Kia shares the shape of the second generation, the 2023 Niro last November when the hatchback debuted at the Seoul Mobility Show. The Korean automaker is finally back with some By Niro Specifications in mixture form. The HabaNiro– the bodywork is a bit fuller in all dimensions, reaching 2.5 inches in length, 0.8 inches in width, 0.4 inches in roof height and 0.8 inches in wheelbase. Metallic panels will also add a fuller feast to the eyes, thanks to a wide range of outer and inner color lines. There will be nine color choices, accentuated by six color choices for the contrasting C-pillar and three more contrasting colors for the cladding. The interior will be available in Charcoal, Medium Gray or Gray/Light Grey, and an ambient lighting package with 74 shades will be available.
The larger bodywork creates more room for passengers and cargo, and the cargo compartment gets more space thanks to Kia moving the 12-volt battery from the cabin to the space under the rear seats along with the high-voltage battery. Based on the European VDA measurement technique, the cargo compartment increases by 0.5 cubic feet to 15.9 cubic feet. We’ll have to wait and see how that translates to the US model, as SAE notes the current overall Niro load space is 19.4 cubic feet.
On the other hand, the Niro hybrid benefits from an improved engine and transmission, but the displacement and power remain unchanged. The naturally aspirated 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine is requisitioned from Hyundai’s The SmartStream engine family, while engineers have tweaked the six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission to be lighter and more efficient. That claim 4% energy saving Korea’s cyclical improvement. The engine still makes 104 horsepower and 106 pound-feet of torque on its own. When assisted by a 32-kilowatt e-motor, the combined output holds steady at 139 hp, all sent to the front wheels.
The occupants are expected to experience a better ride thanks to improved steering that reduces friction and increases response, better sound-dampening materials, and a refined suspension setup on the platform. Upgrades include MacPherson struts at the front and a four-link arrangement at the rear.
The new Niro will go on sale later this month in its home market of Korea, global markets will need to wait until the end of the year. In the meantime, we’re waiting for specs for the other two powertrain versions to be made available, dip into the mixture and battery-electric decorations.
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