Kia's new Picanto is now available as a three-door version for the first time since the model was introduced in 2004.

The three-door will be available with the same engines as the five-door model, including a 1.0-litre with CO2 emissions of 99g/km (making it VED and Congestion Charge exempt) and a combined fuel economy of 67.3mpg. A 1.25-litre will also be available with CO2 emissions as low as 100g/km and a combined fuel economy of up to 65.7mpg.

As standard all models will come with a trip computer, height-adjustable seats, tilt-adjustable steering column and electric power steering. In car entertainment on the base models comes from an RDS radio and CD player with MP3 compatibility.

Kia’s EcoDynamics fuel-saving technology, an Intelligent Stop and Go engine stop/start system, is available with the 1.25 engine.

In the UK five-door models of Picanto sized cars are only marginally more popular than three-doors. The three-door Picanto will be on sale from September with on-the-road prices from £7,795.

Author: Andrew Brady