Kia’s popular Niro crossover has been redesigned from the ground up, uses many recycled materials in the interior and we think is a great looker all round. It will be available as a hybrid electric (HEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) or battery electric vehicle (BEV).
At 4,420mm long, 1,825mm wide and up to 1,570 high, the clean-sheet redesign of the new Niro is formulated on Kia’s third-generation ‘K-platform’. The 2,720mm wheelbase and enhanced design proportions inside the cabin offers occupants with class-leading interior space and storage capacity.
Kia says the K-platform architecture applies a multi-load pass structure for optimal front crash performance, facilitates improvements in the basic suspension and steering and enhances design proportions and interior space.
The new Niro electric vehicle (EV) features a 64.8kWh battery that delivers up to 288 miles (463km) of range and provides 150kW of power with 255Nm of instant torque. It has a top speed of 104mph (167kph) and will hit 0-62mph (0-100kph) in 7.8 seconds.
The battery can be charged from 10-80 per cent takes just 43 minutes with a suitable DC rapid charger. When temperatures are low, the system in Niro EV uses navigation-based battery conditioning to pre-heat the battery when a charge point is selected as a destination, which helps shorten charge times and secure battery performance.
Jason Jeong, President of Kia Europe, said, “Kia has redesigned Niro to provide people with a clearer path to clean mobility. The range of eco-friendly powertrains will encourage even the most hesitant customers to make the switch to more sustainable forms of movement.
“The all-new Niro will offer existing customers the Kia heritage they value while also broadening the brand’s appeal to new environmentally-conscious buyers.”
Inside the Niro, sustainable elements produce an environmentally considerate interior full of natural and tactile finishes. The headlining is made from recycled wallpaper, door panels are finished with VOC free paint and the PU vegan leather seat coverings contain Tencel from Eucalyptus trees. Plus, the cargo screen is knitted material made of 75 percent recycled fibres.
The new Niro not only offers generous passenger space but provides 475 litres of boot space and an additional 20 litres in the frunk. With the rear seats folded, cargo space increased to 1,392 litres for the all-electric version.
The redesigned Niro is part of Kia’s growing eco-friendly line-up, which will include 14 BEV models by 2027.
