We already knew that Kia planned to unveil the Niro EV concept at CES, but Kia also chose the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show to make some major announcements about its future. Under its new ‘Boundless for all’ vision, Kia will bring a future in which opportunities for mobility and transportation are limitless. Plus its new ‘ACE’ strategy will also make its cars more Autonomous, Connected and Eco/Electric.
According to Kia, ‘Boundless for all’ is its future vision – where everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the infinite value that future mobility will bring. “‘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.
Under that vision, Kia’s ‘ACE’ strategy will bring Level 4 autonomous vehicles to market in 2021, by 2025, Kia will introduce connected car technologies and lastly Kia plans to introduce 16 new green vehicles by 2025. The new vehicles include hybrids, plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles, plus a new fuel-cell electric vehicle in 2020.
“By 2025, we will offer a total of 16 advanced powertrain vehicles, with five new hybrids and plug-in hybrids, five new battery EVs, and an all-new mass market FCEV. Due to launch in 2020, this FCEV will spearhead Kia’s efforts to realize a zero-emission future for mobility,” said Vice Chairman Yang.
Kia is previewing one of the new electric vehicles with the debut of the Niro EV concept at CES. The fully electric SUV is based on the standard Niro, but features unique front and rear fascias. The biggest change is at the front where the traditional grille has been replaced by a smooth interactive display panel. Inside the Niro EV features an entirely new minimalistic interior with new technologies.
The bigger news is that the Niro EV concept is powered by a next-generation electric vehicle powertrain that pairs a 64 kWh lithium-polymer battery pack with a 150 kW electric motor. The Niro EV Concept has a driving range of 238 miles.
Source: Kia