The Kia Picanto has been given a crossover-inspired makeover and the result is the rougher-looking Picanto X-Line.

Set to be revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show on September 12th, the X-Line variant aims to broaden the appeal of the Picanto – Kia’s daintiest car – by introducing a more rugged look with contrast colour packs, metal-look skid plates, more imposing SUV-style bumpers and 15mm more ground clearance (now 156mm) to give the driver a clearer view of the road ahead.

The X-Line is the most powerful Picanto yet, with a single-litre T-GDI engine under the bonnet producing 98bhp at 4,500rpm and 172Nm of torque from 1,500 to 4,000rpm. As a result, the Picanto X-Line can get up to 62mph from a standstill in 10.1 seconds.

Kia launched an all-new fourth-generation Picanto at the start of this year and it has sold better than any of its predecessors, with sales up by 23 per cent in the first half of 2017, amounting to more than 31,000 units shifted.

Michael Cole, Chief Operating Officer for Kia Motors Europe, commented: “Globally, it is one of our best-selling vehicles; the all-new X-Line will add to that momentum.”

The Picanto X-Line comes with plenty of kit to back up its SUV-esque aspirations. Riding on 16-inch aluminium alloy wheels, the car comes with LED daytime running lights and fog lamps, shark-fin antenna, and keyless entry.

Inside, the cabin centres around a large seven-inch ‘floating’ touchscreen with 3D maps, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for full smartphone integration.

You’ll also find a sporty D-cut steering wheel, rear-view parking camera, wireless smartphone charger and USB port as standard when the Picanto X-Line goes on sale in October.

Ben Robb, brand manager at The Fuelcard People, adds: “The Picanto has proven its worth as a quality and reliable city car and this X-Line model sees it adopt modern SUV traits that are very hip right now.”