CAR buyers have long enjoyed treating themselves to ‘limited edition’ versions of popular (and sometimes not so popular) models, which generally involve manufacturers chucking on a few desirable options and/or extra trim pieces and slapping a distinctive decal on the tailgate in an effort to boost sales.
Keen to maintain its continued growth in the UK car market, Korean marque Kia has just created nice new special editions of its already well-regarded Picanto, Stonic and Sportage models.
On sale now, the new Shadow editions are based on Kia’s existing well-appointed 3 trim package, adding new styling features including exclusive interior colours and eye-catching paint options.
Here’s what’s on offer:
PICANTO SHADOW
Priced from (OTR): £18,045 (manual), £18,745 (Automated Manual Transmission)
Currently celebrating its 20th anniversary in the UK market, Kia’s recently facelifted best-seller - which surpassed 250,000 UK sales last year - can now be had in Shadow edition form for just an extra £500 more than the standard 3 model.
In addition to 3 trim goodies like heated front seats and steering wheel, automatic air conditioning, wireless smartphone charger and keyless entry and start, the Picanto Shadow also comes equipped with:
- A 1.2-litre, 77bhp engine, available in both manual and Automated Manual Transmission
- Adventurous Green interior
- Choice of premium paints: Adventurous Green, Astro Grey or Midnight Black
STONIC SHADOW
Priced from (OTR): £22,995 (manual), £23,995 (automatic)
The Stonic Shadow is the first special edition for Kia’s plucky B-segment SUV since 2022. In addition to standard 3 trim features like LED bi-function projection headlights, black faux-leather upholstery and rain-sensing front wipers, the Shadow edition comes equipped with:
- New 17-inch grey alloys, unique to the Shadow edition
- Choice of premium exterior paint colours: Midnight Black, Astro Grey and new to the Stonic range Smokey Blue
- Blue interior pack: contrast blue stitching on seats, steering wheel and blue elements on centre console
SPORTAGE SHADOW
Priced from: £36,485 (OTR)
Kia’s ever-popular Sportage was the third best-selling car in the UK for the first quarter of 2024 and the new Shadow edition should help ensure it performs just as strongly in Q2.
Indeed, in addition to the Sportage’s sales success here, it’s also Kia’s most popular vehicle throughout Europe and the rest of the world. It’s available with a choice of petrol, mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains – but, perhaps in an effort to encourage customers to choose the more environmentally friendly options, the new Shadow trim is exclusive to hybrid Sportage models.
Best of all, you can opt to make your Sportage a Shadow edition at no extra cost to the existing 3 trim, which already includes desirable extras like electrically adjustable heated seats, a heated steering wheel, smart cruise control and keyless entry.
The Sportage Shadow comes equipped with:
- New Midnight Green interior pack
- Gloss black window and spoiler trim
- Dark chrome finish to front, rear, side and skid plate
- Three premium paint options: Experience Green, Phantom Black and new Wolf Grey, which is exclusive to the Shadow edition
All Shadow edition models are available exclusively via retail sales, with first customer deliveries expected later in the year.
As ever, the Picanto, Stonic and Sportage Shadow editions are offered with Kia’s market-leading seven-year/100,000-mile warranty as standard.
