
Kia Motors has launched the Niro PHEV SUV, the first plug-in hybrid sport utility vehicle in Korea.
The plug-in hybrid version arrives a year after the Niro hybrid SUV was introduced in Korea last year, immediately breaking the monthly sales record in green car segment.
The Niro Plug-In Hybrid can travel up to 840 kilometers (522 miles) — 40 kilometers (25 miles) on a single charge from high-efficiency lithium-polymer battery pack and 800 km (497 miles) on a combined gasoline-electric drive.
The Niro PHEV is equipped with the new-generation Kappa 1.6-liter GDI engine combined with a 32 kW electric motor. The engine and motor jointly produce a maximum of 141 horsepower with torque of 27 kilogram-force meters.
Without the government’s consumer subsidies of 5 million won, the Kia Niro PHEV is priced at 33.05 million won and 35.35 million won ($29,400-$31,100) depending on features.
[source: Korea Herald]