Pricing and specifications announced for Kia e-NIRO

Already in production at Kia's Hwasung manufacturing facility in Korea, the all-electric Kia e-Niro will go on sale in the UK from 1 April 2019 priced at £32,995 after deduction of the £3,500 plug-in car grant.

The e-Niro, which made its European debut at the 2018 Paris Motor Show, follows on from the Niro hybrid and PHEV.

The e-Niro is equipped with a high-capacity 64 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack. On the WLTP combined cycle, it provides a driving range of more than 282 miles on a single charge, producing zero on-road CO2 emissions. On the WLTP city cycle, the Kia e-Niro is capable of driving up to 382 miles. The long-distance 64 kWh battery pack is paired with a 201bhp (150kW) motor, producing 395Nm of torque, enabling the Kia e-Niro to accelerate from 0-to-60mph in just 7.5 seconds. Like the Niro Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid variants, the new electric model is front-wheel drive.

In keeping with every Kia, the e-Niro comes with a seven-year or 100,000-mile warranty, subject to certain wear and tear conditions. The warranty additionally covers the battery pack and electric motor for extra peace of mind. It is fully transferable should the car be sold before the time or mileage limits have been reached.

The e-Niro is also equipped with a Drive Mode Select system, enabling owners to tailor their driving experience. Switching between Normal, Eco and Sport modes, Drive Mode Select alters the level of effort required to steer the car, and subtly changes the character of the powertrain. Eco mode maximises the potential for greater efficiency by limiting the maximum torque and power of the motor, softening throttle responses, and offering more relaxed steering inputs. Normal mode is the most suitable for day-to-day driving, combining the innate efficiency and performance of the powertrain with direct steering and throttle responses. Sport mode enhances throttle responses and enables maximum acceleration, as well as weighting up the steering for more decisive responses to driver inputs, bringing the e-Niro's engaging handling character to the fore.