Just under three years ago Kia took the wraps off its new age Niro Crossover Concept which featured butterfly doors and minimal interior in an attempt to draw customers towards the brand image. Now the South Korean manufacturer has decided to make it an official production car while keeping the original nameplate.
Unfortunately the Niro has lost its extreme design cues such as the wacky doors and triangular taillamps but some of the original design remains. The intention of the Niro, however has been shifted more towards the idea of a greener society as it will be the brand’s first hybrid utility vehicle. It will feature the new eco-car platform from the EcoDynamics division with possibilities of a plug-in hybrid variant to be introduced in the near future.
The Niro will make use of the new Kappa 1.6-liter GDI four-cylinder engine that has been designed specifically to work with the transmission-mounted electric motor to produce a power output of 109 kW and 264 N.m of torque with the help of a six-speed dual-clutch transmission driving the front wheels. The Niro claims to achieve a combined fuel consumption of 4,7 l/100km. It’s also aided by a regenerative system that draws energy from the hydraulic friction braking.
While being weight down by the 1.56-kWh Lithium Ion Polymer battery Kia has made use of advanced high strength steel with reinforcements along the A- and B-pillars and the implementation of several aluminium panels to balance out the mass. Kia seems to be obsessed with making the Niro appear to be a wolf in sheeps by being a hybrid without the cliche design or driving dynamics.
The Niro will feature the usual high-end safety features such as blind spot detection with rear cross traffic alert and lane change assist, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and autonomous emergency braking. For the hypermilers it will also be equipped with a coasting guide and predictive energy control through the new Eco-DAS system.
The Niro seems to be aimed heavily towards the American market so it’s unclear as to whether it will reach South African shores.