Pricing adjustments feature across broader product span

FOUR hybrids, four plug-in hybrids and two fully electrics – that’s the state of play for the updated Niro, outlined by Kia New Zealand today.

The petrol-electrics, which run a 1.6-litre engine and battery assist, span four trim lines – Light, Earth, Water and GT-Line – with the mild models pricing from $39,990 to $57,990 while the plug-ins run from $49,990 to $67,990.

The fully electric editions, with a 64kWh powertrain, configure in Light and Water trims, for $67,990 and $73,990 respectively.

All models gain eligibility for Clean Car rebates, these being $3418 for the hybrid, $5750 for the PHEV and $8625 for the full electric, which previously priced above the cut-off for Government funding assistance.

The Auckland-based national distributor has indicated immediate availability for the line, which represents as a clever rebody of the previous generation model that has been around for six years.

Kia NZ general manager Todd McDonald describes it as being “very nearly a clean sheet redesign.”

Information from his office says the hybrid in Light and Earth trims and the PHEV Light carry introductory retail pricing set to be offered for a limited period.

Though it has been improved for a second time around the block, the fully electric models’ technology is a generation behind the 800-volt E-GMP architecture that underpins the EV6 and its Hyundai fraternal twin, the Ioniq 5.

In its previous optimal form, the battery-wedded Niro was an $85,000 choice – so, dearer than some EV6s have been.

When EV6 released in March, two variants were priced below the $80,000 Clean Car cut-off. Now just the cheapest is, and the margin has reduced.

There was conjecture on a popular electric vehicle owner forum last month that EV6 prices were altered to make way for the fully electric Niro. At same token, though, it has been widely reported that huge increases in core materials for batteries have triggered increases in electric vehicle prices around the world.

Powering the hybrid variant, whose predecessor remains listed as an available model on the Kia NZ website, is a revised 77kW/144Nm 1.6-litre non-turbo four-cylinder petrol engine, paired to a 32kW electric motor and six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission for 104kW/265Nm combined, and claimed fuel economy of 4.0 litres per 100 kilometres.

The all-out electric model uses a front-mounted 150kW/255Nm motor and a 64.8kWh battery pack for 460km of claimed driving range.

The PHEV delivers an optimal 55kms’ electric range.

The line delivers more comforts and safety features than the car previously had and more expensive types have a V2L (Vehicle 2 Load) external appliance powering system.