Kia introduced the Niro EV Concept at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) this week. The fully-electric compact crossover serves to demonstrate the South Korean automaker's vision for the future of mobility.
Kia's new "Boundless for all" vision aims to provide customers with advanced technologies that were once thought to be of the distant future, such as autonomous driving and vehicle-to-everything connectivity.
"Consumers are bound today by the idea that a car is 'just a vehicle,' but Kia is committed to providing a broader solution to mobility. 'Boundless for all' represents a future in which a vehicle can be so much more than the sum of its parts," said Dr. Woong-chul Yang, vice chairman and head of Kia R&D Center.
The Niro EV Concept previews in-car technologies that could be used by Kia's future vehicles — one of which is a new human machine interface (HMI). With this system, the infotainment system and temperature controls can be controlled by touch and gesture. The steering wheel acts as a remote wherein drivers can input different gestures onto a perforated area on its base. They will be able to change music, turn up the volume and adjust cabin temperature.
Meanwhile, a digital dashboard provides pertinent vehicle information and powertrain status. Drivers will be able to log into the system via face or voice recognition and upon doing so, the system will adjust settings according to the preferences of that specific individual.
Meanwhile, Kia also demonstrated the first in-vehicle 5G connection that will allow seamless streaming of content.
In terms of design, the Kia Niro EV Concept features a more stylish design compared to the production version of the compact crossover — which is already available with hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. It utilizes an aerodynamic design with a sleek silhouette as well as clean and sharp edges that allows air to pass through the vehicle with ease.
Since it is a fully-electric vehicle, the traditional grille, which is usually needed for engine cooling, has been replaced with an interactive display.
As for the powertrain, the Kia Niro EV Concept comes with a 64-kWh lithium-polymer battery and a 201-horsepower electric motor. According to the automaker, this will translate to 238 miles of emissions-free driving.
The production version of the Kia Niro EV Concept is expected to arrive in 2020.
