A pair of small car is no longer a rolling waiver. The new models are chic, well-equipped and surprisingly large. An overview of what's new in the next six months.
The Kia Picanto shows how spacious it is now even in the smallest segment, which generates the maximum amount of space in the smallest of spaces. Thanks to a stretched wheelbase, the smallest car with an unchanged length of 3,60 meters offers significantly more space than last. The trunk also grows to a maximum of around 1.000 liters. From autumn, the Koreans will be supplying the vacuum units already familiar from the predecessor, a three-cylinder with 49 kW / 67 PS and a 1,2-liter four-cylinder with 62 kW / 84 PS, a turbo three-cylinder with 74 kW / 100 PS Page. The prices for the new Picanto generation start at 9.990 euros including the audio system and automatic lighting.
With the Ford Fiesta, a small classic goes into the next round. The small car bestseller from Cologne is positioned in the eighth generation, feels like half a class higher, and with almost unchanged dimensions it becomes more elegant, especially on the inside. Compared to the very playful cockpit in the predecessor, the new version looks pleasantly clear, tidy and modern. The range of model variants is expanded: in addition to a particularly luxurious Vignale edition, there is also a crossover line called "Active" for the first time. The core of the engine range remains Ford's three-cylinder petrol engine. The 1,0 liter turbo engine is again available with 74 kW / 100 PS, 92 kW / 125 PS and 103 kW / 140 PS. The base engine is a new variant without turbo, but with a displacement increased to 1,1 liters, which produces 52 kW / 70 PS or 63 kW / 85 PS. There will also be a diesel again when the Rhinelander comes onto the market in the middle of the year. The prices start at 13.000 euros.
Although the Ibiza small car was only lifted a year and a half ago, the new generation of the Spanish polo is already coming out in summer. In addition to a greatly changed exterior design that bears great similarities to its big brother Leon, generation four offers significantly different proportions thanks to a new platform. The Spaniard has grown especially in width. The Ibiza is the first small group car to use the latest MQB platform. He even leaves the VW Polo behind, the new generation of which will not start until the end of the year. In terms of equipment, the Ibiza wants to come up with options that are otherwise known from larger vehicles - such as full-LED headlights or distance control. For the petrol engines, Seat initially only offered three-cylinder engines with a displacement of 1,0 liter at the market launch in June. In addition to the basic petrol 1.0 MPI with either 48 kW / 65 PS or 55 kW / 75 PS, the turbocharged 1.0 TSI with 70 KW / 95 PS and 85 KW / 115 PS or a 66 kW / 90 PS strong natural gas version is also available.
After the Suzuki Swift was hardly distinguishable from one another in the last two generations, the latest edition of the small car appeared again in May with a more independent look. Above all, the more rounded front distinguishes it from its predecessors. Inside, it is now a bit more comfortable, especially the rear headroom has increased. The character of the five-door has changed less: it remains small, light and agile. A 1,2-liter four-cylinder with 66 kW / 90 hp, which is available with front and all-wheel drive, and a 82 kW / 112 hp 1,0-liter three-cylinder with turbocharging are available for the drive. Because the weight of the small car has dropped by 120 kilograms, both engines have an easy choice. The prices for the five-door start at around 14.500 euros.
Instead of launching the new generation, Toyota donated a second facelift to the small car Yaris after the extensive model revision in 2014 in spring 2017. This gives the Japanese a refreshed look in the summer with a more concise snout and extended equipment, which includes the Safety Sense package, which offers a collision avoidance system, lane departure warning and high beam assistant. The entry-level engine is still a 51 kW / 69 hp 1,0-liter petrol engine, and a new 1,5-liter petrol engine with 82 kW / 111 hp ranks above it. Later there will even be a sports version with 154 KW / 210 PS. The prices start at 12.540 euros. (Holger Holzer / SP-X)