GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: Kia’s Niro eco-car makes European debut
Not on Australian radar, Kia’s Niro parallel hybrid crossover is expected to go on sale on overseas markets in the second half of 2016. However other models are in the wind for introduction down-underKorean manufacturer Kia has used the Geneva Motor Show as the launch pad for the European debut of its Niro parallel hybrid crossover.
But while the new Kia may work in Euro and other global markets, it is not destined for Australia.
“The Niro is very similar in size to Sportage, so it’s hard to fit,” Kia Motors Australia
General Manager Media and Corporate Communications, Kevin Hepworth, told motoring.com.au.
“But beyond that, hybrid currently has its own challenges for our market, where the only manufacturer who has consistently persisted with hybrid has received the largest amount of government support.
“The government doesn’t offer any tax incentive, any incentive at all for any company [to create a consistent hybrid presence], he added.
“[In Australia] people don’t buy hybrids in great numbers. They’re more expensive. People are concerned about suitability to the environment. About how long batteries last and how we dispose of them.
“It’s just there are other models we’d rather get.
“One of those is a sub-compact SUV, which is what the Niro original concept was. There is a car under development. It’s certainly not in the blue sky picture – it’s a car you will see sooner rather than later.”
When quizzed on the likelihood of the new Kia arriving before the turn of the decade, Hepworth said: “I certainly hope so.”
As for the Niro, Kia Motor Europe’s Chief Operating Officer Michael Cole said: “(it) will offer buyers a compelling blend of crossover practicality with the cool, modern styling for which Kia is famous, and an efficient new hybrid powertrain to keep running costs down.
Engineered solely as a hybrid vehicle, the new Niro uses a platform that has been developed in isolation from mainstream Kia variants with a focus on environmental consciousness. The body is claimed to be stiff and strong, with 53 per cent made up of advanced high strength steel. Aluminium panels and fibre-reinforced plastics keep weight in check.
Still in the final stages of homologation, Niro has an emissions target of 89g/km of CO2.
It is powered by a 77kW/147Nm 1.6-litre direct-injection petrol engine and a 32kW electric motor in combination with a 1.56kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack weighing a scant 33kg.
A six-speed dual-clutch transmission – that offers a manual mode – sends the combined 104kW/264Nm outputs to the wheels.
Kia says its ‘Transmission-Mounted Electric Device’ is a perfect match for the DCT-hybrid combination as it allows the ‘full output of both the engine and electric motor to be transferred in parallel through the transmission’, which differs from the power-split systems used in ‘typical’ CVT-hybrid applications.
Dimensionally the Niro has a 2700mm-long wheelbase and stands 1535mm tall. Its 1800mm-wide body is said to offer class-leading headroom with 1049mm available up front and 993mm in the rear. Front legroom is stated at 1117mm, with 950mm available to rear occupants. The ‘crossover stance’ offers a slightly raised seating position and higher ground clearance than traditional hybrid hatchbacks.
The Niro’s platform has been engineered to ensure the battery pack (mounted under the second-row bench, next to the 45-litre fuel tank) does not intrude the quoted 421 litres of luggage space. Interestingly, a full-size spare can be carried underneath.
Low levels of NVH were also sought, with key attention paid to petrol engine refinement that resulted in asymmetric engine mountings and the broad use of under-bonnet insulation, as well as an acoustic shield to improve the sound of the engine ‘accelerating across the most used range of engine speeds’.
The design team worked on creating a ‘brand-new form’ for the Niro. A combined effort by
Kia design centres in California and Namyang, the slick-looking Niro bears the latest version of Kia’s tiger-nose grille and has a drag co-efficient of 0.29Cd.
Safety tech is also impressive.
With seven airbags as standard, the Niro also gets autonomous braking, smart cruise, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, blind spot detection and rear cross traffic alert.
Open the doors and you are greeted with familiar Kia touches including a horizontal dashboard designed to accentuate space, as well as the employment of soft-touch materials giving a premium feel.
Like the new Optima, the Niro will offer TomTom-based Kia Connected Services technologies as well as Android Auto functionality. Apple CarPlay will be available shortly after release.
A 7.0-inch touchscreen is standard, growing to 8.0 inches when optional satellite navigation is selected. DAB digital radio is available, as is Bluetooth smartphone and audio capability. A wireless mobile device charger will also be available.
Featuring all-independent MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension, the Niro is claimed to offer quick steering inputs as well as a comfortable ride. Benefitting from lessons learned on Optima Hybrid and the Soul EV, chassis engineers also focused on brake feel.
Towards the end of 2016, the Niro will also be offered with a tow pack with a braked capacity of 1300kg.
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