2nd generation crossover
Kia presents new Niro – a trio with electric drive
The new Kia Niro has changed significantly compared to its predecessor
©Kia
Kia is launching its second-generation crossover Niro this summer. The car appears significantly revised and is available in three drive types. In addition to two hybrid models, there is also an electric model.
With the goal of pure electric mobility, it presented its new Niro model. The crossover has grown by six centimeters to 4.42 meters and the South Korean automaker has also made some changes. The Niro is also aimed at drivers who have not previously owned an electric car. In addition, Kia is again bringing a trio onto the market: a hybrid, a plug-in hybrid and an electric car.
The hybrid has a 1.6-liter petrol engine and an additional 43.5 hp electric motor. This gives it a total output of 141 hp. The purely electric drive achieves a top speed of 120 km/h. The small battery with a capacity of 1.32 kW/h is sufficient for short distances or for reversing. Kia specifies fuel consumption as an economical 4.2 liters per 100 kilometers. The luggage compartment volume is 451 liters and is therefore 15 liters more than in its predecessor. The purchase price starts at just under 31,000 euros.
The plug-in is equipped with an 84 hp electric motor and an 11.1 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery. The electric motor of the plug-in Niro, which can be recharged at a socket, should be able to drive at speeds of up to 134 km/h. Its electric range is therefore 65 kilometers. In the city, the plug-in is supposed to cover up to 84 kilometers. Compared to its predecessor, it has slightly improved its range. With a total of 183 hp, the Niro plug-in is in the middle of the Niro trio in terms of engine performance. The luggage compartment volume is the lowest here at 448 liters. In terms of price, the version starts at just under 37,000 euros. The state and the manufacturer also pay an environmental bonus of 7,177.50 euros.
The electric model, which is now called Niro EV instead of e-Niro, appears with 204 hp. Kia states an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.8 seconds. The 64.8 kWh battery is said to have a range of up to 463 kilometers – eight kilometers more than its predecessor. At an 80 kW DC charging station, the Niro EV should be able to charge from 10 to 80 percent in 45 minutes. Its predecessor needed about this time to charge from 20 to 80 percent. The purely electric version has the highest purchase price at around 40,000 euros, while the environmental bonus is also the highest at 9,570 euros. The luggage compartment volume is 475 liters in the E version.
To this end, Kia offers the Kia Charge charging service, with which Kia e-car drivers can charge at a Europe-wide charging network of over 320,000 public charging stations. In Germany there are more than 7,000 DC and around 48,000 AC charging points. In addition, Kia always grants a seven-year manufacturer’s warranty – including on the battery.
Kia Niro with new equipment
Kia promises a combination of “innovative technologies with high ease of use”. In the standard version, the new Niro has, among other things, a front collision warning system with pedestrian and bicycle detection. Depending on the version, customers also receive, among other things, a blind spot assistant with steering and braking intervention, a cross-traffic warning and a remote parking assistant. So the Niro should be able to park in and out by remote control.
In the highest equipment variant, the electric model also offers a highway assistant with lane change support and a front collision warning system that is designed to recognize cross traffic.
Externally, the Niro has become more angular and appears more dynamic than its predecessor. With regard to the interior, Kia speaks of a “holistic sustainable concept”. Accordingly, the carmaker has used recycled and environmentally friendly materials here. The headlining is made from recycled wallpaper material, the seats are made of bio-polyurethane with Tencel made from eucalyptus leaves, and the paint used on the door panels is BTX-free. The Niro has been available since Monday and will be available to customers from June.
Sources: Kia, world