Kia’s new Niro

SOUTH-KOREAN manufacturer Kia has unveiled the new Niro, an urban-lifestyle concept car for the B-segment market.

Aimed for the demanding driver for whom size is an issue, the concept features elements not always associated with smaller cars.

It has been created in Europe at Kia’s Frankfurt Desgin Studio with European tastes in mind.

Measuring 4,185cm overall length, 1,850cm width and 1,558cm height place the concept car has relatively compact dimensions.

The two-tone “Nightfall” coloured exterior is offset by a brushed, stainless steel roof.

Enveloping the entire cabin, this two-finish construction gives a techonological edge to Niro’s appearance, the manufacturer claims.

A 2,590cm wheelbase and 1,630cm track ensure the concept car is firmly planted on the road and provides plenty of internal space.

Access to the car is through ingenious ‘butterfly’ doors cut into the roof.

The concept car’s clam-shell seat-backs can accommodate passengers but when folded flat they allow plenty of space for luggage, equipment or cargo.

The cabin stands out thanks to the use of Volcano Black leather on the front dashboard and Limelight aluminium to finish elements.

A fully adjustable pedal box and the deep-dished aluminium and leather steering wheel deliver a perfect seating position, the South-Korean company says.

Ahead of the driver is a super-vision digital instrument binnacle that can be formatted and switched to provide appropriate information.

 It features all the main instruments but additional information is displayed on a centre console-mounted screen.

This screen also allows the active owner to see and record live pictures from the video cameras mounted at the front and rear, in the door mirrors and elsewhere in the car.

The centre screen can also display altitude, vehicle attitude, compass and entertainment information.

Additional touch-sensitive panels allow control of the in-car entertainment and computer functions on the centre screen.