Kia has revealed the European version of the Kia Niro EV, called the e-Niro, at the 2018 Paris motor show. The Nissan Leaf rival will go on sale at the end of this year in the UK.
The e-Niro is based on the existing Kia Niro crossover and will be sold with two variants at launch: one with a 39.2kWh lithium ion battery pack offering a range of up to 193 miles from a full charge, and another using a 64kWh version of the same battery pack offering up to 301 miles of range. Only the latter, larger capacity variant will be sold in the UK, and Kia is targeting a sub £30,000 price with the government grant taken into account.
Both figures are calculated using the new, more real-world WLTP test cycle, with the larger capacity model claiming up to 382 miles on the urban driving cycle. By way of comparison, a Jaguar I-Pace uses a 90kWh battery giving a claimed range of 298 miles on the combined cycle.
Two power outputs are also offered with the e-Niro. The base variant produces 134bhp and 291 lb ft of torque, allowing it to get from 0-62mph in 9.8 seconds. The longer range version produces the same amount of torque, but the motor makes 201bhp. Kia claims a 0-62mph time for that variant of 7.8 seconds. Both put their power through the front wheels only.
From a 100kW charge point, Kia claims that the higher-capacity Niro EV will attain 80% charge in 54 minutes, and a 20% to 80% charge in 42 minutes.
The e-Niro, first previewed by a concept that was unveiled in January, is slightly slower in the 0-62mph sprint than the related Hyundai Kona Electric. However, with an output of 201bhp it is slightly more powerful, albeit with the same 291lb ft of torque as the Kona Electric.
In addition to the usual driver assistance systems of automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance, the e-Niro has Level 2 autonomous capability, akin to the Volkswagen Group's Traffic Jam Assist system, which follows traffic and steers the car within its lane. It operates from a dead stop up to 80mph, although the driver must keep their hands on the wheel at all times.
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Range isn't everything!
I'm a retired old git & rarely go more than 100 miles by car.
My Leaf's notional 160 mile range is perfect for me, but for occasional trips to see family, the Niro EV's 300 would be much better. Niro is a much better-looking vehicle than the current Leaf (a re-skin of the old one) and has the benefit of Active Battery Management which means no "Rapidgate" here.
My other half has a Niro Hybrid, and I can honestly say that it is better-designed, better-made and is nicer inside than my Leaf Tekna. The Niro EV will probably be the same. Kia \ Hyundai is currently on a roll by making good-quality, well-enginereed cars which while not in most ways exceptional, are excellent value. This is a skill that the likes of Nissan would do well to try & recover.
Not a SUV
"Electric version of hybrid SUV"
Assume Autocar are just copying a press release with that sub-heading. No way is the Niro a SUV in the original meaning of the abbreviation - Sports Utility Vehicle". Basically it's similar to one of the original family hatchbacks - the Austin Maxi.
Electric filler
It does appear wasteful that they are not just using the existing fuel filler from the standard hybrid as it means a completely different pressing. The Ioniq EV just uses the redundant petrol filler.