Being a car driver for more than 10 years, I have developed a keen interest in cars and love checking out new car launches to find out the new developments and features.
Thanks to Cycle & Carriage KIA Pte Ltd and The Hoffman Agency, I was invited to an exclusive media preview on 6 Jan 2017 way before the embargo date of 12 Jan 2017 for the release on the news of the all-new Niro Hybrid Utility Vehicle.
As the rain got a bit heavier, the guests were ushered into the Wine Company for some food and drinks as well as a presentation by Mr Eric Chan, Managing Director - Singapore Motor Operations, Jardine Cycle & Carriage.
He commented, “We wanted to give our consumers everything that they could want from a compact crossover in terms of practicality and styling, while providing the typically low running costs associated with a dedicated hybrid powertrain. In fact, the compact SUV market remains one of the fastest-growing segments in Singapore, and by offering a handsome, modern appearance, high practicality and extraordinary fuel economy, Kia’s new feature-packed Niro will be the most appealing and desirable car in its price segment.”
We were treated to some food and wine while waiting patiently for the rain to stop before taking a closer look at The Niro.
Finally the rain stopped and I managed to get into the NIRO to check it out.
Come follow me and take a closer look at the NIRO's interior!
The first thing that caught my eyes was the powerful sunroof opens or closes with the press of a button to let in sunshine and fresh air.
The blind spot detection sensors trigger visual alerts to inform you of vehicles in the blind spot, for easier and safer lane changes.
The wireless smartphone charger charge your compatible mobile phone wirelessly on the charging pad-without the need to find and connect a cord.
The driver and front passenger ventilated seats provide cool air on hot days, ensuring you a comfortable and refreshing ride.
With a strong, lightweight body and 7-airbag system, the Niro has achieved a 5-STAR Euro NCAP rating, building on Kia’s reputation for producing cars with a strong crash safety performance. The company’s engineering teams are also targeting the highest possible marks from independent safety test organizations around the world, aided by a host of the latest passive, active and pre-collision safety features such as the Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and more.
The high-strength platform will not only result in a high safety rating, but also help minimize noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), a key focus throughout the Niro’s conception. The strong body also enables Kia’s chassis and dynamics experts to give the car a smooth, refined ride and engaging handling characteristics.
Thanks to Cycle & Carriage KIA Pte Ltd and The Hoffman Agency, I was invited to an exclusive media preview on 6 Jan 2017 way before the embargo date of 12 Jan 2017 for the release on the news of the all-new Niro Hybrid Utility Vehicle.
Exclusive Media Preview of the all-new Niro Hybrid Utility Vehicle
The exclusive media preview was held in the Wine Company in Dempsey Hill, where the NIRO was parked right outside for invited press to take a closer look. As it was drizzling that day, I waited for a while before I could take photos with this all-new emission vehicle, The Niro – labelled a Hybrid Utility Vehicle (HUV) – represents a new concept from the Korean car brand, and marks the development of Kia’s first dedicated eco-car platform. This is the first-of-its-kind compact HUV, engineered from the ground up, with dedicated green technologies for greater fuel economy.
As the rain got a bit heavier, the guests were ushered into the Wine Company for some food and drinks as well as a presentation by Mr Eric Chan, Managing Director - Singapore Motor Operations, Jardine Cycle & Carriage.
He commented, “We wanted to give our consumers everything that they could want from a compact crossover in terms of practicality and styling, while providing the typically low running costs associated with a dedicated hybrid powertrain. In fact, the compact SUV market remains one of the fastest-growing segments in Singapore, and by offering a handsome, modern appearance, high practicality and extraordinary fuel economy, Kia’s new feature-packed Niro will be the most appealing and desirable car in its price segment.”
We were treated to some food and wine while waiting patiently for the rain to stop before taking a closer look at The Niro.
Come follow me and take a closer look at the NIRO's interior!
The first thing that caught my eyes was the powerful sunroof opens or closes with the press of a button to let in sunshine and fresh air.
The blind spot detection sensors trigger visual alerts to inform you of vehicles in the blind spot, for easier and safer lane changes.
The wireless smartphone charger charge your compatible mobile phone wirelessly on the charging pad-without the need to find and connect a cord.
Bold styling for all-new hybrid model
A new addition to Kia’s design-led product range, the Kia Niro will boast a brand new
design, with a sporty, aerodynamic body, subtly sculptured surfaces and styling details
finishing off the car’s modern new look. While the Niro is an all-new model, with no direct
predecessors, it still features the company’s signature ‘tiger-nose’ grille and a series of
other design cues from the latest Kia products. The styling of the new Niro development
project has been led by Kia’s design centers in California, USA and Namyang, Korea.
The car’s designers highlight the most modern architectural designs and contemporary sculptural art as key inspirations behind the new HUV’s body. The vehicle boasts smooth, sleek proportions, while its relatively wide stance portrays stability and a low center of gravity. The long wheelbase minimizes the size of the front and rear overhangs, while ensuring occupants enjoy the maximum possible interior space.
The car’s designers highlight the most modern architectural designs and contemporary sculptural art as key inspirations behind the new HUV’s body. The vehicle boasts smooth, sleek proportions, while its relatively wide stance portrays stability and a low center of gravity. The long wheelbase minimizes the size of the front and rear overhangs, while ensuring occupants enjoy the maximum possible interior space.
Class-leading fuel economy and 88g/km CO2 emissions
The main focus of engineering teams’ efforts behind the development of the new model
is to deliver class-leading fuel economy in the compact crossover segments. The Kia Niro
will combine a stylish design with greater fuel economy than its rivals, with CO2 emissions
rating of 88 g/km (combined).
Throughout the Niro’s development process, it has been conceived as a dedicated hybrid model. The car will achieve its ultra-low emissions levels and impressive fuel economy with a downsized hybrid powertrain, pairing Kia’s 1.6-liter ‘Kappa’ gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine (105 ps power output and 147 Nm of torque) with a 1.56 kWh lithium-polymer battery pack and 32 kW electric motor. The powertrain’s combined power output and torque will be applied to the road through a highly-efficient six-speed double-clutch transmission.
The platform underpinning the Niro has been engineered specifically to accommodate this next-generation gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain.
The Niro also officially received a Guinness World Record® for the lowest fuel consumption driving across the USA from coast to coast (hybrid car). The new record-setting mark is an incredible 76.6 mpg.
Throughout the Niro’s development process, it has been conceived as a dedicated hybrid model. The car will achieve its ultra-low emissions levels and impressive fuel economy with a downsized hybrid powertrain, pairing Kia’s 1.6-liter ‘Kappa’ gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine (105 ps power output and 147 Nm of torque) with a 1.56 kWh lithium-polymer battery pack and 32 kW electric motor. The powertrain’s combined power output and torque will be applied to the road through a highly-efficient six-speed double-clutch transmission.
The platform underpinning the Niro has been engineered specifically to accommodate this next-generation gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain.
The Niro also officially received a Guinness World Record® for the lowest fuel consumption driving across the USA from coast to coast (hybrid car). The new record-setting mark is an incredible 76.6 mpg.
Technology that provides a piece of mind
Based upon a bespoke new platform, the Kia Niro’s body is made of 53% Kia’s proprietary Advanced High Strength Steel resulting in a rigid chasis. Hot stamping of components are also applied to 24 key stress areas, contributing to the class-leading fuel economy and high safety standards. Part of a wider effort by Kia, the extended use of advanced-high strength steel will help Kia reach its target of a 5% reduction in the average weight of new car bodies by 2020 compared to 2014 levels.With a strong, lightweight body and 7-airbag system, the Niro has achieved a 5-STAR Euro NCAP rating, building on Kia’s reputation for producing cars with a strong crash safety performance. The company’s engineering teams are also targeting the highest possible marks from independent safety test organizations around the world, aided by a host of the latest passive, active and pre-collision safety features such as the Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and more.
The high-strength platform will not only result in a high safety rating, but also help minimize noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), a key focus throughout the Niro’s conception. The strong body also enables Kia’s chassis and dynamics experts to give the car a smooth, refined ride and engaging handling characteristics.
10-year lithium battery warranty
Cycle & Carriage Kia gives you an additional piece of mind by offering a 10-year lithium battery warranty on top of the existing 10-year engine warranty and 5-year unlimited mileage warranty.
*****
With all the wonderful features of The Niro, it is time to visit Cycle & Carriage KIA showroom to check it out now!
