Speaking about serieal production electric cars, we haven’t doubts that the new Kia e-Niro is the real Queen of the Mondial de l’Auto of Paris.
The all-new Kia e-Niro is the first fully electric crossover utility vehicle produced by Kia. With a range of 485 kilometres (301 miles) on the WLTP combined cycle, the all-electric e-Niro combines driving enjoyment, eye-catching design, crossover utility and a zero-emissions powertrain – to create one of the most capable electric vehicles on-sale worldwide.
The e-Niro occupies a unique position in the market as an all-electric crossover, with intelligent packaging, high practicality, and a long-distance driving range. Buyers will also benefit from a range of dedicated electric vehicle (EV) in-car technologies, new safety features, and stand-out exterior and interior design.
Emilio Herrera, Chief Operating Officer of Kia Motors Europe, commented:
A combination of cool crossover design and advanced powertrains led to more than 33,000 Niro sales across Europe in 2017, and more than 30,000 year-to-date in 2018, making it one of our best-selling models. Annual sales of electric vehicles across Europe are expected to reach 200,000 this year, rising to nearly one million units by the end of 2022, while the crossover market is also forecast to continue expanding in the coming years. The e-Niro is a clear demonstration of the progress Kia has made in delivering comfortable, practical and fun-to-drive vehicles that lead the way in zero-emissions driving.
The new e-Niro joins existing Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid variants of the car – of which more than 200,000 have sold globally since the Niro’s introduction in 2016. To date, Europe has accounted for more than 65,000 sales of the hybrid crossover.
The e-Niro is to be Kia’s second globally-sold electric vehicle after the Soul EV. The new model makes its European debut here at the 2018 Paris Motor Show, and will go on sale in select European markets by the end of 2018.
Powertrain
485-kilometre driving range from next-generation all-electric powertrain
The Kia e-Niro has been designed to merge crossover-inspired design with long-distance, zero-emissions driving and enjoyable performance. It achieves this with a next-generation electric powertrain, using new production technologies developed specifically for Kia electric vehicles.
The e-Niro offers buyers a convincing alternative to compact crossovers powered by traditional gasoline or diesel internal combustion engines. It gives owners the opportunity to complete both long distance drives and daily commutes with zero emissions and ultra-low running costs.
In Europe the Niro will be equipped with a high-capacity 64 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack. On the WLTP combined cycle, it provides a driving range of more than 485 kilometres (301 miles) on a single charge, producing zero on-road CO2 emissions. On the WLTP urban cycle, the e-Niro is capable of driving up to 615 km (382 miles). Buyers will also be to specify their e-Niro with a 39.2 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack, with a range of up to 312 kilometres (193 miles) from a single charge on the WLTP combined cycle. Plugged into a 100 kW fast charger, it takes only 42 minutes to recharge the e-Niro’s battery from 20% to 80%.
Models equipped with the long-distance 64 kWh battery pack are paired with a 150 kW (204 ps) motor, producing 395 Nm torque, enabling the e-Niro to accelerate from 0-to-100 kph in just 7.8 seconds. The standard 39.2 kWh battery pack is matched to a 100 kW (136 ps) motor, also producing 395 Nm torque, and accelerating to 100 kph from a standstill in 9.8 seconds. Like the Niro Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid variants, the new electric model is front-wheel drive.
Technologies and features
Energy-harvesting and predictive driving assistant technologies
The e-Niro provides owners with a range of technologies to enhance battery efficiency and improve the car’s range.
Regenerative braking technology allows the Niro to harvest kinetic energy and recharge the battery pack while coasting or braking, while the Eco Driving Assistant System (Eco DAS) provides drivers with intelligent guidance on how to drive more efficiently. Eco DAS includes Coasting Guide Control (CGC) and Predictive Energy Control (PEC), enabling drivers to maximise vehicle range by suggesting when to coast or brake.
CGC alerts drivers as to the best time to lift off the accelerator and coast towards a junction, allowing the battery to regenerate under engine deceleration. Operating at certain speeds when a navigation destination is set, the system alerts drivers when to coast via a small icon in the instrument cluster as well as an unobtrusive audible warning.
While the electric motor requires no transmission, the car still features a pair of metal paddles behind the steering wheel. These paddles let drivers choose between three levels of energy recuperation. The higher the level of recuperation chosen by the driver, the more energy the regenerative brakes try to harvest.
The Niro’s Electric Parking Brake (EPB), is operated by a button on the new centre console panel. The driver can manually apply the parking brake once stopped. When moving off, the EPB switches off automatically, allowing a seamless start.
A battery heating system is also fitted to the e-Niro, designed to insulate and warm up the battery while the vehicle is plugged in, minimising the adverse effects of cold temperatures.
The e-Niro is also fitted with an advanced heat pump, which draws on heat energy from the air-conditioning and electrical systems. Instead of relying entirely on battery power to heat the cabin, the heat pump recycles this heat energy to improve the efficiency of the car’s heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. The system is made up of a compressor, evaporator and condenser, which improve the car’s ability to efficiently heat up the cabin, minimising electricity consumption from the battery. In turn, this increases the e-Niro’s overall driving range.
The e-Niro is also equipped with a Drive Mode Select system, enabling owners to tailor their driving experience. Switching between Normal, Eco and Sport modes, Drive Mode Select alters the level of effort required to steer the car, and subtly changes the character of the powertrain. Eco mode maximises the potential for greater fuel efficiency by limiting the maximum torque and power of the motor, softening throttle responses, and offering more relaxed steering inputs. Normal mode is the most suitable for day-to-day driving, combining the innate efficiency and performance of the powertrain with direct steering and throttle responses. Sport mode enhances throttle responses and enables maximum acceleration, as well as weighting up the steering for more decisive responses to driver inputs, bringing the e-Niro’s engaging handling character to the fore.
Kia e-Niro – Technical Specificationis (Europe)
Body and chassis
Five-door, five-seater all-electric crossover, with steel and aluminium unitary construction bodyshell. An electric motor drives the front wheels via a single-speed reduction gear set, powered by a lithium-ion polymer battery pack.
Powertrain Electric motor
Type Permanent magnet AC synchronous motor
Voltage 356 V (long) / 327 V (standard)
Max power 204 ps (150 kW) @ 3,800 – 8000 rpm (long-range)
136 ps (100 kW) @ 3,800 – 8000 rpm (standard)
Max torque 395 Nm (291.5 lb ft) @ 0 – 3,600 rpm (long-range)
Max torque 395 Nm (291.5 lb ft) @ 0 – 2,400 rpm (standard)
Long-range battery pack
Type Lithium-ion polymer
Voltage 356 V
Energy 64 kWh
Capacity 180 Ah
On-board charger 7.2 kW
Energy density (cell) 250 Wh / kg
Standard battery pack
Type Lithium-ion polymer
Voltage 327 V
Energy 39.2 kWh
Capacity 120 Ah
On-board charger 7.2 kW
Energy density (cell) 250 Wh / kg
Suspension and damping
Front Fully-independent by subframe-mounted MacPherson struts, coil springs and gas-filled shock absorbers, with anti-roll stabiliser bar
Rear Fully-independent by subframe-mounted double wishbones, coil springs and gas-filled shock absorbers, with anti-roll stabiliser bar
Steering
Type Electric motor-driven rack-and-pinion power steering
Steering ratio 13.3:1
Turns, lock-to-lock 2.57
Turning circle 5.3 metres
Brakes
Front 305 mm ventilated discs
Rear 300 mm solid discs
Parking brake Electronic parking brake
Wheels and tyres
Standard Alloy 17-inch, 215/55 R17 tyres
Spare Tyre mobility kit
Dimensions (mm)
Exterior
Overall length 4,375 Overall width 1,805*
Overall height 1,560 Wheelbase 2,700
Front overhang 885 Rear overhang 790
Ground clearance 155
*excluding door mirrors
Interior 1st row 2nd row
Head room 1,018 957
Leg room 1,059 914
Shoulder room 1,423 1,400
Hip room 1,364 1,228
Luggage capacity (litres, VDA)
Behind second row 451
Behind first row 1,405
Weights (kg) Long-range Standard
Curb weight (max) 1,791 1,646
Curb weight (min) 1,737 1,592
Gross weight 2,230 2,080
Performance and range
Long-range Standard
Top speed (kph) 167 155
0-to-100 kph (sec) 7.8 9.8
Max vehicle range 485 km 312 km
Energy consumption 149 Wh / km 142 Wh / km
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