Kia Niro
The Kia Niro is a hybrid subcompact crossover manufactured by Kia Motors since 2016. A plug in version was launched in the United Kingdom in the end of 2017, and in the United States in the beginning of 2018,[2][3] with an electric version launched in 2018.[4][5]
Kia Niro (DE) (MY) | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Manufacturer | Kia Motors |
Production | 2016–present |
Model years | 2017–present |
Assembly | South Korea: Hwaseong, Gyeonggi (Hwaseong Plant)[1] |
Designer | Peter Schreyer |
Body and chassis | |
Class | Subcompact crossover SUV |
Body style | 5-door SUV |
Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel-drive |
Related | Kia KX3 Hyundai Ioniq |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 1.6 L Kappa II I4 (104 hp) |
Electric motor | 43 hp HEV / 60 PHEV / 201 EV |
Transmission | 6-speed dual-clutch |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 2,700 mm (106.3 in) |
Length | 4,355 mm (171.5 in) |
Width | 1,805 mm (71.1 in) |
Height | 1,545 mm (60.8 in) |
Curb weight | 1,409–1,434 kg (3,106–3,161 lb) |
Development
Concept (2013)
The Kia Niro concept debuted at the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show. The car, designed almost entirely by Peter Schreyer at Kia's Frankfurt studio, is a sporty three door subcompact crossover, with butterfly doors that open into the roof panel.[6]
The front wheels are powered by the 1.6 litre Gamma inline-4 producing 160 hp (119 kW) mated with a seven speed rotary-shifted dual-clutch transmission, while a 45 hp electric hybrid system powers the rear wheels when driving in rougher road conditions.[7][8]
KX–3 Concept
The Kia KX–3 concept followed at the November 2014 Guangzhou Auto Show. Inspired by the earlier Niro concept, it has grown larger in size into a compact SUV, measuring 167.71 inches (4,260 mm) long and 69.48 inches (1,765 mm) wide. A turbocharged 1.6 litre engine delivers power to all four wheels via a seven speed dual clutch transmission.[9]
Production version
The 2017 Kia Niro was unveiled at the 2016 Chicago Auto Show. A subcompact hybrid utility vehicle, the model's exterior design is marketed as "un hybrid",[10] saying it is more conventional than other hybrid cars.[11]
The Niro uses a hybrid powertrain producing altogether 139 hp, and returns a fuel economy of 43 to 50 miles per US gallon (5.5 to 4.7 L/100 km) by also using lightweight materials, including high strength steel and aluminium.[12][13] Its battery has a capacity of 1.56 kWh, and a weight of 33 kg.
A plug in version is offered as well since September 2018, featuring an 8.9 kWh battery.[14][15] The Kia Niro and Niro Plug in Hybrid form part of Kia hybrid range, that also includes the Optima Plug-in Hybrid and Optima Sportswagon Plug-in Hybrid.[16] The Kia Niro went on sale in South Korea on 31 March 2016.[17] In its first month on sale, the Niro hit an all time sales record in the green car market in South Korea, even beating the Hyundai Ioniq.[18]
- MY17–19 (rear view)
- MY20 Facelift (Asia and Europe ver.)
- MY18 front view Plug in Hybrid (PHEV)
- MY18 view Plug in Hybrid (PHEV)
Engine
Engine Name | Trim | Displacement (bore x stroke) | Power@rpm, Torque@rpm | Compression ratio (:1) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Kappa II GDi HEV | FE, LX, EX, Touring | 1,579 cc (96.4 cu in) (72.0 mm × 97.0 mm (2.83 in × 3.82 in)) | 104 hp (78 kW; 105 PS)@5700, 109 lb⋅ft (148 N⋅m)@4000 | 13:1 |
electric motor | 43 hp (32 kW; 44 PS)1850–2500, 125 lb⋅ft (169 N⋅m)@0–1800 | na | ||
combined | 139 hp (104 kW; 141 PS)@5700, 195 lb⋅ft (264 N⋅m)@4000 | 13:1 |
Kia Niro EV (electric version)
Kia Niro EV | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Manufacturer | Kia Motors |
Production | 2018–present |
Model years | 2018–present |
Body and chassis | |
Class | Compact car |
Body style | 5-door hatchback |
Related | Hyundai Ioniq EV; Hyundai Kona Electric; Kia Soul EV |
Powertrain | |
Electric motor | 100 kW (130 hp) (39.2kWh) 150 kW (200 hp) (64kWh) |
Transmission | direct drive reduction gear |
Hybrid drivetrain | front-wheel drive |
Battery | 64 kWh / 39.2 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery (Kona Electric) 1.56 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery (Niro EV) |
Electric range | 288 km (179 mi) (39.2kWh) 455 km (283 mi) (64kWh) |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 2,700 mm (106.3 in) |
Length | 4,375 mm (172.2 in) |
Width | 1,805 mm (71.1 in) |
Height | 1,560 mm (61.4 in) |
Curb weight | 1,748 kg (3,854 lb) |
An all electric version of the Niro was launched in 2018 at International Electric Vehicle Expo in Korea, named Niro EV in Asia and North America and e-Niro in Europe.
It shares powertrain and battery configuration with the Hyundai Kona Electric. Niro EV is available in two battery versions: 39,2 kWh and 64 kWh. The batteries are liquid-cooled lithium ion polymer. Batteries are manufactured/supplied by SK Innovation, which is different than the Kona Electric.
The 39,2 kWh version is propelled by 100 kW (134 hp) permanent-magnet electric motor with 395 Nm (291 lb-ft) of torque and can travel up to 288 km (179 mi) on one charge according to WLTP, while the 64 kWh version offers 455 km (283 mi) of WLTP range and has a more powerful 150 kW (201 hp) motor producing the same amount of torque.[19] Both cars are front-wheel drive. In the US, the Niro EV has an official EPA range of 239 miles on a full charge.
Both versions have a CCS charge port which enables DC fast charging at up to 100 kW. The on board charger power is 7.2 kW or optionally 11 kW.
- Kia Niro EV rear
Safety
- Euro NCAP
Euro NCAP test results for a LHD variant on a registration from 2016:[20]
Test | Score | Points |
Overall: | ||
Adult occupant: | 83% | 31.8 |
Child occupant: | 80% | 39.6 |
Pedestrian: | 57% | 24.3 |
Safety assist: | 59% | 7.1 |
2016 Guinness World Record
In December 2016, the Niro officially received a Guinness World Records title for the lowest fuel consumption by a hybrid vehicle, as it traveled from Los Angeles to New York City with a fuel consumption record of 76.6 mpg.[21] This record had last been held by the Kia Optima Hybrid in 2011, with a fuel consumption average of 64.55 mpg.[22]
Reception
Popular Mechanics named the 2019 Kia Niro EV as its 2019 Car of the Year, praising it for its normal looks, 239 miles range, and that it can use Volkswagen Group of America's Electrify America chargers to allow the car to be used on long car trips.[23]
Sales
Calendar year | United States[24] |
---|---|
2017 | 27,237 |
2018 | 28,232 |
2019 | 24,467 |
References
- http://pr.kia.com/en/now/tour/global-plant/hwaseong-plant.do. Retrieved 2017-02-06. Missing or empty
|title=
(help) - Szymkowski, Sean (2017-09-07). "2018 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid goes on sale in UK". Green Car Reports. Retrieved 2018-03-16.
- Wheeler, Steve (2018-02-23). "2018 Kia Niro". The Advocate. Retrieved 2018-03-16.
- "2018 Kia Niro EV spied | CarAdvice". CarAdvice.com. Retrieved 2017-11-11.
- "Electric Hyundai Kona, Kia Niro production to rise again: report". Green Car Reports. Retrieved 2017-11-11.
- Meiners, Jens (August 29, 2013). "Kia Niro Concept". Car and Driver. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
- Cupler, Justin (August 9, 2013). "2013 Kia Niro Concept". Top Speed. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
- "2013 Niro Concept". Kia. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
- Garlitos, Kirby (November 21, 2014). "2014 Kia KX3 Concept". Top Speed. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
- Joseph, Noah (February 11, 2014). "Kia Niro crossover is the company's first dedicated hybrid". Autoblog. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
- McCormick, John (February 11, 2014). "Green Day For Kia Niro, Optima Plug-In Hybrid". Forbes. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
- Wendler, Andrew (February 11, 2016). "2017 Kia Niro Hybrid Debuts, Spearheading New Green Lineup". Car and Driver. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
- "2017 Kia Niro Hybrid Touring Review". Automoblog.net. February 23, 2017. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
- Halvorson, Bengt. "2018 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid". Car and Driver. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
- Florea, Ciprian (February 11, 2016). "2017 Kia Niro". Top Speed. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
- "Kia Hybrid Cars | Optima & Niro PHEV". www.brayleys.co.uk. Retrieved 2017-08-14.
- "Kia Niro Officially Launched in Korea - Kia Niro Forums". www.niroforums.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-06-02.
- Park, Chang-young (2016-05-09). "Kia Motors' Niro hits record high in monthly sales - Pulse by Maeil Business News Korea". pulsenews.co.kr. Retrieved 2018-03-16.
- "Kia Niro EV Long-range specs, photos, price, offers and incentives". EV Compare.io. Archived from the original on 2019-04-18. Retrieved 2019-04-22.
- "Kia Niro". Euro NCAP. Retrieved August 11, 2017.
- Uceda, Erick (December 21, 2016). "2017 Kia Niro Sets Guinness World Records' Title for Lowest Fuel Consumption by a Hybrid Vehicle". The Korean Car Blog. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
- Palermo, Nick (July 2013). "Volkswagen Passat TDI Sets World Record for Fuel Economy". Autotrader. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
- Dyer, Ezra (April 16, 2019). "The 2019 Popular Mechanics Automotive Excellence Awards". Popular Mechanics.
- https://www.kiamedia.com/us/en/sales