Latest Kia Soul EV and Niro EV revealed
An all-new 2020 Kia Soul EV and a 2019 Niro EV are shown among Kia’s 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show line-up.
Both the Soul and the Niro EVs have more range and greater power with a 64kWh liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack helping produce 150kW of power and nearly 400Nm of torque.
Range is reported to exceed 400km, although that’s still being tested with an announcement due early next year.
Both use the combined charging system (CCS) fast-charging.
The Soul and Niro EVs have plenty of tools for drivers to customise their driving experience and their battery usage, with four drive modes – Eco, Comfort, Sport and Eco+ – which automatically adjust power output to the traction motor.
The driving modes also control the level of regenerative braking, air conditioning and heating settings, and enable drivers to set speed limits to help manage operating efficiency in different driving conditions.
The Soul EV has an all-new exterior design that stays true to the car’s boxy origins, featuring restyled front and rear bumpers, with the charging socket on the driver’s side, and its own five-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels.
Advanced features enhance safety – including up to seven airbags – improve the driving experience and provide ease of operation and ownership.
The infotainment system is based on a 10.25-inch colour touchscreen with rear-view monitor and parking guidance. The infotainment package is supported by Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as Bluetooth wireless connectivity with voice recognition.
The motor is similar for both the Soul and Niro EVs.
A revamped ‘UVO’ telematics system allows owners to monitor and control a long range of vehicle operations.
Built at the Gwangju plant in Korea, the new Soul EV goes on sale in the US in the first half of 2019, with Kia’s global markets to follow.
Also on sale early next year, the Niro EV crossover will be built in South Korea at Kia’s Hwaseong manufacturing facility, alongside the Niro hybrid and plug-in hybrid.
Pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale dates for the Soul and Niro EVs.
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