The launch of the second generation Kia Niro (codenamed as SG2) is expected before the end of the year, while that happens, Kia is already testing the first pre-production models and our colleagues at AutoPost captured it in South Korea.
What we know so far?
Of course this Niro prototype (codenamed as SG2) is still under heavy camouflage but we can still make out some details that remind us of the concept. Like the first-gen Niro (DE) it is expected to have the same variants, Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid and EV (we already spied it).
As (almost) always the production car will be toned down a lot compared to the concept so there will be no butterfly-wing doors but the overall shape of the body seems to remain.
That means a five door body with a sportier design on the C-pillars. A longer wheelbase in order to give the passengers more space, short overhangs and the boomerang shaped rear lights are also features that have been moved over from the concept.
The Niro Interior is a mix between EV6 & Sportage
The HabaNiro Concept is the first Kia in recent memory to do away with the brand’s signature tiger-nose grille, instead receiving a front end that Kia says resembles a shark’s snout. Since the front end is still heavy covered we cant see much of that new design. The front lights also look like that are provisional at this point so they are not giving us any clues either.
By the looks of it , the grey plastic covering the wheel arches will keep on into the lower parts of the doors reminding us of the design of the HabaNiro doors.
The fully electric HabaNico concept also shows that the next-generation Niro will continue to lead Kia’s electric push. There’ll continue to be three variants: a fully electric version as well as plug-in hybrid and full hybrid models for the production car when it hits the market in 2021 as a 2022 model.
