Kia Niro PHEV was recently presented at the Los Angeles Motor Show and its the third model of the Korean brand that uses plug-in hybrid mechanics.
It is the same compact crossover that we already knew, but in its conventional hybrid version that now can offer in exclusively electric mode an autonomy up to 58 km.
The Kia Niro PHEV uses a 1.6-liter GDI (gasoline direct injection) four-cylinder engine whose block is made of aluminum that generates 105 HP and 147 Nm of torque associated with a six speed dual clutch gearbox.
Electric propulsion uses a 8.9 kWh (59 kW) lithium-polymer battery pack and a powerful 60-HP (44.5 kW) electric motor with which it can travel about 50 km in purely electric mode. Connected to a 240 V charger, 100% charge is achieved in 2.5 hours and less than 9 hours for a 120 V charger.
The two systems together produce a total of 141 horsepower and 264 Nm of torque, with an estimated range of 560 miles.
Orth Hedrick, vice president, product planning, Kia Motors America (KMA) said: "The Niro Plug-in is the exciting next step in Kia's progression toward offering more alternative fuel vehicles by 2020” "Consumers who are intrigued by the Niro hybrid's fantastic versatility and design, but want even more EcoDynamics technology and the ability to drive only using electric power, will find more to love in the Niro Plug-in Hybrid."
