Kia Ireland has announced Irish market prices for the new Niro. The low-slung crossover will go on sale in Ireland in July, starting with the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model, which will have an opening price tag of €38,500.
Carried-over 64kWh battery pack
The fully-electric version, which is now called Niro EV, rather than e-Niro as was, will arrive in September and will carry over the 64kWh battery pack from the outgoing model. It's part of Kia's plan to have a 14-strong fully-electric lineup by 2027.
That Niro EV should have a one-charge range of about 460km (it hasn't been through the official WLTP test just yet) while the PHEV model claims a 59km range on a full charge of its 11.1kWh battery - an impressive range for such a small battery.
Inside, the Niro is a little roomier than before, thanks to also being a little larger on the outside. Inside, the cabin design has been clearly influenced by the EV6 and the Sportage (no bad thing), and many of the materials used are constructed from recycled plastics and fabrics.
Kia Ireland will launch with two PHEV models 'K3' and 'K4'. The 'K3' model will go on the market at €38,500 and higher specced 'K4' at €41,500. Standard equipment for the K3 includes 18-inch alloys, LED headlights with bi-function projection, heated front seats, a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, Kia Connect online services, wireless phone charger, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with voice control, and dual-zone automatic air conditioning. Safety features include lane keep assist, lane follow assist, active cruise control, and blind-spot collision avoidance.
Rotary gear shifter
On top of all that, the 'K4' gets a rotary dial gear selector for drive, reverse and park, power-adjustable front seats, heated rear seats, heads-up display, 10.25" LCD driver display screen and power tailgate.
The EV model, which doesn't have an Irish price as yet, will only come in K4 spec, with the addition of a heat-pump heating system, an integrated battery cooling and heating circuit, and the ability to provide a power output to charge other devices.
For the first time, the Niro EV will be rated for towing, and will be capable of hauling up to 750kg (the PHEV retains the same 1,300kg towing weight as before).
Path to clean mobility
The new Niro will get a first Irish showing at the upcoming Bord Bia Bloom festival in Dublin. Ronan Flood, MD of Kia Ireland, said, "Kia has redesigned Niro to provide people with a clearer path to clean mobility. The range of eco-friendly powertrains will encourage even the most hesitant customers to make the switch to more sustainable forms of movement.
"The already popular Niro benefits from Kia's latest tech advancements and can meet the mobility needs of all drivers, attracting new people to the brand. The current Niro family is Kia's third best-seller in Ireland, and the new version will further extend Niro's position as a volume model within the Kia portfolio and help accelerate Kia Ireland's sales of eco-friendly vehicles."