UPGRADED NIRO HYBRID AND PLUG-IN HYBRID CROSSOVERS NOW ON SALE

Following its unveiling at the Geneva International Motor Show in March, the upgraded Kia Niro is now on sale in the UK with prices starting at £24,590.

• A number of improvements have been made to the Niro, Kia’s best-selling electrified crossover range of ultra-low emission vehicles. Enhanced for 2019 with a new exterior design, a more upscale, high-quality interior and enhanced connectivity, the Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid models feature Kia’s advanced new UVO CONNECT telematics system, which brings additional ‘connected’ functionality to the car.

  Updated exterior design

  Retaining its stylish crossover design, the upgraded Kia Niro features a number of design updates for 2019. The refreshed design aligns the Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid variants of the range with the appearance of the all-new all-electric e-Niro.

  While the new Niro retains its distinctive design and iconic ‘tiger-nose’ grille, new bumpers at the front and rear give it a more purposeful appearance and more confident stance on the road. The standard projection headlamps have been redesigned, incorporating Kia’s unique ‘ice-cube’ design with LED headlamps on the ‘4’ grade.

  The bumper features new LED daytime running lights below the headlamps with a unique double-arrow layout, as well as LED fog lamps on grades ‘3’ and ‘4’.

  At the rear of the car, newly-redesigned LED lights give the Niro a more distinctive and modern light signature. The new bumper design is finished with a silver-painted skid plate and incorporates new light reflectors and rear fog lamps in the corners.

  The Niro Hybrid is offered with redesigned 16-inch alloy wheels on grade ‘2’, with an all-new 18-inch dual-tone diamond-cut alloy wheel for grades ‘3’ and ‘4’. The Niro PHEV is available with newly-designed 16-inch alloy wheels with dark grey inserts, contributing to its unique stance and design.

  Enhanced interior atmosphere

  Inside, Kia has introduced a series of visual and material upgrades, creating a more upscale atmosphere and enhancing cabin quality. The top of the dashboard is finished in high-quality soft-touch coating, while the dashboard and instrument panel feature elegant new gloss black trim with satin chrome highlights.

  Kia is also introducing a new 10.25-inch TFT-LCD widescreen for the main display on grades ‘3’ and ‘4’, with a 7.0-inch TFT Supervision instrument cluster for the driver included on grade ‘4’. The car is fitted with an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system and 4.2-inch TFT instrument binnacle as standard on grade ‘2’.

  The interior also engages drivers more with the adoption of wheel-mounted paddle-shifters to change gear. The Niro Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid are both equipped with a slick-shifting six-speed auto dual-clutch transmission, delivering more direct and immediate responses – and a more entertaining drive – than traditional electronic continuously-variable transmissions (e-CVT) found on other hybrids.

  Kia is now equipping the new Niro Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid models with a new electronic parking brake, accompanied by larger rear brakes to improve stopping power in all conditions.

  Kia launches innovative UVO CONNECT telematics system

  The new Niro is among the first Kia models in Europe to offer the brand’s innovative UVO CONNECT telematics system, connecting drivers to the world around to provide them with invaluable information during a drive.

  Kia is introducing the UVO CONNECT telematics system to all Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid variants of the Niro range. The technology will be introduced to other European models in future.

  Accessible via the 10.25-inch touchscreen (standard on grades ‘3’ and ‘4’) and the owner’s smartphone, UVO CONNECT features a new Kia Live system, which uses its own SIM card to retrieve and update live data. This gives owners access to live traffic information, weather forecasts, points of interest, fuel prices, and details of potential on- and off-street parking – including price, location and availability.

  The second element of the UVO system is the UVO App, designed for compatibility on Android and Apple smartphones. The app offers users peace of mind with a range of features to provide diagnostic data about their car and the trips they take. The app also enables owners to activate a range of remote functions and features remotely. Depending on country, users can remotely send route directions to their car before a journey, check the location of their vehicle, and access vehicle reports and diagnostic notifications.

  The 10.25-inch touchscreen navigation system features with Bluetooth® multi-connection as standard, enabling occupants to connect two mobile devices at once, as well as Apple CarPlayTM and Android AutoTM. Its advanced split-screen functionality lets users control or monitor different vehicle features at the same time, customising the screen with a series of different widgets. The driver can now have a single display (such as navigation or powertrain information), or combine numerous elements on-screen at the same time. This means the driver can follow navigation directions or keep track of energy flow through the hybrid powertrain, while passengers can simultaneously choose their favourite songs or check the weather forecast.

  The technology has been developed to comply with the latest European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), ensuring the highest levels of data privacy and protection.

  New safety technologies available

  The upgraded Niro range sees the introduction of a series of new active driver-assistive safety technologies. Already available with Adaptive Smart Cruise Control, the upgraded Niro Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid are now offered with additional Stop & Go functionality. Adaptive Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go follows the preceding vehicle and can now bring the Niro to a stop if traffic slows to a halt, bringing the car back up to speed as the car in front moves off.

  Lane Following Assist is available for the first time on Niro Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid models, following its introduction on the electric e-Niro. This technology tracks vehicles in front of the car in traffic and detects road markings to keep the Niro in its lane on the motorway. The system controls acceleration, braking and steering depending on the convoy of vehicles in front, using external sensors to maintain a safe distance, while also assisting the driver change lanes. Lane Following Assist operates between zero and 81mph.

  The Niro continues to be offered with a comprehensive suite of active safety technologies. Depending on specification, these include Forward Collision-avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Driver Attention Warning, High Beam Assist, Blind-spot Collision Warning, Rear Cross-traffic Collision Warning, and Intelligent Speed Limit Warning, in addition to the new electronic parking brake.

  Successful around the world

  Since sales began in 2016, over 270,000 examples of the Niro have been sold globally, with more than 100,000 units sold in Europe. In the UK, over 14,000 Niro PHEV and Hybrid models have been sold since 2016.

  Paul Philpott, President of Kia Motors UK said: “The Niro has become a key growth driver for Kia in Europe and is a cornerstone of our electrified product strategy. Its cool crossover design, high versatility, and low emissions and running costs make it an attractive proposition for both private and business buyers. New enhancements to quality and design, and the adoption of our ‘connected’ UVO system, will make the Niro family an even more compelling proposition.”

  Uniquely among all hybrid cars in Europe, the Niro is sold with Kia’s industry-leading seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty as standard.

  Practical, efficient and engaging to drive

  With fully-independent front and rear suspension and a slick-shifting six-speed auto dual-clutch transmission, the Kia Niro Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid offer a fine balance between on-road comfort and driver engagement.

  Its crossover packaging – unique among other hybrids at the same price point – means owners benefit from generous interior room and high cargo capacity with flexible storage space. Unlike many other hybrid models, the new Niro offers an optional Towing Pack, enabling the car to tow loads of up to 1,300 kg in weight (braked).

  The Niro is powered by an efficient 1.6-litre GDi (Gasoline Direct injection) engine, twinned with either a 1.56 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack (Niro Hybrid models) or 8.9 kWh (for Plug-in Hybrid models). Carbon dioxide emissions for the Niro Hybrid are as low as 99g/km (NEDC 2.0 combined cycle), with emissions from Plug-in Hybrid models even lower at 31g/km (NEDC 2.0 combined cycle). The Niro Plug-in Hybrid can achieve a pure electric driving range of 30 miles*.