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The all-electric Kia e-Niro is now available in the UK with three trim levels rather than one, and a more affordable 39kWh battery pack for the first time.
A three-phase 11kW AC charger also makes its debut, which could allow faster charging at workplaces, and this is fitted as standard on the new flagship ‘4+’ grade.
Prices start at £29,595 after the Plug-in Car Grant.
Up until now, the e-Niro has been available in a single, high specification model, but that now changes with an expansion of the line-up to include three versions named ‘2’, ‘3’ and ‘4+’.
For the first time the 39kWh battery pack will be available to UK buyers. The battery is capable of travelling up to 180 miles on a single charge, while on the WLTP city cycle, it can travel up to 251 miles.
The battery pack is paired with a 134bhp (100kW) electric motor that produces 395Nm of torque and allows the e-Niro to accelerate to 60mph in 9.5 seconds. Available on the ‘2’ specification, the 39kWh battery pack model is priced at just £29,595, after the Plug-in Car Grant has been deducted (£32,595 without).
It joins a pair of high specification models in ‘3’ and ‘4+’ grades that feature the high-powered 64kWh battery pack. A driving range of more than 282 miles on a single charge is possible, and up to 382 miles when measured on the WLTP city cycle. The long-distance 64kWh battery pack is combined with a 201bhp (150kW) electric motor with 395Nm of torque and enables acceleration from 0-to-60mph in 7.5 seconds.
The top-of-the-range ‘4+’ edition incorporates an AC 11kW three-phase charger as standard, the first time that it has been offered on the e-Niro.
Charging the lithium-ion polymer battery up to 80 per cent only takes 54 minutes using a 100kW direct current (DC) fast charger, no matter whether the 39kWh or 64kWh e-Niro is chosen. Using a 50kW DC charger, the 39kWh version charges to 80 per cent in 57 minutes, while the 64kWh version takes 75 minutes. Drivers also have the option of charging their car at a compatible regular household power socket using the ICCB-cable (in-cable control box).
Two battery charging cables are supplied with the e-Niro; one with a standard three-pin plug, allowing the car to be connected to a domestic socket, and a Type 2 to Type 2 cable for connection to a public or workplace charging point.
The Kia e-Niro ‘2’ 39kWh model costs £29,595 after the PiCG; the ‘3’ 64kWh costs £33,850; and the ‘4+’ 64kWh costs £36,145.
