THE Kia Niro has been on sale in Australia for lower than 12 months, however the Korean model has pulled the covers off an all-new mannequin on the Seoul Mobility Present.
Due in Australia in mid-2022, the small SUV is endowed with hanging seems to be that reference the quirky HabaNiro idea from 2019 and it’ll once more be provided in hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery-electric configurations.
Though pricing and specs for Down Underneath have but to be revealed, the Niro is predicted to rival the upcoming Haval Jolion Hybrid, Hyundai Kona Electrical (which shares its powertrain with the Niro), in addition to the forthcoming Skoda Enyaq iV.
The present Kia Niro is priced from $39,990 to $70,990 (excluding on-road prices).
Kia says the second-gen Niro is “fully new”, however, surprisingly, it’s not based mostly on the model’s E-GMP platform. As a substitute, the mannequin utilises an evolution of the present Niro’s structure, with electrical fashions powered by a single 150kW/395Nm electrical motor (mated with a 64-kWh lithium-ion battery) that drives the entrance wheels.
The present all-electric Niro affords an optimum driving vary of 455km (WLTP), which is 29km fewer than the declare for the Kona EV. The petrol-electric hybrid includes a 1.56kWh lithium-ion battery, a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine (77kW/147Nm) and a single electrical motor (32kW/170Nm) mated with a six-speed dual-clutch automated transmission. The Niro hybrid is claimed to devour 3.8L/100km.
The plug-in hybrid Niro variant, in the meantime, utilises a bigger 8.9-kWh battery pack and 45kW/170Nm single electrical motor to supply a mixed system output determine of 104kW/265Nm. The Niro PHEV is claimed to devour as little as 1.3L/100km of petrol in mixed working and may journey as much as 58km on electrical energy alone.
The revised hybrid and PHEV powertrains will scour knowledge from the on-board sat nav system to modify between petrol and electrical energy the place applicable, Kia says, the system known as Greenzone Drive Mode.
Stylistically, the extra aerodynamic next-gen Niro incorporates the Tiger Face frontal design and two-tone C-pillars of the HabaNiro idea to nice impact. The C-pillars additionally home vertically stacked tail-lights in a Boomerang form (much like the entrance DRLs of the all-new Sportage). Up entrance, the LED headlights and DRLs (the latter are mentioned to imitate a human heartbeat when in operation) are housed in separate pods.
Electrical variations are additional differentiated by a small central door within the entrance bumper, which homes the charging socket.
Inside, the brand new Niro options opposing horizontal and diagonal design motifs that Kia says “create a relaxing but irregular aesthetic”. The dashboard is dominated by a widescreen instrument panel and infotainment array, whereas a smaller touchscreen supplies entry to the local weather management and HVAC features. Bodily buttons and a rotary-style drive selector are relegated to the uneven centre console.
In step with its eco-savvy picture, Kia has utilised various recycled and environmentally pleasant supplies within the new Niro’s cabin. The headlining is made “from outdated wallpaper”, the light-weight seats incorporate fibres from eucalyptus leaves and the paint on the door playing cards is reportedly completely freed from petrochemicals.
Kia Australia will define specification and pricing particulars of the brand new Niro nearer to the mannequin’s native launch.
