All the world’s focus may be on the 2016 Detroit Auto Show right now, but Kia is already looking forward to the next one – the 2016 Chicago Auto Show in February – by teasing the upcoming Kia Niro that will make its debut there.
It’s clear here how much the new B-segment crossover takes after its bigger brother, the Sportage – triangular headlights sit above the signature “tiger nose” grille, while the rear gets high-set LED tail lights that add to a more minimalist design. The small rear quarter light window does mark it out from the Sportage’s thick C-pillar, however.
Kia has confirmed that the Niro will be offered with a hybrid powertrain – a 105 PS/147 Nm 1.6 litre GDI direct-injected petrol engine mated to a 32 kW (43 hp) electric motor, a 1.56 kWh battery and a six-speed dual-clutch transmission, producing under 90 grams of CO2 per kilometre combined on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). It’s the same petrol-electric setup that is also fitted on the new Hyundai Ioniq hybrid.
Although the Niro will be hybrid-only in its home market of South Korea, expect traditional petrol and diesel powertrains to be offered as well elsewhere, as well as a plug-in hybrid later on as part of the company’s goal to improve its corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) by over 25% by the year 2020.
SPYSHOTS: Kia Niro B-segment crossover
GALLERY: Kia Niro Concept from Frankfurt 2013
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Toyota Vios 4 speed conventional auto. Kimchi specs 6 speed dsg. Which do you want? 4 or 6 speed.
No RV no thanks.
Hopefully they made some design changes to make it look better than the new Sportage. Maybe we can get the full spec version at the price of the entry level HRV?