STYLISH KIA NIRO HYBRID CROSSOVER AVAILABLE AT UNDERWOODS

• Kia's first dedicated hybrid and first ever hybrid in the UK available at Underwoods in Colchester, Essex
• Fuel economy of up to 74.3mpg with CO2 emissions from 88g/km
• Available with the latest connectivity and driver assistance features
• Four models with prices starting at £21,295

Kia is shaking up the world of hybrid vehicles with the launch of the all-new Niro, available at Underwoods in Colchester priced from just £21,295 with an on-sale date of August 8. Niro combines the in-demand styling of a compact crossover vehicle with the low emissions and high fuel economy of a hybrid car. With CO2 emissions as low as 88g/km and a fuel economy of up to 74.3mpg, combined with a generous level of specification the Niro is set to appeal to customers.

With its crossover design it is anything but a run-of-the-mill hybrid. The Niro includes the latest connectivity and active safety technologies, including Kia Connected Services featuring TomTom®, wireless smartphone charging, autonomous emergency braking, smart cruise control and lane-keeping, blind spot and rear cross traffic warning systems. The Niro also offers Android Auto – a first for Kia - which links Android smartphones to Google Maps navigation, Google Play music, hands-free calls and texts and voice recognition via pre-downloaded apps. Rob Lang from Underwoods Kia said: “We can’t wait to start talking to our customers about the all-new Kia Niro. We know that drivers in Essex are keen to see a model with high fuel efficiency and low CO2 emissions and the Niro delivers just that. We are proud to sell Kia cars for the people of Colchester and welcome local residents to come down for a test drive.”

The Niro is a dedicated hybrid model on an all-new platform which will only ever be used for electrified vehicles. It also has an all-new powertrain featuring a 1.6-litre, 104bhp internal combustion engine and a 43.5bhp electric motor driving through a six-speed double-clutch automatic transmission.

Niro in the UK
Niro comes to the UK in a four-model line-up badged ‘1’, ‘2’, ‘3’ and ‘First Edition’. All are comprehensively equipped with comfort, luxury, connectivity and driver assistance features. Every version has a Lane Keep Assist System, Hill-start Assist Control, Cruise Control and a Speed Limiter. Every Niro also has a DAB radio and is able to support Bluetooth smartphone connectivity and music streaming.

All-new hybrid powertrain promotes outstanding efficiency
Niro's powertrain, like its design, marks it out as something different from the norm in dedicated hybrid vehicles. While it pairs a petrol engine with an electric motor like the majority of hybrids, drive to the front wheels is through a six-speed double-clutch automatic gearbox (6DCT) rather than the more commonly favoured continuously variable transmission (CVT). This gives more direct and immediate response with greater refinement, and incorporates a Manual Sports mode to allow keener drivers to select gears manually.

The petrol engine is a new 1.6-litre direct-injection (GDI) unit, specifically engineered for use in hybrid cars. It develops 1034hp and 147Nm of torque, and conforms with Kia's policy of adopting high-efficiency downsized power units for all new models. The engine marks the first combination of an Atkinson combustion cycle, cooled exhaust gas recirculation, direct petrol injection and a long-stroke specification for maximum efficiency. The Atkinson cycle holds the intake valve open longer than in a normal Otto cycle engine and also reduces the compression ratio to extract a greater proportion of energy from the combustion process. Efficiency is further aided by an exhaust heat recovery system which speeds the engine warm-up process.

The combustion engine is paired with a 32kW (43.5bhp) electric motor developing 170Nm of torque and powered by a 1.56kWh lithium-ion polymer battery. Together, the two power units produce 139bhp, with 265Nm of torque available in first gear for rapid acceleration from standstill.

Niro is a parallel hybrid, which means that most of the time the petrol and electric power units work together. However, it can operate in all-electric mode for short distances when setting off, under gentle acceleration and when descending slopes or braking. A brake energy recovery system recoups energy normally dissipated as heat and stores it in the batteries for use later. The switch between all-electric, hybrid or petrol engine-only modes is seamless and varies according to the load being placed on the powertrain at any given time. This advanced powertrain ensures Niro is capable of up to 74.3mpg, with CO2 emissions from only 88g/km.

The in-house 6DCT gearbox incorporates a new Transmission-Mounted Electric Device (TMED) which allows the full output of both power units to be transferred in parallel to the drive wheels, with minimal energy losses. This differs from the power-split system typical of CVT transmissions, which convert a portion of engine output for delivery through the electric motor, resulting in a loss of energy. TMED allows the hybrid system to access battery power directly at higher speeds for swifter response.

Market, warranty and after-care
Hybrid sales in the UK and mainland Europe have doubled over the past five years and are expected to reach 700,000 annually by the end of the decade. Niro ensures Kia is perfectly positioned to take advantage of this growing demand.

In keeping with every Kia model, Niro comes with a unique seven-year or 100,000-mile warranty, subject to wear and tear conditions. The warranty – the best on any hybrid available in Britain – is fully transferable should the car be sold before the time or mileage limits have been reached.

For more information call Rob Lang on 01206 844 423 or by email on: enquiries@underwoodsmotorgroup.com