Kia introduces 2017 Niro hybrid and Optima hybrids at Chicago

Kia has introduced its new Niro hybrid utility vehicle, as well as plug-in and non plug-in versions of its Optima hybrid at the Chicago Auto Show.

According to Orth Hedrick, vice president of product planning Kia Motors America, the Niro hybrid utility vehicle is designed to hit the ‘sweet spot’ between outstanding mpg, an engaging driving experience and a design that doesn’t ‘shout hybrid’.

The It is the first vehicle to make use of Kia’s all-new, dedicated eco-car platform and is powered by a Kappa 1.6-litre GDI four-cylinder engine, engineered specifically for hybrid applications. Making 103 horsepower, the new engine marks the first combination of the Atkinson Cycle, cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), GDI and a long-stroke-narrow-bore specification to maximise efficiency.

This motor is paired with a 43hp tractive motor, known as the transmission-mounted electric device (TMED), that works in tandem with the petrol engine to produce 146 horsepower, with 89 g/km CO2 emissions.

In addition to the Niro, Kia also introduced a new plug-in and non plug-in version of its Optima hybrid.

Hedrick described the plug-in version as a ‘critical addition’ to the manufacturers offering that will help it to increase fuel efficiency by 25 per cent across its entire line up by 2020.

The plug-in Optima is powered by an efficient 2.0-litre ‘Nu’ four-cylinder GDI engine, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, with a targeted  power output of 154hp. This is paired with a transmission-mounted 50kW motor, which is 42 per cent more powerful than in the previous Optima Hybrid, with expected efficiency improvements of around 20 per cent.

The non plug-in version of the Optima boasts a compact 2.0-litre GDI four cylinder engine, with an estimated 154hp, paired with a 38kW electric motor for a combined 193hp at 6,000rpm.