All electric Kia Niro EV to come in 2018

The all-electric Niro, meanwhile, will use the same 28-kilowatt-hour battery pack and 88-kilowatt (120-horsepower) electric motor driving the front wheels.

Now that's a disappointment, same power same battery as the Ioniq !

It will be less efficient than the Ioniq so that makes me wonder if the Ioniq will get a battery upgrade in 2018 then , if so why not the Niro ?

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1108916_all-electric-kia-niro-ev-to-come-in-2018-says-kia-exec

bk

The Kia's and Hyundai's seem to be launching in Europe well in advance of the US market.

So the 28kw Niro could be late 2017 in Europe, while a higher capacity Ioniq could hit Europe in 2018.

I think the Niro and Kia are partly limited due to their 3-in-1 design versus a pure EV design. They have less space to fit batteries, which means they have to wait for battery manufacturers to come out with newer higher density batteries to fit in the same space.

cros13

The original source doesn't state that the Niro's pack will be the same capacity as the current Ioniq, only that they would share the same powertrain.

The uprated ~40-50kWh pack for the Ioniq is also due in Q1 2018.
Given the increased weight and poorer aerodynamics of the Niro I'd be extremely surprised if the 30kWh Ioniq pack is the one they launch with.

DrPhilG

cros13 wrote: »

The uprated ~40-50kWh pack for the Ioniq is also due in Q1 2018.

Is that definite? I know they said when the 28kwh Ioniq came out that there would be an extended battery but I haven't heard anything since then.

A 50kwh Ioniq would be ideal for me, I could get a 1 year old in 2019 which is when I'm due to change.

cros13

I know they have the pack in mules on the road. I also know they won't be able to get the batteries in quantity until the end of Q3 2017 at the earliest.
The physical space available to expand the pack and the density of the cells they were moving to was mentioned at a automotive suppliers conference back in early 2016. Q1 2018 was mentioned by a Hyundai employee I met in November, that would line up nicely.

cros13

Hyundai has it's equivalent to the Niro EV in testing in Korea now:

http://english.etnews.com/news/article.html?id=20170116200001



Common platform with the Niro. CCS charging.

Article mentions a 64kWh pack.... which if it's true would make the claimed 300-400km range very achievable.

Some interest food for thought.... pack production prices in SK are now below $210/kWh which would make the pack cost ~$13000 at worst, that's less than the Gen 1 Nissan Leaf battery cost.

65 Kwh would be nice, if it could manage 18 Kwh/100 kms that would indicate 330 Kms range (60 Kwh) , possibly 350 driving easier, still no matter what it would be better than the 120 Kms or so of my 2015 Leaf !

It would be nice if it were available for January 2018 because I don't think leaf II is going to interest me all that much. The current car is too small and I expect Leaf II to be no larger.

I would like if manufacturers could offer different power options, it would be nice if the Nero had 150-200 HP, same with Leaf II !

cros13

I'm in the same position, my driving suits an EV with more range but I'd like a crossover/SUV for the extra space and my budget can't stretch to the Model X (at least not at the Irish prices).

I'd be very tempted by the first option on the market whether that's the Kia/Hyundai or the Jaguar.

The Niro doesn't look that much larger though.

goz83

Deleted User wrote: »

The Niro doesn't look that much larger though.

It's not. All external bulk, not much more internal space than the leaf.

colm_mcm

The Niro is a lovely car in the flesh.

goz83

colm_mcm wrote: »

The Niro is a lovely car in the flesh.

Not to sit in. It felt cheap. I was unimpressed and I generally like the Kia stuff.

colm_mcm

I sat into one and thought it was quite nice. Dunno if there's various trim levels or what?

goz83

colm_mcm wrote: »

I sat into one and thought it was quite nice. Dunno if there's various trim levels or what?

Airside, Swords....maybe a month ago. The only question I had was when the the PHEV version would be available. Of course, the rep hadn't a clue.

jackofalltrades

Good to see someone bringing out an SUV/Crossover EV.
It's a fast growing section of the market that doesn't have any option at the moment.

bk

An SUV with real world 300km's motorway speed and I'd be throwing my money at it.

Perfect vehicle for my needs, exactly what I've been waiting for.

Enough range to comfortably travel anywhere in the country and plenty of space to carry the whole family and all the camping gear needed for trips away.

Fingers crossed this will come soon.

And 300 Kw charging would be really super !

tk123

goz83 wrote: »

Not to sit in. It felt cheap. I was unimpressed and I generally like the Kia stuff.

Yeah leather seats are so tacky- pffft! I love mine :P

goz83

tk123 wrote: »

Yeah leather seats are so tacky- pffft! I love mine :P

I like the leather in the Leaf and the interior in general. I wasn't impressed with the Niro. Are people not entitled their opinion? Mine is that the Niro feels cheap....but you can love cheap all you like

tk123

goz83 wrote: »

I like the leather in the Leaf and the interior in general. I wasn't impressed with the Niro. Are people not entitled their opinion? Mine is that the Niro feels cheap....but you can love cheap all you like

Of course you're entitled! Some of us have crap-box cars so everything else is a fancy step up lol!!! :pac: The Niro has spoiled me with that heated steering wheel lol :pac: