KIA Motors Australia (KMAu) has confirmed the long-awaited Niro low-emission SUV will launch in Australia within the second quarter of 2021, following a advertising and marketing marketing campaign on the Australian Open tennis event.
Chatting with native media on the launch of the new-generation Carnival folks mover, KMAu product planning basic supervisor Roland Rivero confirmed the Niro might be launched later this yr, with a spread of powertrains to be provided.
When requested about different powertrains, Mr Rivero confirmed there could be extra on the best way following the introduction of the hybrid Sorento giant SUV variants within the first quarter.
“On the Sorento launch we introduced there have been hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants to return – plug-in might be first on this quarter, and later this yr we’ll have a hybrid Sorento additionally becoming a member of the fold,” he stated.
“On prime of that by way of EV, I’m happy to announce there might be a fifth SUV becoming a member of our vary, no surprises it is going to be the Niro – and we’ll be getting that at its mid-life PE (product enhancement) stage additionally, and it is going to be out there in hybrid, plug-in hybrid in addition to EV, so all three powertrains might be made out there to us.”
Mr Rivero added the Australian Open tennis event, of which Kia has been the foremost sponsor for years, could be used to advertise the automotive whereas additionally ferrying gamers and officers.
“We must always see them as a part of the Automobiles In Form (participant/official transport) fleet for the Australian Open, and we’re readying our supplier community as we communicate by way of coaching and infrastructure, and in quarter two you need to see prospects capable of get them organized,” he stated.
As talked about, the Niro might be provided in three totally different flavours of powertrain – hybrid (the primary model of the Niro launched globally in 2017), plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and full electrical, marking the primary EV from Kia to be offered in Australia.
The three-pronged powertrain technique mirrors that of sibling firm Hyundai and its Ioniq sedan vary which will also be had with hybrid, PHEV or EV choices.
KMAu has not but indicated whether or not all three variations could be out there from launch, or whether or not there might be a gradual rollout.
It may be anticipated the Niro – related in dimension to the Seltos small SUV – could have the EV as its costliest variant.
The parallel hybrid Niro groups a 76kW 1.6-litre petrol engine with a 32kW electrical motor and 1.6kWh lithium-ion battery producing a mixed 108kW/264Nm, whereas sipping a mean of 4.7L/100km of gasoline.
The PHEV makes use of the identical petrol engine because the hybrid, however employs a bigger 8.9kWh battery and 45kW/169Nm electrical motor, nonetheless regardless of the addition of the stronger motor it has the identical mixed output because the hybrid.
The principle benefit is its all-electric driving vary of as much as 42km, and its mixed gasoline consumption which might attain as little as 2.2L/100km.
Lastly, the EV employs a 64kWh battery (just like the Hyundai Kona) permitting for a substantial 485km of driving vary, whereas producing 150kW/395Nm.
With related dimension and specs to the Kona Electrical, punters ought to anticipate to see the Niro EV priced across the $60,000 mark.
KMAu added that the launch plans for the Niro wouldn’t be affected if the Australian Open had been to be cancelled or rescheduled as a result of COVID-19 pandemic.
Extra particulars together with native pricing and specification might be revealed nearer to the Niro’s launch later within the yr.
