The exterior of the new model is the result of the work of design studios in Irvine (California, USA) and Namyang (South Korea). The Niro features sporty proportions with a long roofline and short overhangs, giving the car an athletic look. The front features Kia's signature "tiger nose" grille and headlights with crisp lines that accentuate the muscular fenders.
The Niro's wheelbase is 2700 mm. This allowed for a spacious cabin for the driver and passengers. The car also boasts a high seating position, similar to the Kia Soul, which ensures comfort during the ride and easy entry/exit. And thanks to the placement of the battery pack under the rear seats, the Niro has a flat floor for cargo and increased overall cabin capacity. Passenger comfort was also improved through engineering solutions that significantly reduced noise and vibration levels. The car's body is 53% made of improved high-strength steel.
The engineers also abandoned the traditional 12-volt battery, transferring its functions to a high-voltage lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 1.56 kWh. Under the hood of the Niro is an innovative 4-cylinder Kappa gasoline engine with a displacement of 1.6 liters, which was created specifically for hybrid models. The power unit with an output of 103 hp for the first time combines the Atkinson cycle, cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), direct injection, as well as a long-stroke engine design in which the piston stroke exceeds the cylinder diameter. Paired with the gasoline engine is a traction electric motor with 43 hp, providing a total power of 146 hp and a torque of 264 Nm. The latter is transmitted via the recently developed second generation of the 6-speed DCT dual-clutch transmission. Fuel consumption in the combined cycle for the new Niro is 4.7 l/100 km.
The new Niro is offered with the new Eco-DAS driver assistance system - for the first time for Kia models, it has the Coasting Guide and Predictive Energy Control functions. The Coasting Guide system is aimed at maximizing fuel economy by providing instructions to the driver - where to coast and where to brake. Predictive Energy Control uses the navigation system and cruise control to anticipate changes in road terrain and manage the car's energy consumption, determining when to recharge the battery and when it is better to use stored energy to maximize overall efficiency.
Another interesting feature is the Smart Air Intake system, which manages the inflow of outside air for the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. The new Kia Niro received the latest version of the UVO3 infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen display, 8 GB of storage space for music, access to on-screen apps (such as Pandora and Soundhound), as well as the ability to use a smartphone as a modem to connect other devices to the internet. The above specifications of the new Kia Niro will be available on the American market and may differ in other regions of the world. It is too early to talk about the prospects of this model on the Ukrainian market.
