Kia Motors has unveiled the Niro plug-in hybrid and the Optima Sportwagon plug in hybrid at the Geneva Motor Show.
The Niro goes on sale across Europe during Q3 2017, while the Optima is due on-sale across Europe from Q2 2017.
The plug in hybrid model pairs up a 1.6-litre GDI (gasoline direct injection) engine, which produces 77kW and 147Nm torque, with an 8.9kWh lithium-polymer battery pack.
The total power and torque output for the Niro plug in hybrid powertrain will be 104kW and 265Nm, enabling the new model to accelerate from 0-to-100 km/h in 10.8 seconds (0.7 seconds quicker than the standard Niro).
The Niro reduces emissions over the more conventional Niro hybrid and has a zero-emissions pure-electric driving range of over 55 kilometres.
Michael Cole, chief operating officer, Kia Motors Europe, notes: “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.”
Optima Sportswagon plug in also unveiled
The Optima plug in hybrid offers 440 litres (VDA) of cargo space – 133 litres more than the Optima plug-in hybrid sedan.
The powertrain combines a 2.0-litre four-cylinder GDI engine with a 50kW electric motor and 11.26 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack.
With a total power output of 151kW and a high 375Nm maximum torque, the Optima Sportswagon gives drivers a range of over 60 kms.
Cole notes of the Optima plug in: “We expanded the Optima range in the third quarter of 2016 with new Optima Sportswagon and plug-in hybrid sedan versions – each respectively accounting for 62% and 13% of Optima sales.”
Both the Niro and Optima Sportswagon plug ins are the latest models from Kia which are aimed at helping the company achieve its global target for 2020 – to improve fuel efficiency by 25% compared with 2014 levels.
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