The new Kia Niro EV has gone on sale in Korea, combining an all-electric, zero-emissions powertrain with crossover practicality, intelligent packaging and eye-catching design. A long-distance driving range of up to 385 kilometers makes it one of the most capable electric vehicles on sale anywhere in the world.
The Niro EV occupies a unique position in the global market as an all-electric crossover utility vehicle (CUV), and sits alongside the existing Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid variants of the car. The Niro EV is to be Kia’s second globally-sold electric vehicle after the Soul EV and will go on sale in Europe at the end of 2018 and North America in Q1 2019.
Matching its sporty, crossover design, the Niro EV offers buyers long-distance, zero-emissions driving ability and enjoyable performance with a next-generation electric vehicle powertrain. A high-capacity battery pack affords a driving range of up to 385 kilometres 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%.
The Niro EV offers drivers a range of Kia’s ‘Advanced Driver Assistance Systems’, supporting the driver in various environments and scenarios to mitigate the risk of a collision, including Forward Collision Warning with Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Smart Cruise Control with Intelligent Stop & Go, and Lane Following Assist.
The dashboard features a 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. A new mood lighting system illuminates both the center console and the shifter, and occupants can choose from six colors.
A 7.0-inch touchscreen HMI (human-machine interface) remains at the center 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.