THE first iteration of the Niro received a lukewarm reception when it arrived right here final 12 months, however the mannequin was proper on the finish of its lifecycle. Nonetheless, Kia Australia has introduced that the arrival of the mannequin’s successor – the box-fresh, second-gen Niro – is imminent.
Attributable to go on sale by the top of this month (June), the Niro follows an analogous format to that of its predecessor, albeit with one key distinction: the absence of a plug-in hybrid variant.
The outgoing Niro provided consumers a selection between hybrid, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and battery electrical powertrains, which made it pretty distinctive (solely the Hyundai Ioniq matched that degree of vary variety within the mainstream market). Nonetheless, very restricted uptake of the PHEV variant (its proportion of Niro gross sales is known to be within the single-digit realm), despatched Kia Australia’s product planners a transparent message – Australians simply aren’t within the PHEV proposition when typical hybrid and pure EV variations are additionally on the desk.
Kia has however taken the precaution of homologating the Niro PHEV anyway – it’s retaining that variant in its again pocket within the occasion that client demand for the plug-in small SUV picks up appreciably. At launch although, solely two powertrains will likely be accessible.
The road-up begins with the traditional hybrid, which Kia markets because the Hybrid Electrical possibility. It’s powered by a 77kW/144Nm 1.6-litre direct-injection petrol engine that drives the entrance wheels in live performance with a 32kW permanent-magnet synchronous electrical motor and six-speed dual-clutch automated transmission. The mixed output is 104kW and 265Nm and, whereas these numbers are an identical to these of the first-gen Niro, Kia claims that mechanical refinements and weight discount have improved the effectivity of the package deal.
Nonetheless, claimed gasoline economic system for the hybrid is 4.0 L/100km – 0.2 L/100km up on the mannequin it replaces. It’s unclear why that’s the case, however a rise in general weight or variations within the wheel and tyre package deal seem to be possible causes. Full specs received’t be revealed till launch, however the brand new Niro is considerably longer and wider than earlier than.
For the absolutely electrical possibility, it’s an analogous story of mechanical carry-over. A 64.8kWh lithium-ion battery provides energy to a single 150kW electrical motor, which drives the entrance wheels by a single-ratio discount gear. Most torque is listed as simply 255N , which is considerably lower than the 395Nm provided by the outgoing battery-electric Niro, whereas peak vary on a single cost is a claimed 460 kilometres – 5km greater than the previous automotive.
The dearth of main adjustments below the pores and skin will not be a shock. Not like the Kia EV6, which is constructed by itself devoted electrical structure (dubbed the Electrical World Modular Platform), the Niro utilises a legacy platform with the intention to accommodate its combustion engine. From the skin although, the brand new Niro appears virtually nothing just like the automotive it replaces.
The brand new-generation Niro dumps the previous automotive’s dowdy sheetmetal in favour of a futuristic aesthetic that’s highlighted by a full-width higher grille graphic and low-set gentle pods on the entrance, and a contrast-colour C-pillar and Volvo-esque vertical taillights on the rear. Not like the deeply conservative first-gen Niro, the 2023 mannequin appears dynamic and trendy.
Full specs and pricing are nonetheless below wraps, however two grades will likely be provided at launch – base S, and top-spec GT-Line, with each powertrains accessible in both grade. Customary security tools features a centre-side airbag, blind-spot help, rear cross-traffic alert, clever pace restrict help and an electrochromatic rear-view mirror on all variants.
For the Niro GT-Line, tools highlights will embody a ten.25-inch digital instrument panel, a head-up show, ventilated entrance seats, a heated steering wheel, distant parking help, powered tailgate, in addition to a wi-fi cellphone charging pad. On the EV GT-Line, an electrical sunroof, 8-speaker Harmon/Kardon audio system, “Premium Rest” seat and the flexibility to energy exterior units from an built-in 240V outlet may also be normal.
The Niro may also be the primary mannequin to obtain the Kia Join telematics system on this nation. Offering stay information for climate, site visitors, the proximity of charging stations and extra, Kia Join may also present a cellphone app interface for drivers to remotely begin the automotive, activate local weather management, add navigation locations, examine on car standing and even allow a valet mode to maintain tabs on their automotive when one other particular person is driving it. This know-how is predicted to trickle by to the remainder of Kia’s product portfolio.
Crucially, the Niro arrives at a time the place EV headwinds look like turning into tailwinds on this nation… The latest election of the Labour Social gathering has given Kia Australia’s prime brass some hope that it may possibly lastly leverage a bonus within the EV area:
“What it means is that we’ve received at the least a little bit of a nationwide technique now, so I applaud that – I believe it’d be far-reaching for firms like ours,” Kia Australia’s chief working officer Damien Meredith stated in a media briefing.
“We are able to report again to move workplace and say: ‘Australia’s received a nationwide technique now and a authorities that’s excited by EVs and the infrastructure of EVs. Let’s begin getting extra fashions and extra quantity into Australia’. That’s what we’re going to be speaking about.”
Regardless of its ageing underpinnings, the Niro will likely be a key a part of Kia’s EV technique. The EV variant is predicted to proceed to take a seat slightly below its extra superior sister, the EV6, price-wise.
