Tuesday, 5 March 2019 | Source : Kia Motors Corporation
Kia demonstrating electrification leadership with Geneva debuts. Debuts for e-Soul, upgraded Niro, and ‘Imagine by Kia’ concept
Kia reveals depth of advanced powertrain line-up with electric vehicle-only Geneva Motor Show display.
World début for fully electric ‘Imagine by Kia’ concept in Geneva
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European début for Kia e-Soul, with long-range, fully electric powertrains
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First show of upgraded Niro Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid, with 100,000 units sold in Europe and 270,000 globally
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Kia debuts new UVO CONNECT telematics technology for Europe
Kia Motors has staked its claim for leadership in advanced powertrain technology. Announcing at the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show with a display made up entirely of electrified vehicles.
Today marks the world début for Kia’s new fully electric ‘Imagine by Kia’ concept. Which is along the fully electric e-Soul. So it’s which makes its European début at the show. Kia has also announced a range of upgrades to the Niro Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid. All with the new variants revealed today.
Demonstrating the depth of its advanced powertrain line-up, every Kia vehicle on show in Geneva employs the brand’s mild-hybrid, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or electric vehicle technology.
Kia has also introduced its new UVO CONNECT telematics technology in Geneva, available on the e-Soul and upgraded Niro Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid. The ‘connected car’ technology introduced to a number of other Kia models in the near future.
World début for fully electric ‘Imagine by Kia’ concept
The ‘Imagine by Kia’ concept, revealed for the first time today in Geneva. Which are designed at the company’s European design centre in Frankfurt.
A visual embodiment of its want to move forward into the exciting world of electrification. So this concept is Kia’s first pure electric four-door passenger car. Intentionally designed to not sit within the industry’s predefined vehicle categories. Plus it coherently draws together elements of a muscular sports utility vehicle. That’s a sleek and athletic family saloon and a versatile and spacious crossover.
The ‘Imagine by Kia’ concept represents a more progressive Kia design language for the future. All with intelligent reinterpretations of existing Kia motifs and a bodywork characterized by a blend of tautly-drawn sheet metal, crisp lines, and efficient aerodynamics.
Kia’s European design team fully exploited the chassis architecture of the powertrain’s all-electric layout. They did this to maximize cabin space and create an airy and spacious interior. In a humorous riposte to the industry’s current obsession with ever-increasing dashboard screens, the concept features 21 individual ultra high-resolution screens. These curve their synchronised way across the top of the dashboard in a layout that is at the same time both casual and coordinated.
While not immediately destined for production, the ‘Imagine by Kia’ concept hints at interior and exterior design elements that could be adapted for future production models from the brand.
In its third generation, the new Kia e-Soul brings long-range, zero-emissions power to the urban crossover class, and becomes more distinctive, dynamic and creative than ever. While the e-Soul embraces the iconic design and playful character of its predecessors, it is powered in Europe exclusively by electric energy, with a choice of two long-range, zero-emissions powertrains. The e-Soul’s new-generation battery packs – either 64 kWh or 39.2 kWh in capacity – are up to 30% more energy-efficient than Europe’s current best-selling electric vehicle. The car is offered in Europe without the option of an internal combustion engine.
Fresh, funky and distinctive, the new e-Soul features the same iconic, boxy silhouette, with newly sculpted lines, sharper details, and more technical lighting elements. Inside, the cabin is more high-tech than ever, with its cool design and final functionality accompanied by acoustic-inspired shapes and textures, and a new Sound Mood Lighting system.
The e-Soul is offered with new colour customisation options. Including a range of technologies which includes a wireless smart phone charger. Also heated and ventilated front seats, a Head-Up Display. Finally and a premium Harman Kardon sound system.
At the heart of the e-Soul’s dashboard is Kia’s new 10.25-inch TFT LCD widescreen system, featuring Kia’s new UVO CONNECT telematics system. UVO CONNECT puts a raft of information at owners’ fingertips, including live traffic, weather, and parking availability. For the e-Soul, UVO CONNECT also provides vehicle charging information, including charging station locations, charger availability, and connection compatibility. The system can also be accessed via a UVO smart phone app, providing remote access to a range of vehicle functions.
Depending on country, this includes the ability to remotely activate the climate control system. All to pre-heat or pre-cool the car before a journey. Users can also remotely stop or resume vehicle charging. Which is enabling them to take advantage of cheaper overnight electricity tariffs.
The new e-Soul goes on-sale in select European markets from the end of the first quarter of 2019.
Kia reveals upgrades to Niro Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid.
Making their global début in Geneva, Kia has made a range of enhancements to the Niro Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid. Kia’s best-selling electrified crossover. A crossover which combines style and practicality with ultra-low hybrid emissions. Which features a new exterior design, a more upscale, high-quality interior, and new interior colour customisation options.
Furthermore, the Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid models also now feature Kia’s advanced new UVO CONNECT telematics system. Which is of course introducing more ‘connected’ functionality.
In conclusion and since sales began in 2016, over 270,000 examples of the Niro sold globally. Mind you and with more than 100,000 units sold in Europe. So the Niro crossover was Kia’s fifth best-selling model in Europe in 2018.
All with sales growing 33% to 45,255 units. Which is including 34,642 hybrids and 9,951 plug-in hybrids. The Niro range expanded at the end of 2018 with the launch of the fully electric e-Niro.
European sales of the upgraded Kia Niro Hybrid and Niro Plug-in Hybrid start during the second quarter of 2019. Uniquely among all hybrid cars in Europe, the Niro is sold with Kia’s industry-leading 7-Year, 150,000-kilometre warranty as standard.
Source: Source: The NewsMarket
