The new Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid, revealed for the first time at the 2017 Geneva International Motor Show in early March, combines crossover versatility and design appeal with maximum fuel efficiency from its advanced new plug-in hybrid powertrain.

The Niro Plug-in Hybrid will go on sale across Europe during Q3 2017, pairing an economical 1.6-liter GDI (gasoline direct injection) engine with an 8.9 kWh high-capacity lithium-polymer battery pack. The latest addition to Kia's hybrid crossover range substantially reduces emissions over the more conventional Niro hybrid - engineers are targeting combined CO2 emissions below 30 g/km (New European Driving Cycle) and a zero-emissions pure- electric driving range of over 55 kilometres.

The Niro Plug-in Hybrid features regenerative braking technology to harvest kinetic energy and recharge the battery pack while coasting or braking, while a new Eco Driving Assistant System (Eco DAS) provides drivers with intelligent guidance on how to drive more efficiently under current conditions. Eco DAS includes Coasting Guide Control (CGC) and Predictive Energy Control (PEC), enabling drivers to maximize fuel mileage by suggesting when to coast or brake, and using or harvesting electrical energy depending on the topography of the road ahead. The car's touchscreen infotainment system displays the battery charge levels and the locations of nearby charging stations.

Alongside the Niro, the all-new Optima Sportswagon Plug-in Hybrid was the second car unveiled in Geneva with an advanced hybrid powertrain. Due on-sale across Europe from Q2 2017, the new derivative combines the tourer versatility of the conventional Optima Sportswagon with the high-efficiency powertrain found in the Optima Plug-in Hybrid sedan, introduced towards the end of 2016.

With a total power output of 205 ps and a high 375 Nm maximum torque, the Optima Sportswagon Plug-in Hybrid gives drivers a pure electric range of over 60 kilometres (development targets), and emits just 34g/km CO2 (combined, development targets).

The car is equipped with an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system available with Android AutoTM and Apple CarPlayTM, as well as Kia Connected Services powered by TomTomTM, providing live traffic updates, speed camera alerts and weather forecasts. The Optima Sportswagon Plug-in Hybrid is available with Kia's wireless smartphone charger, letting users charge mobile devices on the move. A suite of active safety technologies help drivers avoid or mitigate the effects of a collision.

Editor's note:

Niro PHEV product features & specifications are for the European market and may differ depending on region. Optima Sportswagon is sold only in the European market.