What's the news?
The greatly anticipated European concept from Kia has been revealed in full ahead of its official world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The concept has been called Niro and initial photos show that Kia's designers appear to have got it right again.
Exterior
The teaser shots we were given of the Niro a few weeks ago suggested it would have a coupé-like appearance, but it looks as though we were wrong. Instead, Kia has created a sporty-looking, Evoque-style crossover. Now for a kick-off, we all know that those mad doors won't make any future production models and neither will the razor-thin door mirrors, but the rest of the car feasibly could. Leaving the company's signature grille aside, Kia appears to have created an entirely new design language for Niro; featuring new light clusters front and rear, bespoke alloy wheels and a two-tone paint finish.
Interior
Like the previous shots we had of the Niro's cabin, the dashboard is very simplistic in its design. Most of the concept's toys will be controlled via a large touchscreen found on the centre console. Of the switchgear we can see, there are two buttons that suggest the Niro may be equipped with a locking centre differential as well as Kia's own version of Hill Descent Control - hinting that this may be more of a potential off-roader than initial glances might suggest. Again, like the doors, we guess that the heavily sculpted seats will be ditched by the time a production version rolls round, but the paddle-shifters behind the sports steering wheel could remain.
Mechanicals
No word has been given as to what is under Niro's bonnet; however we would expect to find some kind of petrol-electric hybrid or plug-in hybrid unit, as well as at least one diesel engine if it goes into production. As we mentioned earlier Niro is also expected to come with four-wheel drive, however we're sure that two-wheel drive versions would be made available as well.
Anything else?
More details are expected to be revealed during the press days at the Frankfurt Motor Show, which opens on the 10th September. The reaction in Frankfurt will determine whether or not the Niro will go into production. We would be very surprised if it doesn't get the green light. Watch this space...