Power and Performance
Due to its sleek profile, Niro boasts a drag co-efficient of just 0.30. The aerodynamic design is made even more critical as with extra batteries on board the Plug-in Hybrid is 94kg heavier than the regular Niro. However, clever use of lighter materials, such as high-strength steel and aluminium in the body construction minimise curb weight to 1,594kg.
The main power is supplied by a 1.6-litre petrol engine with direct-injection technology, producing 104bhp Kia have paired this with a 44.5kWh electric motor. Itself capable of producing a further 60bhp, and with a range of 36 miles it is possible for most people to get to and from work without paying for any fuel or producing any noxious emissions from your tailpipe.
The petrol engine has also designed to be more efficient. The first of the Niro range to make the switch, Niro Plug-in Hybrid uses the Atkinson cycle, instead of the traditional Otto cycle. This process allows the intake valve to stay open for longer during the combustion cycle, reducing the compression ratio which in turn enables the engine to extract more energy from the process instead of losing it as heat.
The 8.9 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery supplies power to the electric motor. The two units combined produce a very reasonable 139bhp, in first gear alone this produces an impressive torque of 265Nm. Niro Plug-in Hybrid is able, in just 10.4 seconds, to get up to 60mph and has a maximum speed of 107 mph. This model comes with six-speed, dual clutch automatic transmission giving greater responsiveness, incorporating a Manual Sports mode allowing drivers to opt to drive manually, should they wish to do so.