Autocar UK – 24 April 2019

18 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 24 APRIL 2 019

K

ia has previewed a bold

new look for the next

Niro, due in 2021 – and

given a hint to its future

design language – with the

HabaNiro concept at the

New York motor show.

The eventual production

version of the HabaNiro will be

the second-generation Niro

SUV, which will continue the

current generation’s electrified

line-up by offering hybrid, plug-

in hybrid and electric variants.

The electric HabaNiro is

claimed to offer more than 300

miles of range, exceeding the

282 miles (on the WLTP test

cycle) of the current longest-

range e-Niro.

The concept also has

all-wheel drive, with electric

motors located at the front and

rear – a feature that could be

offered as an option on future

Niro models.

In addition, the HabaNiro

concept has a number of

more futuristic elements,

including maximum level five

autonomous driving capability

and butterfly-wing doors.

The concept sits on a

dedicated electric vehicle

architecture, unlike the current

e-Niro and electric Soul, which

use adapted platforms. The

concept’s designer, Kurt Kahl,

said: “This [platform] is what

we’d like for the next Niro. We

can utilise an EV chassis to

get idealised proportions such

as the short front and rear

overhangs, wide stance and

very open cabin.”

Talking about the butterfly-

wing doors, Kahl said: “It’s

probably not possible for the

Niro but it’s a great way to

showcase the interior and

technology for this show car.

But I would say never say never

for a future halo car, because

obviously those doors would

be expensive.”

Speaking more broadly on

design, he said: “We have a

history of making concept cars

that lead to production cars.

HabaNiro is our idealised view

of where Niro could go, so don’t

be surprised if you see some

influence in the next Niro.”

Inside the concept,

rectangular screens and

traditional control knobs have

b e e n r e p l a ce d by a fu l l - w i d th

front windscreen head-up

display (HUD), which allows the

car’s occupants to swipe and

move vehicle options across

the HUD screen.

In fully autonomous mode,

the HabaNiro’s steering wheel

and instrument panel retracts

to give more room for front

occupants and media can be

displayed on the HUD system.

Although advanced self-driving

systems won’t be launched

in the next-generation Niro,

Kia is currently testing such

technology at its base in Korea.

The HabaNiro also features

Kia’s Real-time Emotion

Adaptive Driving system

(READ), first shown at this

year’s Consumer Electronics

S h ow i n L a s Ve g a s. I t c a n

personalise the cabin by

reading a driver’s emotions

in real time through artificial

intelligence-based recognition

technology. Again, Kia plans to

introduce such technology but

not in the immediate future.

The current Niro hybrid

and plug-in hybrid variants

have recently been facelifted,

drawing the exterior closer in

look to the e-Niro while adding

greater connectivity inside.

Kia will launch hybrid

versions of its Ceed hatchback

and estate later this year, and

its yet-to-be-revealed XCeed

SUV is also set to get a plug-in

hybrid version.

There are no imminent plans

for more fully electric models

beyond the e-Niro and new

electric Soul. A production

version of the four-door

performance Imagine by Kia

concept shown at Geneva in

March is set for 2021.

RACHEL BURGESS

New Niro sets out bold Kia look

Concept version of the new Niro reveals Kia’s future design direction and tech vision

`

Rectangular screens and control

knobs have been replaced by a full-

width windscreen head-up display

a

HabaNiro concept

previews the new

Niro, due in 2021

NEW YORK MOTOR SHOW