Kia unveils all-new Niro EV in two battery capacities at the International Electric Vehicle Expo in Korea

MANILA: Kia, the Korean carmaker, has recently revealed the electric version of its Niro crossover. The unveiling was done at the prestigious International Electric Vehicle Expo in Korea. The EV was revealed in its production form. Another concept version of the crossover was revealed at the CES technology show held in Las Vegas in January 2018.

The Niro EV will be one of the biggest crossovers of Kia. It will be available with 380 km range from 64 kWh battery. It will also be available in a 241 km range variant. Kia has not given a smaller battery for the latter. However, the vice-chairman of the research and development wing of the company revealed that a smaller battery version of 32 KWh shall be accessible to the users. The model will have its own unique design which will differentiate it from its other hybrid and plug-in brothers.

This new Kia model will probably draw on the EV technology and will feature the same powertrain as Hyundai’s Ioniq EV. Hyundai Motor Group is the sister concern of Kia.

The Niro EV model is vastly similar to the standard Niro version. Its distinguishing feature will be the ‘parametric’ grille which is similar to the interactive display panel as shown at the CES.

Kia has already received approximately 5000 orders of Niro EV in Korea. This model will go on sale later this year along with the plug-in hybrid and hydrogen fuel cell versions. This brand new model by Kia is a part of Kia’s ACE strategy. ACE stands for Autonomous, Connected, and Electric. Kia plans to offer 16 electric vehicles by the end of 2025.

Being a major automobile company in the Philippines, it is to be seen how this brand-new Kia Niro model will fare in the country. After the enormous success of Picanto, Sorento, and Rio 5-Door, the onus on Kia to succeed in the Philippines has, however, been amplified.