FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW: Kia Niro city-SUV

Kia has revealed full exterior and interior images of an all-new concept car that’s almost certain to morph into the Korean brand’s first small SUV.

Previewed by two teaser images earlier this month ahead of its world debut at the 65th Frankfurt motor show on September 10, the Kia Niro concept heralds a direct Kia rival for pint-size crossovers like the Nissan Dualis, Holden Trax and upcoming Ford EcoSport.

Kia rarely produces concepts for the sake of it and, in this case, says the Niro “hints at a possible future B-segment contender ready to take on the urban environment with style and tenacity, and will preview an innovative new powertrain when it is revealed on September 10”.

“Niro's unveiling in Frankfurt will be used to gauge potential customer response for future showroom models,” said Kia.

No further details are provided, but the small Kia crossover could be powered by the same plug-in electric drive system fitted to the battery-powered version of the second-generation Soul, which was spied this week in development testing.

Like the MkII Soul, which goes on sale in Australia in the first quarter of next year, the production Niro is based on the same B-segment (light-car) platform as the Rio and will initially be powered by conventional petrol engines – probably the same 1.4- and 1.6-litre petrol engines.

Kia says the Niro, which will cost less than $25,000 when it hits showrooms some time next year (without the show car's butterfly doors), was designed at its Frankfurt design studio just down the road from the motor show, under the direction of its chief European designer, Gregory Guillaume.

“Accepting any challenge that the assured modern motorist may throw at it, Niro combines a mischievous character in a clearly robust and substantial yet stylish bodyshape featuring a mix of contrasting materials -- including stainless steel elements -- in compact, purposeful dimensions.

“Born out of Kia's determination to seek new compact-car options for the individualistic and demanding driver for whom size is an issue, Niro features intriguing elements not always associated with smaller cars and has been created in Europe with European tastes and expectations very much in mind.”

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