Kia says its all-electric Niro can be recharged in under 10 hours.
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| © CNET With no engine under the hood, there's no need for a grille opening. |
Kia is charging further into the electrification space with the introduction of the 2019 Niro EV, a battery-electric version of the Niro hatchback that's already offered in both traditional hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants.
Of course, the Kia Niro EV isn't exactly new: We saw it earlier this year in Paris with an "E-Niro" badge, and we know that in South Korea it has a rated driving range of 236 miles. But today the US-market version of the Niro EV was formally introduced at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
In our market the car will have an EPA-rated driving range of 239 miles
per charge. That's quite good for the affordable-EV class, beating the Chevrolet Bolt EV's range by one mile.
The
Niro EV uses a 64-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack, with an
electric drive motor good for 201 horsepower and 291 pound-feet of
torque. Those are the same powertrain specs as the Hyundai Kona Electric, which boasts a slightly higher EPA rating of 258 miles per charge.
Visually, the 2019 Kia Niro
EV stands out from its other variants thanks to its grille-less nose
and abundant "EcoDynamics Blue" accent pieces. Kia also says that the
car's rockers, 17-inch wheels and fascias were restyled to reduce
aerodynamic drag and thus boost range. Inside, the Niro EV will have
blue accents for its seats, too. As is required by law,
the Niro EV also produces artificial sounds at low speeds to help alert
pedestrians and other drivers to its presence. As Kia said in a press
release, the car, "makes a fantastic techy whirring noise when moving
that evokes speedy sci-fi craft … so everyone knows it's coming."
The
Niro EV will be able to use CCS DC fast charging to get an 80 percent
charge in just one hour and 15 minutes. On a Level 2 charger -- the type
you're most likely to find at a public charge point or to install in
your garage -- the Niro EV can be fully charged in 9.5 hours. To help
preserve battery power, there are four drive modes: Eco, Normal, Sport
and Eco+. Drivers can also select the strength of the car's regenerative
braking by pulling paddles on the steering wheel
.
When the 2019
Kia Niro EV goes on sale in early 2019, it'll be offered in EX and EX
Premium trim levels. Standard equipment on the EX will include three USB
ports and a 7-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
support, while the EX Premium will tout things like an 8-inch
touchscreen, LED headlights, a heated steering wheel and ambient
interior lighting. Kia says that pricing for the new electric hatchback
will be announced closer to the Niro EV's on-sale date next year.
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| © Provided by CBS Interactive Inc. The Niro EV's electric drive motor puts out 201 horsepower and 291 pound-feet of torque. |
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| © Provided by CBS Interactive Inc. |
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| © Provided by CBS Interactive Inc. Kia has finally introduced the US version of the Niro EV at the Los Angeles Auto Show. |
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