Kia reveals all-electric Niro EV at Busan Motor Show

Kia Motors has revealed its new Niro EV, with 380km driving range, at the 2018 Busan International Motor Show today in Korea. With a range of 380 kilometres, the all-electric Niro EV combines driving enjoyment with eye-catching design, and crossover utility with a zero-emissions powertrain.

In addition to the Niro EV, Kia Motors also unveiled two other vehicles – the Kia SP Concept first unveiled at the 2018 Auto Expo in India which makes its Korean debut and hints at Kia’s future SUV design vision, and the Kia Stinger GT Wide Body which was revealed at the 2017 SEMA show in Las Vegas in the USA.

The SP Concept was one of the biggest stars of the 2018 Auto Expo because not only was it the launch pad for the Kia brand in India but it also represents the first model the Korean brand will put on sale here, come 2019.

Kia calls the Niro EV an all-electric CUV (crossover utility vehicle) with intelligent packaging and high practicality. Buyers will also benefit from a range of EV-exclusive in-car technologies, new safety features, and stand-out exterior and interior design.

Han-Woo Park, president and CEO of Kia Motors Corporation, said: “The Niro EV will be Kia’s second globally-sold electric vehicle, following the immensely popular Soul EV. It demonstrates the progress Kia has made in delivering comfortable, practical and fun-to-drive vehicles that lead the way in zero-emissions driving.”

Following the Busan Motor Show, the Niro EV will go on sale in Korea during the second half of 2018, and will be introduced to other markets in due course.

Styled at Kia’s design centres in California, USA and Namyang, Korea, the Niro EV incorporates the practicality and appeal of a CUV in a sleek, aerodynamic body with subtly sculptured surfaces. The Niro EV differentiates itself from the existing Niro Hybrid and Niro Plug-in Hybrid with a series of exclusive design features.

The Niro EV rides on new five-spoke 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels with a diamond-cut two-tone finish, housing Kia’s regenerative braking system.

At the back, reshaped rear bumpers feature similar light blue highlights to those found at the front of the car, while new LED rear lights give the Niro EV its own light signature.

Modern interior with EV-specific tech and crossover utility
Inside the Niro EV, the cabin combines a modern design with generous space and technologies that complement its zero-emissions powertrain. Revealed for the first time today, the interior of the Niro EV is differentiated from other Niro models with a range of new features and design elements. The dashboard features new light blue trim, echoing that of the exterior, while the design of the center console has been simplified to accommodate the car’s shift-by-wire drive selector – Kia’s first ‘dial’-style shift knob.

The Niro EV features a new mood lighting system, with subtle lighting illuminating both the center console and the shifter. Occupants can choose from six colors – white, gray, bronze, red, green, and blue. New high-gloss black and blue trim also lines the doors of the Niro EV, further enhancing the futuristic atmosphere of the cabin.

The Niro’s 7.0-inch touchscreen HMI (human-machine interface) remains at the centre of the dashboard, but has been updated to offer a series of EV-specific features. The new infotainment system enables owners to locate nearby charging points and monitor the level of charge and range remaining from the battery pack. The instrument cluster – a 7.0-inch color-LCD display – is also unique to the Niro EV, enabling the driver to intuitively check driving and EV powertrain information on-the-move. The redesigned center console also creates more storage space at the base of the dashboard for smaller items – including a wireless smartphone charger. A lamp is integrated into the top of the dashboard, with a light displaying whether the battery pack is recharging or fully charged when plugged in. This enables owners to quickly see the car’s charging status at a glance from outside the car.

The Niro EV is 1805mm wide, 1560mm tall, 4575mm long and has a 2700mm wheelbase. It offers more cargo space – 451 litres (VDA) – than many other plug-in and electric vehicles.

380km driving range from next-gen all-electric powertrain
The Kia Niro EV employs a next-generation electric vehicle powertrain, using new production technologies earmarked for Kia EVs.

Equipped with a high-capacity 64 kWh lithium-polymer battery pack, the Niro EV will be able to drive more than 380 kilometers (236 miles) on a single charge with zero emissions. Plugged into a 100 kW fast charger, it takes 54 minutes to recharge the Niro EV’s battery to 80%. Buyers will also be to specify their Niro EV with an optional 39.2 kWh lithium-polymer battery pack, with a range of up to 240 kilometers (149 miles) from a single charge*

Power is provided to the front wheels through a 150 kW (204 ps) motor, producing 395 Nm torque from a standstill, enabling the Niro EV to accelerate from 0 to 100 kph in just 7.8 seconds. The battery pack is located low down in the body, beneath the trunk floor, giving the CUV a center of gravity more akin to that of a sedan or a hatchback, ensuring maximum stability – and driving enjoyment – on winding roads.