Kia unveils Niro hybrid SUV at Chicago Motor Show

The new Kia Niro petrol-electric hybrid has been unveiled at the Chicago Motor Show, kick-starting the next stage of the Korean manufacturer’s green car strategy.

Billed by its maker as a ‘Hybrid Utility Vehicle’ - which essentially means it combines crossover looks with hybrid technology – the vehicle is part of Kia’s aim to increase its green car line-up from four cars to 11 by the end of this decade.

It is the first Kia product to make use of a new platform specifically for hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles that’s been developed for use by parent firm Hyundai. The Niro sits between the Kia Soul and Kia Sportage and  in terms of size and has a 2700mm wheelbase.

At the heart of the Niro’s power supply is a new 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that has been engineered specifically for hybrid applications.

The 102bhp engine maximises efficiency by combining the Atkinson Cycle, cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), direct injection and when Kia calls a “long-stroke-narrow-bore specification”. An exhaust heat recovery system speeds the engine’s warm-up by routing coolant to a heat exchanger in the exhaust system.

A transmission-mounted 42bhp electric motor is powered by a 1.56kWh lithium ion polymer battery and works in tandem with the petrol engine to produce a total of 144bhp and 195lb ft of torque. The power is fed to the front wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT).

Fuel economy and CO2 emissions have yet to be officially ratified, but Kia engineers are targeting a CO2 output of 89g/km for the Niro.

Boot space of around 450-500 litres is claimed with the rear seats in place, but capacity with the seats folded is yet to be determined.

The petrol-hybrid SUV was jointly designed by Kia’s design centres in California, USA and Namyang, Korea. It will rival a disparate group of cars when it hits UK roads in early 2017, including the Toyota Prius.

Key design details include the relatively wide stance, which Kia says conveys “stability and a low centre of gravity” and the long wheelbase, which reduces the front and rear overhangs for a more dynamic look, while also allowing for maximised interior space.

At the front Kia’s signature grille is present, flanked by aggressively shaped headlights. It also gets the flared wheel arches, rocker cladding, roof rails and a rear skid plate that are de rigeur in the crossover segment.

The interior features an elevated seating position similar to that of the Soul, with a minimalist cabin design in line with many modern hybrids. The Niro comes with the newest version of Kia’s infotainment and telematics system, which also featured on the new Sportage, and boasts a 7-inch touchscreen.

To minimise noise, vibration and harshness, the Niro is fitted with specially designed engine mounts, equal-length driveshafts, and a damper inside the steering wheel hub to minimise vibrations felt in the steering wheel. Other NVH measures include a special embossed foam under the carpet, and a dense insulating pad underneath the bonnet also dampen noise.

Kia said it paid special attention to achieving a “seamless” feel to the transition between electric and petrol propulsion. It also focused on braking feel from the regenerative braking system, to offer “consistent and linear” braking.

The new petrol-electric platform uses 55% of Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS), including reinforcement in the A- and B-pillars as well as the roof rails, to reduce weight and increase durability. AHSS was also used to engineer other elements, including the unusual lightweight seat frames.

Engineers brought down the overall weight by using aluminium for the bonnet, tailgate and several suspension elements including the front lower control arms, front and rear knuckles, and in the brake calipers.

Detail tweaks such as a parking brake pedal made from fibre-reinforced plasticcontributes to the weight savings. Kia also eliminated the traditional 12-volt battery found in conventional cars to reduce weight, instead, utilising the 1.56kWh lithium ion polymer battery.

The battery itself is situated underneath the rear seats to maximise cabin and cargo space and allow for a flat floor in the load bay.

Although the Niro sports a crossover body style, Kia said it was also designed with aerodynamics in mind and has a drag coefficient of .29.

At first, the Niro will only be available with front-wheel-drive, but Autocar understands there is scope for a four-wheel-drive variant to be added to the line-up later on. The Niro will be built at Kia’s Hwasung plant in Korea, with sales commencing this autumn.

Although the Niro takes its names from a concept car shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2013, it is not related to that vehicle, which was a small SUV. That car is set to make production under a different name in 2017, as a rival to the Nissan Juke.

The Niro will be introduced under Kia’s EcoDynamics sub-brand, the name of which appears on many of its most frugal models.

Like the rest of Kia’s lineup, the Niro will be offered with a suite of technology including blind spot detection; cruise control; lane departure warning and autonomous emergency braking.

The Niro gets some new features, collected under the Eco-DAS (Driver Assistance System) banner. It has predictive energy control, which uses the navigation system and cruise control to anticipate topographical changes on the road ahead and actively manage energy flow, seamlessly determining when its best to recharge the battery and when its best to expend stored energy to optimise overall efficiency.

Although other brands have similar systems, Kia claims that its version is the first in the industry to monitor and adjust for both imminent uphills and downhills.

It is also the first Kia to get a coasting guide, which aims at maximising fuel economy by essentially coaching the driver on when to coast and brake.

The new model is due to come to the UK later this year. The price will be determined closer to the time, but it's likely to be priced competitively against the Prius, and it's possible that the Kia will even undercut the Toyota. The Niro will be joined by a plug-in hybrid variant later in its lifecycle.

Also read: Kia Motors likely to set up assembly base at Sri City in Andhra Pradesh, India