Kia shows more dynamic looking Picanto

The so called “!” design study, which Kia unveiled last week at the Bologna auto show, uncovers a more sculptured and dynamic version of the carmaker's well-selling minicar. Kia also issued design sketches of the new Picanto on Tuesday. The Picanto's fresh look aims to make the car step aside in the crowded minicar segment and "is designed to break the city car mould," Kia said.

The 3200mm long, 1600mm wide glossy silver design sketch, which does not have windows or headlamps, was styled by Kia’s European design team based in Frankfurt, Germany, under the direction of Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer. Schreyer, who is best known for drawing the original Audi TT coupe, spent more than 20 years with Volkswagen and Audi before joining Kia in 2006.

Kia said the production version of the Picanto will debut in March at the Geneva auto show and will go on sale shortly afterward.

With 40,934 sales through 10 months, down from 48,011 during the same period last year, the Picanto is Kia's No. 2 seller in Europe after the Cee'd compact model, according to market reseacher JATO Dynamics.