2017 Kia Niro hybrid revealed in Chicago

Electrification is the new hot trend in the automotive market. Many companies are harnessing the advantages of electricity to create more fuel efficient vehicles. The Korean car manufacturer Kia have followed suit by revealing the production ready Niro hybrid crossover at the 2016 Chicago Motor Show.

Built on the platform of the Hyundai Ioniq, the Niro is a car with all the styling cues of a small crossover. Plastic body-cladding, roof-rails, a rear skid-plate, the lot. The visual appeal is further enhanced by the tailgate mounted spoiler and the 18-inch alloys. The interior of the car is not a departure from the present, but its neat, clean and it does justice to the Kia design language. The 7-inch display and the UVO3 Infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility puts the Niro right in 2016.

The powertrain consists of a 1.6-litre 4-cylinder engine which churns out 103 hp. The electric motor, when coupled to the 1.56 kilowatt Lithium-ion polymer battery, produces 43 hp which takes the total figure up to 146 hp. The torque is rated at 264 Nm. A 6-speed dual-clutch unit is employed to handle this power. It will apparently return a fuel efficiency of 4.7 l/100 km.

The Niro is fitted with an Eco Driver Assistance System. It includes Kia’s Coasting Guide and Predictive Energy Control. It uses the navigation system and cruise control system in tandem in order to make necessary adjustments in the car’s setup according to the topographical changes of the surface it runs on so as to maximize fuel efficiency.

The Niro, along with the hybrid versions of the Optima, are a part of Kia’s de-carbonization plans. Kia is preparing to have 11 new green cars in its portfolio by 2020 under its EcoDynamics sub-brand.