Kia’s new Niro lineup will get another teammate this summer — a plug-in hybrid, which the Korean automaker revealed today at the Geneva Motor Show.
The PHEV, offered first in Europe, utilizes a 1.6-liter direct-injection four-cylinder, electric motor and 8.9 kWh lithium-polymer battery pack to attain its green credentials. Kia claims the new hardware will deliver more than 35 miles of all-electric range.
The battery pack, a step up from the 1.56 kWh battery used in the regular hybrid, powers a 44.5 kW electric motor. Paired with the 104-horsepower GDI engine, the subcompact crossover has a total output of 139 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque.
A six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission helps the greenest Niro achieve 62 miles per hour in 10.8 seconds, but it’s doubtful that performance will be a high priority for buyers.
The plug-in hybrid will feature Eco-DAS (Driver Assistant System), which informs the driver on how to drive with maximum efficiency. Predictive Energy Control gathers information from the vehicle’s navigation and cruise control systems to tell the driver when to let off the throttle, allowing the battery to recharge through regenerative braking. It also lets you know when your gas-free range will come to an end.
Autonomous emergency braking with forward collision-avoidance assist, lane keeping assist, driver attention warning, smart cruise control, blind spot warning, and rear cross-traffic collision warning are some of the notable safety features on the PHEV.
![Kia Niro PHEV - Image: [Kia Motors America]](https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/465585.jpg)
Exterior differences are purely cosmetic. The front and rear bumper receive blue accents, along with a satin chrome grille surround, 16-inch alloy wheels, all-LED headlights, and special badging.
The blue accents continue inside, appearing on the air vents, and there is a choice of black leather or two-tone gray and black leather with blue stitching on both. An eight-inch infotainment touchscreen joins a seven-inch full-TFT instrument cluster.
While we won’t get the PHEV when it goes on sale this summer, we will see it eventually. According to Motor1, we could see it brought over as soon as October 2017. Steve Kosowski, Niro project manager, told Autoblog that it could be 2018 or later.
We also expect a Niro EV in the future.
[Source: Auto Express] [Images: Kia Motors]
Fuel economy? Price? Copy & paste?
This isn’t the ‘greenest Niro’; that will be the EV version.
De Niro to be their spokesman?
Roman emperor Nero will be the spokesman
Melissa McCarthy too chubby and thus limiting the electric range capability?
Melissa McCarthy is too busy with her Sean Spicer gig.
The only fuel efficiency figure we have is that the CO2 emissions will be less than 30g/km, no mpg numbers.
There is still no word on the price.
While the EV will presumably be “greener” it is not out yet. This makes the PHEV currently the greenest Niro.
The PHEV isn’t out yet either.
It isn’t out? You mean it hasn’t been unveiled? Oh wait, that’s what this is. DUHHHHHH
Has the EV been unveiled? No? But this HAS? Wow, this is heavy stuff, doc.
Some of you intellectuals really lack some common sense. For all your pretentious about being above those losers who don’t live where you feel they should, drive what you feel they should, work where you feel they should, and vote for who you feel they should, I’m sure they could tell the difference between a “future, one day, will be coming, down the pipe line, at a later date” hypothetical (at this point) model and one that is on the stage in the flesh at an auto show.
O_o
You see why we limit his visitors.
Want to see something crazy? Google the Porshe Cayenne and check out a 3/4 view like this. Pay attention to everything between these two cars from about the A pillar back.
“It is doubtful that performance will be a high priority to buyers”
I wish people would stop saying stuff like that. Even if you are interested in mileage as your first priority, who doesn’t like good performance? Same with lousy handling hybrids like the Prius. I want my efficiency and a high fun-to-drive quotient.
Honda built Hybrids with manuals, they handled good (compared to a Prius lol) even one that was a two seater sporty little hatch. Everyone p¡§§ed on them.
Ford’s C-Max handles well. But a Miata or Mustang it is not.
I would personally choose a Fiesta EcoBoost 1.0L for a fun to drive gas saving wonder. Pretty good MPG, not as much as a Hybrid but it’s got personality and character in spades.
I wish our managing editor would give us an update on his.
The Prius sells exceedingly well for a car that handles no better than a golf cart.
I have to ask though… who’s going to bother to charge at home for a paltry 35 miles… I mean…
Add TTAC to the list of car sites which has bought into “the Kia Niro is a crossover” fallacy.