Kia has shown its Niro concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show, signalling its likely entry into the B-segment to compete alongside Nissan's Juke. A pure concept model at the moment, Kia insiders suggest a production model could be readied for sale by 2015/16.
Exterior
Concept car styling details dominate the Niro show car, with elements like the butterfly wing doors highly unlikely to make any production model. The overall shape doesn't stray too far from Kia's current design direction though, with elements like Kia's 'tiger's nose' grille featuring. Riding high, yet offering a sleek profile, the two-tone black lower body and brushed stainless steel roof accentuate the Niro's sporting looks.
Interior
That simplicity is carried over to the interior, where the one-piece front seat is finished in a silver material in the otherwise black cabin, The rear seats are 'occasional' fold away '+2' pews that offer the choice of additional passenger or load carrying capacity. Those front seats look structural, their material stretching over the transmission tunnel to create a single and striking finish inside. Like the exterior Kia has used contrasting metallic 'Limelight' highlights, adding some colour and drama to the instrumentation and controls.
Mechanicals
Underlining Kia's production intent is the fitment of its 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 160hp, driven via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. To that the Niro adds an electric motor, which delivers its 45hp to the rear wheels, adding to the drive when the Niro requires extra grip. The battery is recharged from both the conventional petrol engine up front and a regenerative braking system.
Anything else?
Kia is publically saying that the Niro is purely a concept, but its appearance at the Frankfurt show is merely to gauge the public reaction to it. Behind the scenes Kia's people are admitting it would like to exploit the growing demand for smaller, niche models like Nissan's Juke, so the Niro, or something similar will possibly reach Kia's showrooms in the next two to three years.