2023 Kia Niro: Initial details for Australia & More News Here

The new 2023 Kia Niro will provide a alternative of hybrid or electrical energy – however not plug-in hybrid – when it arrives in Australian showrooms throughout the coming weeks.

Due in “late June”, the second-generation Niro follows solely 14 months after its predecessor launched in Australia – however round 5 years after it went on sale abroad, the standard life cycle of a Kia car.

As feared, the brand new mannequin shall be provided solely with ‘closed loop’ standard hybrid (HEV) or fully-electric (EV) propulsion, spelling the top of the plug-in hybrid, after it accounted for solely 7.4 per cent of gross sales over the primary three months of this 12 months.

These powertrains shall be accessible in two mannequin grades: an entry-level S mannequin – which proved standard with fleets within the automobile’s final technology – and a extra premium GT-Line, changing the Sport because the flagship providing.

Prices shall be introduced nearer to launch, nonetheless the additional expertise on provide factors to reasonable value rises over the outgoing mannequin, priced from $41,990 drive-away for a Hybrid S, to $70,990 drive-away for an Electric Sport.

The GT-Line will debut Kia’s new suite of ‘telematic’ related applied sciences, referred to as Kia Connect, which permits house owners to unlock/lock their car, begin it up, pre-heat the cabin, monitor its location, activate a valet parking mode, and a variety of different capabilities from a cellphone app.

Kia is the newest model to introduce a smartphone-linked related companies system, following Toyota, Lexus and plenty of premium German manufacturers. Sister model Hyundai will introduce its personal Bluelink telematics system shortly after Kia, between July and September.

Powering the hybrid variant is a revised 77kW/144Nm 1.6-litre non-turbo four-cylinder petrol engine, paired to a 32kW electrical motor and six-speed dual-clutch automated transmission for 104kW/265Nm mixed, and claimed gasoline economic system of 4.0 litres per 100 kilometres.

Meanwhile, the electrical mannequin makes use of a front-mounted 150kW/255Nm motor (down 140Nm on the outgoing automobile) and a 64.8kWh battery pack for 460km of claimed driving vary.

The new Niro measures 4420mm lengthy, 1825mm huge and 1545mm excessive (hybrid; or 1570mm for the EV), with a 2720mm wheelbase – 45-65mm longer total, 20mm wider, 10mm taller and 20mm longer in wheelbase.

Full specs shall be confirmed nearer to launch, with solely preliminary details introduced at the moment – and specializing in the flagship GT-Line grade.

However, Kia Australia ha confirmed all fashions shall be geared up with blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert (each with the flexibility to brake for obstacles), centre airbag, multi-collision braking, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, and site visitors signal recognition.

It’s implied these options will be a part of varied security programs carried over from the outdated mannequin, together with autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep help and adaptive cruise management.

Features possible unique to the hybrid and electrical GT-Line fashions embrace a ten.25-inch digital instrument show, a head-up show, ventilated entrance seats, heated steering wheel, energy tailgate, keyless entry and begin, and Remote Smart Parking Assist expertise.’

Exclusive objects fitted to the EV GT-Line embrace an influence tilt/sliding sunroof, eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, ‘premium rest’ seats, and vehicle-to-load performance, permitting house owners to energy small electrical gadgets from the automobile’s battery.

The Kia Connect system gives options together with: varied distant controls, distant engine begin, distant local weather management, distant seat heating/air flow, test car standing, Valet Parking mode, reside companies, emergency name, car monitoring, and stolen car ignition management.

It additionally features a function permitting a GPS vacation spot to be despatched to the automobile, voice management, a private calendar, and a map of electrical car charging stations.

The 2023 Kia Niro is due in Australian showrooms from late June 2022. Full pricing and specs shall be confirmed nearer to launch.