SUV Kia Niro second generation: now the whole range
The second-generation Kia Niro compact SUV debuted last November. But at first, only one version saw the light: the basic hybrid without the ability to connect to an outlet is still sold only in South Korea at a price of 22 thousand dollars. In Europe, a full-fledged premiere of the entire Kia model range took place. The first-generation Niro crossover found 310 thousand buyers here, and in France it even became the bestseller of the brand: last year 9.5 thousand units were sold here, including 6.3 thousand electric vehicles.
Like its predecessor, the new Niro is offered in three versions. The base hybrid is joined by the Niro PHEV plug-in hybrid and the Niro EV all-electric vehicle. Both hybrid versions have the same “gasoline” part: aspirated 1.6 GDI, working on the Atkinson economic cycle, produces 105 hp and 144 Nm. Six-speed “Robot” with two clutches, like the previous model, but .. without a reverse gear! The developers are proud that this allowed to reduce the weight of the unit by 2.3 kg, and now only the electric motor is responsible for the reverse.
The base hybrid has the same electrical system as the previous generation Niro. A 44 hp electric motor is integrated into the gearbox, the maximum system output is 141 hp, and a traction battery with a capacity of only 1.32 kWh is installed under the rear sofa. Such a hybrid can move on electric traction for a short time, and not quickly.
The Kia Niro PHEV battery-powered crossover with generation transmission has received an overhaul of key features. The power of the electric motor was increased from 61 to 84 hp, and the maximum power of the power plant was increased from 141 to 183 hp. The capacity of the traction battery has been increased from 8.9 to 11.1 kWh, the range on electric traction has been increased from 49 to 65 km in the WLTP cycle.
Finally, the Kia Niro EV electric car (pictured) is now offered in one version instead of the previous two: the initial version with a 136 hp engine and a small “battery” is excluded from the range. But the stuffing of the remaining version has not changed much. The 204 hp electric motor remained on the front axle, the capacity of the lithium-ion traction battery symbolically increased from 64 to 64.8 kWh. This made it possible to increase the passport range by 8 km, up to 463 km according to the WLTP cycle.
The dynamic characteristics are the same: Niro EV with a curb weight of 1739 kg can reach a maximum speed of 167 km / h, acceleration to “hundreds” in 7.8 seconds. The power of “fast” charging with direct current is small by modern standards – only 72 kW. But now it is possible to connect external consumers with a power of up to 3 kW to the electric Niro. And there was also a front trunk, although its capacity is only 20 liters. As for the main rear trunk, it has grown from 15 to 24 liters in the second-generation model, which has grown in size: the base hybrid has a compartment of 451 liters, the plug-in hybrid has 348 liters, and the electric car has 445 liters.
The second-generation Niro SUVs will hit the European market this summer. First, the hybrids will arrive here in June, while the electric vehicles will arrive on time in August. Prices have not yet been announced. The old Niro here costs from 28 thousand euros.