KIA Picanto Fuel Efficient in DOE Test

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KIA Motors’ Picanto, which earlier registered a fuel consumption of 26.2 kilometers per liter based on a field test conducted by the car company on a manual transmission with two passengers onboard at a constant speed of 60 kph, proved anew that it is a gas miser at the recently concluded Department of Energy (DOE)-sponsored fuel economy run for passenger cars and light duty vehicles.

The Picanto registered a respectable fuel efficiency rating of 20.8 kilometers on a liter of gas despite the adverse climatic and poor road conditions during the actual run. The DOE test occurred at the height of Typoon Caloy where trees felled by the tropical cyclone’s howling winds littered the streets. The test driver had to slow down and weave through various road obstructions every now and then, conditions not really conductive to such kinds of test.

“The  Picanto could have done better,” says Apollo ‘Bong’ Rosal, Columbian Autocar Corporation’s national service manager. “Conditions were very bad at that time that the Picanto test driver had to literally zigzag his way to skirt fallen trees and other road obstructions. In more hospitable conditions, I have no doubt the Picanto would have rated higher and be even more fuel efficient” he adds.

The DOE fuel efficiency test, participated in by 23 entries fielded by eight car manufacturers, was conducted to promote consumer awareness on the vehicles’ rated energy efficiency. Participating cars were fueled under tight scrutiny and where randomly selected volunteer drivers had to run through the prescribed 162.8 km. test route from DOE in Fort Bonifacio to Lipa City Hall and vice-versa.

The Picanto is KIA’s runaway bestseller in Europe. It has been voted Germany’s “most economical car” in the A segment by ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil Club) in 2005. It has likewise received accolade and praises for its ‘kit and quality’ from UK’s Autocar, the Netherlands AutoWeek, Portugal’s Autohoje and Spain’s Car and Driver.

The Picanto has a 1.1-liter, EFI 12-valve, 4 cylinder engine displacement. Its Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) functionality and styling has been based on a design theme that is fun and exciting, young and modern, stable and trustworthy. It has benefited from the meticulous attention of KIA Motors on safety, something that is often overlooked. A comprehensive system comprises a set of safety items such as ultra high tensile steel beams that provide an extra margin of safety against side impacts, reinforced front and rear bumbers, child safety locks on the rear doors and three-point seat belts. All this points to KIA’s state of technology engineering.

Available in eight youthful and vibrant colors clear white, lemon yellow, orange, scarlet red, liquid silver, blue diamond, samba green and cobalt blue the Picanto can be best appreciated at all KIA showrooms nationwide.

(Source: Kia Philippines Website ) 

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