PARIS MOTOR SHOW: Kia e-Niro slated for Australia

Kia is set to enter the electric race in Australia at the end of 2019 with a new crossover called the e-Niro.

The car-maker’s Australian stakeholders pointed to a likely arrival at the stands of the Paris motor show this week, where the e-Niro made its European debut. At this early stage, a price tag under $50,000 is being worked towards.

With headline figures including a 485km electric range, Kia says the e-Niro is its very first fully electric crossover – and a follow-up to the existing Soul EV not sold here.

Kia Motors Australia spokesman Kevin Hepworth confirmed the newcomer would grace local showrooms from the end of 2019.

“We looking hard at a business case for it,” he said. “The odds are shortening.”

An electric presence in Australia seems a fait accompli for Kia since its Korean cousin Hyundai is in the midst of establishing its green footprint, spearheaded by the electric Kona SUV.

It is understood the e-Niro was not originally designated for Aussie showrooms, but a change of heart now has stakeholders orchestrating plans to train at least one technician in every one of its 136 dealerships to coincide with the Australian rollout.

Kia Australia chief operating officer Damien Meredith said a price tag under $50,000 would help the model to gain traction in Australia.

Meredith anticipates up to 120 sales of the e-Niro annually, initially at least.

"As more information comes to hand we will continue to look closely at it," he said. "We'd hope that the new EV would be under ($50,000) but it's too early to call at this point in time."

Kia is set to use the same charging point as what Tesla uses in Australia, however, Meredith revealed Kia would not be able to take advantage of the US manufacturer's infrastructure because Tesla's charging facilites require vehicles to use in-house computer coding to be compatible.

Irrespectively, Meredith believes the time is right to make a play at EVs.

"We have CO2 parameters that we have to meet in Australia in the next six years, in 2024," he said. "We need to start the process regarding EVs. We've skipped hybrids in Australia but if it is viable, this car allows us to start that process."

The e-Niro joins existing hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants of the Niro in Europe, cars which have netted more than 200,000 sales globally since their introduction in 2016. The all-electric version will go on sale in Europe at the end of 2018.

Riding on the same platform as existing hybrid models, the e-Niro offers a 2700mm wheelbase, is 4375mm in overall length and features a 451-litre boot. Drive is sent to the front wheels only.

In Europe the e-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 485km, while on the urban cycle, the e-Niro is capable of driving up to 615 km (382 miles).

A 39.2 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack is also available, with a range of up to 312km.

“Plugged into a 100kW fast charger, it takes only 42 minutes to recharge the e-Niro’s battery from 20 per cent to 80 per cent," Kia says.

“Models equipped with the long-distance 64kWh battery pack are paired with a 150kW motor, producing 395Nm torque, enabling the e-Niro to accelerate from 0-to-100km/h in just 7.8 seconds.

“The standard 39.2kWh battery pack is matched to a 100kW motor, also producing 395Nm torque, and accelerating to 100km/h from a standstill in 9.8 seconds.”

The car’s design takes direct inspiration from the 2018 Niro EV Concept shown at the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Kia’s design studios in California and Namyang collaborated to produce the final shape, headlined by a ‘tiger-nose’ grille with an integrated charging point, redesigned air intakes and arrowhead-shaped LED daytime running lights.

The e-Niro shares a strong styling resemblance with its existing hybridised siblings, but breaks out with a re-worked front bumper, new 17-inch alloy wheels (housing a regenerative braking system), and a re-designed rear bumper flanked by recognisable rear light signature.

Inside the cabin, the e-Niro’s electric origins are more obvious. A shift-by-wire rotator dial replaces the donor vehicle’s traditional gear stick and linkage, while the traditional transmission tunnel has been eschewed for more storage.

The details are flanked by vivid blue highlights throughout the car, echoing the colour accents on the exterior.

A 7.0-inch touch-screen sits pride of place within the dashboard, allowing owners to locate nearby charging points and monitor the level of remaining charge and range. It is matched by a separate 7.0-inch unit housed within the driver instrument cluster.

Technology is also guaranteed to be first-rate in the Niro. Kia says the car features regenerative braking to harvest energy and recharged the battery pack whilst coasting or braking.

A heat pump system will purportedly draw heat energy from the air-conditioning and electrical systems to heat the cabin, increasing the vehicle’s driving range.

Dynamically, the e-Niro will feature fully independent suspension and a battery pack that is mounted low between the axles for optimum centre of gravity “akin to a sedan or hatchback,” in Kia’s words.

Regenerative brakes measuring 305mm in diameter at the front and 300mm at the rear are supported by the latest acronyms in driver aids.

The e-Niro will be supported by a seven-year, 150,000km warranty in Europe. Its Australian arrival time is yet to be determined, however, Kia Australia stakeholders suggest it will be towards the back end of 2019.

Kia also used the Paris show to reveal its new ProCeed small car, which won’t be coming to Australia.

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