "confidence, solidity and maturity to the A-segment". No other details were released.

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KIA UK Presents Black and White Editions of Picanto, Rio and Soul

Two new special editions named Domino and Echo that both play on black and white color schemes are joining Kia's UK-market lineup. The Domino special edition is available on the Picanto and Rio superminis, while the Echo is offered on the Soul crossover.

Starting with Kia's supermini models, the Picanto Domino is motivated by a 1.1-litre petrol engine hooked up to either a manual or automatic transmission, while the Rio Domino is available with a 1.4-litre petrol or 1.5-litre CRDi diesel engine. Both the Rio and Picanto Domino editions are available in white or optional black metallic paint. Buyers can also opt for a contrasting black or white stripe covering the bumpers, mirrors and door handles.

Standard features include front fog lights, air-conditioning, iPod connectivity, remote central locking, leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear-knob and Electronic Stability Control, as well as rear electric windows on the Rio.

Prices start from £7,995 OTR for the Picanto Domino and from £9,295 OTR for the Rio Domino.

Following on from the Burner, Shaker and Samba, the Soul Echo is the latest special edition version of Kia's small crossover. It is offered in a choice of two colors - Clear White or Quartz Black metallic - with contrasting features.

In particular, the white Echo gets black 18-inch alloy wheels, black high-gloss door mirrors and a corresponding black sports stripe, while the black Echo features white 18-inch alloys, white high-gloss door mirrors and a sports stripe in white.

Interior upgrades include a full black leather interior and high-gloss black dashboard fascia and uprated audio system with and iPod connectivity, as well as standard parking sensors, air conditioning and privacy glass.

The Soul Echo is offered with a choice of 1.6-litre petrol or 1.6-litre CRDi diesel engines, with prices starting from £13,995 OTR.