Kia has shown a plug-in hybrid version of its Niro crossover at the Geneva motor show.
Combining a 105hp 1.6-litre petrol engine with a 44hp electric motor, the new model is set to arrive in the UK in Q3.
According to Kia, its engineers are targeting CO2 emissions below 30g/km with an electric-only range of at least 34 miles, with final figures due to be published nearer to the car’s launch date.
At present, the Niro is equipped with a mild hybrid powertrain which emits 88g/km of CO2 and returns 74.3mpg.
Kia said the Niro PHEV includes a regenerative braking system to harvest energy and recharge the batteries while braking or coasting.The brand said the car will also provide guidance on how to drive more efficiently in order to preserve battery life.
The car uses satnav data to anticipate changes to the road and uses this information to suggest when it is best to recharge the batteries, or to use the extra power in a short burst.
Kia claimed the Niro was engineered to accommodate hybrid powertrains from the outset, so the packaging of the vehicle has not been compromised.
The PHEV also features styling tweaks to differentiate the car from the existing hybrid model, with the exterior featuring a chrome grille, as well as dedicated ‘Eco plug-in’ badging.
Inside, the car contains a seven-inch driver instrument cluster displaying information about the powertrain, including the battery’s state of charge.
“Annual sales of plug-in hybrid models in Europe are expected to grow to more than 600,000 units by the end of 2023, while the crossover market is also forecast to expand in the coming years. There is a clear demand from customers for a vehicle which combines the practicality of a compact crossover with the ultra-low emissions of an advanced plug-in powertrain,” said Michael Cole, chief operating officer at Kia Europe. “The Niro plug-in hybrid will be the only car on the market to offer this combination. The Niro plug-in hybrid is one of the latest low-emissions cars from Kia which will help the company achieve its global target for 2020 – to improve fuel efficiency by 25% compared with 2014 levels.”