Kia Niro Plus revealed, confirmed for Australia

Kia has verified its Niro Plus, a small- or zero-emission selection for taxi drivers and rideshare operators, is coming to Australia ahead of the stop of 2022.

Primarily based on the earlier Niro (the new motor vehicle is by now on sale in South Korea), the Niro Additionally will be available with Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid or Electric powered variants, and is 10mm for a longer time and 80mm taller than the 1st-technology Niro to maximise house in the cabin.

Speaking with CarExpert, a representative for Kia Australia confirmed our industry is a person of the “select abroad markets” to acquire the Niro Additionally, with motor vehicles to land Down Under during the next 50 % of 2022.

The spokesperson indicated the goal-crafted Niro will be available in “limited numbers” and aimed at fleets, while was unable to affirm which powertrains will be provided.

Given its skew in the direction of taxi operators and experience-hailing expert services again dwelling, it’s possible the Niro Plus – significantly a Niro As well as Hybrid – would attraction to ride share motorists hunting for a lower- or zero-emissions motor vehicle which is a lot more recent than a little something like a Toyota Prius V.

Even more Australian information of the Niro As well as will be declared nearer to the new model’s arrival in the later on levels of this yr.

In accordance to the media release, Kia says the Niro Moreover is “firmly part” of its options “to turn into a Sustainable Mobility Methods Supplier and chief in PBV development”.

In South Korea the model will give a common variation of private proprietors – for small business, leisure and experience-hailing use – as very well as a specialised taxi version tailored to the desires and requires of Korean taxi operators.

The taxi variant will only be offered with the zero-emissions EV powertrain and sees additional developments these as slimmed-down cabin buildings these kinds of as the seats and doorway trims to maximise occupant house.

Door reflectors and help handles characteristic in the two the taxi and standard variations of the Niro Plus, though the previous gets a display incorporating the vehicle’s infotainment method as well a taximeter and electronic tachograph.

Kia states it programs to build partnerships with many organizations in the Korean market to provide around-the-air updates and providers.

More, the Niro Moreover will be initially of various “purpose-designed vehicles” from the Korean maker, with the very first committed PBV thanks in 2025. That is when the business also assignments the PBV market will “mature”. Said new model will be “similar in measurement to a mid-sized auto, with inherent scalability”.

On the matter of the common Niro, the next-technology edition of Kia’s eco-helpful crossover is because of to land in Australia in the 3rd quarter months, with Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid and EV variations all because of.

It wears a new design and style, and packs an overhauled interior encouraged by the EV6 electric powered auto incorporating sustainable supplies, as perfectly as current versions of the present powertrain set.

The Niro Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) pair a 1.6-litre petrol motor with an electric powered motor, battery pack and a six-velocity dual-clutch automated transmission, with the PHEV providing up to 65km of variety (WLTP) from its greater battery pack with plug-in charging capacity.

In the meantime, the Niro EV functions a 64.8kWh battery pack and 150kW/255Nm electric motor, with up to 463 kilometres of WLTP-qualified assortment for the European model. Australian specs will be verified nearer to launch – keep tuned to CarExpert for all the most recent.

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Extra: All the things Kia Niro