Kia has unveiled its plans for the future at CES, highlighted by the Niro EV concept, a compact SUV with a stated range of 383 kilometres, and uses a powerful 150 kW electric motor and a 64 kWh lithium-polymer battery.
The design replaces the Niro's traditional front grille with an interactive display panel and ultra-slim headlights.
Kia is also showcasing its autonomous driving technology, connected cars and plans for a host of eco-friendly vehicles at CES 2018 in Las Vegas. The Niro EV concept makes up part of the automaker’s plans to release 16 electrified vehicles by 2025. That would include hybrids, plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles. The plan also includes a fuel cell electric vehicle, to be launched in 2020, likely related to the Nexo FCEV Hyundai crossover also unveiled at this year's CES.
It also introduces new safety features aimed at pedestrians. Given the silent nature of an EV, Kia has developed what it calls Active Pedestrian Warning System. The cameras and sensors will detect a pedestrian or cyclist crossing in front of the car and will sound an alert to warn them.
Kia is also working toward autonomous driving, with plans to start testing a fleet of car equipped with autonomous technology on city roads by 2019. The goal, the company said, is to commercialize Level 4 autonomous vehicles in smart cities by 2021. That is part of a Smart City pilot project.
Also at CES, Kia announced plans to introduce an in-vehicle 5G connection and make all models connected cars by 2030.
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