Nother CarGuy

Kia has introduced the all-new Niro EV at the International Electric Vehicle Expo in South Korea. Previewed by the Niro EV concept, the production model more closely follows the standard Niro and Niro plug-in hybrid. Despite the styling similarities, the Niro EV has a unique front bumper with sportier air intakes featuring “arrowhead” shaped day running lights. Another key change is the addition of a flush-mounted grille that has a subtle geometric pattern on it. The grille also houses the car’s electrical charging port. Rounding out of the styling changes is a new lower air intake and additional plastic body cladding which forms a front splitter. The Niro EV has also greenish accents and 17-inch wheels with large surfaces which likely reduce drag. The rear of the car largely carries over but there’s a modestly revised bumper with air vents. Kia was coy on performance specifications but confirmed the model will be offered with two different batteries including a 64 kWh...

Kia have applied the plug-in hybrid treatment to the Niro, which celebrates its debut at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show. The PHEV model will go on sale across Europe during Q3, at a yet undisclosed price, and will join the Niro Hybrid within the lineup, as well as a possible EV version that could launch later on, it. It pairs a 1.6-liter GDI direct-injected petrol engine with an 8.9 kWh lithium-polymer battery pack, which has a higher capacity compared to the 1.56 kWh battery pack found on the Niro Hybrid. It provides juice to a more powerful 44.5 kW (61 PS/60 HP) electric motor, contributing to a total output of 141 PS (139 HP) and 265 Nm (195 lb-ft) of torque. Power is sent to the wheels through a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and in this flavor, the vehicle needs 10.8 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph), a 0.7sec improvement over the standard Niro, while emitting below 30 g/km of CO2, in the NEDC. Moreover, its pure-electric driving range is said t...

According to Kia, the car of the future will not only be  capable of driving itself , but will also be tailor-built to our lifestyles. With that in mind, each of their four SEMA concepts is meant to spark the imagination while exploring active and diverse lifestyles that range from sports entertainment to business travel. "Over the course of our 22 years in the US market, we've watched with pride as our vehicles have helped people live their active and diverse lifestyles. This year’s SEMA show gives us the opportunity to ponder what the future of living the autonomous life may one day resemble,"  said KMA exec Michael Sprague. In no particular order, the four cars Kia prepared for SEMA are the Niro Triathlon, the School of Rock Sedona, the Sorento Ski Gondola and the Soul First Class. However, they've also brought along the Telluride full-size hybrid SUV concept that was unveiled earlier this year at NAIAS. Starting with the  autonomous Niro Triathlon , we notice...

Kia’s answer to the Toyota Prius is heading to Geneva after its official reveal at the  Chicago Auto Show .  The all-new Kia Niro is the  firm’s first dedicated hybrid model  and surprisingly comes wrapped in a crossover costume rather than the usual streamlined hatchback shape we are used to from this sort of vehicles. Based on the same platform with the upcoming Hyundai Ioniq, the new Kia Niro is powered by a combination of a 103hp 1.6-litre petrol engine and a 43hp electric motor. Rather than opting for a CVT transmission, Kia installed a six-speed double-clutch gearbox in order to make the Niro a more engaging drive.  The 1.56kWh lithium-ion battery pack weighs just 33kg and offers up to 50 per cent higher energy density and 13 per cent greater energy efficiency than the battery packs found in key rivals, claims Kia. Despite the SUV shape, the Kia Niro proves to be slippery enough as the drag coefficient is just 0.29 Cd. The key economy figures are not f...