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I know what you're thinking. You're thinking "I really need a small, affordable, frugal car for driving and parking in town, but I want people to think that I'm rugged and outdoors-y and that I might actually have bought a Hummer...' If you do think like this, then Kia has an answer to your deluded, confused prayers - the Kia Picanto X-Line.
The X-Line, which will be launched at the Frankfurt motor show on the 12th of September, takes Kia's Picanto small car, and adds some 4x4-style butchness to it. The X-Line gets more imposing-looking, SUV-style (says Kia) bumpers, and a 'metal-look' skidplate under the nose. There's the de rigueur black cladding on the wheelarches, and lime-green trim (unique to the model) around the foglight surrounds.
There are some proper mechanical changes too, although you won't get a locking diff and a winch, if that's what you're thinking. The ride height has been raised by 15mm compared to the standard Picanto, and for the first time in the Picanto range, you can now have the 1.0-litre T-GDI three-cylinder turbo petrol engine. That produces 100hp, and 172Nm of torque, which should make the Picanto X-Line at least reasonably lively to drive. 0-100km/h is done in 10.1 seconds, while claimed fuel consumption is 4.5 litres/100km (that's 62mpg) and has Co2 emissions of 104g/km.
As standard, the X-Line will come with 16-inch aluminium alloy wheels, aluminium pedals, LED daytime running lights and fog lamps, shark-fin antenna, and keyless entry. The large seven-inch 'floating' touchscreen houses navigation with 3D maps, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for full smartphone integration. A rear-view parking camera and wireless smartphone charger and USB port are also available as options. Kia also claims that the Picanto has the largest boot in its class (255 litres, expanding to 1,010 litres with the rear seats folded).
Michael Cole, Chief Operating Officer for Kia Motors Europe, commented: "We launched the new Picanto in Europe earlier this year and it is already outselling its predecessor. Year-on-year, Picanto sales in the first half of 2017 grew 23 per cent to 31,827 units, and globally it is one of our best-selling vehicles. The all-new X-Line will add to that momentum."