Kia published a set of teaser sketches and a video depicting the second generation Niro, while confirming its debut date at the 2021 Seoul Mobility Show on November 25. The C-segment SUV has been spied testing several times in the past year, with the first sightings on December 2020. The prototypes have been gradually shedding their camouflage revealing a design that is heavily inspired by the 2019 HabaNiro concept, incorporating Kia’s “Opposites United” design philosophy.
Kia’s latest design sketches reveal the
quirky LED headlights mounted low on the front bumper and the thin horizontal
grille above them that’s highlighted with a chrome strip. The rear is
characterized by the thin and vertically arranged taillights following the
shape of the signature red-painted C-pillars creating a dual-tone effect.
Inside, the Niro gets a redesigned
dashboard with a single panel integrating the digital instrument cluster and
the infotainment touchscreen, similar to the Kia Sportage. We can also see a
high-mounted center tunnel with what appears to be a start-stop button and a
new kind of ambient lighting on the asymmetric dashboard featuring diagonal
forms.
The second-generation Kia Niro is expected
to be offered in both PHEV and EV form, which means it probably won’t be based
on the latest electric-only E-GMP architecture. Most likely, the model will
ride on an updated version of its predecessor’s platform, while offering an
increased electric range in both electrified variants. As a reminder, the
first-generation Niro was unveiled in 2016 and received a facelift in 2019.
We will learn more about the new model at
the 2021 Seoul Mobility Show. The official premiere is scheduled for 11:30 am
KST on November 25, which equals 9.30 pm EST on November 24.
