Kia Habaniro Concept previews next e-Niro

The Kia Habaniro Concept has been revealed at the New York Motor Show, giving an early indication of what the next-generation e-Niro will look like when it arrives in 2021.

The Habaniro Concept is fully electric, however the new Niro will follow the current model in having electric, plug-in hybrid and petrol-electric hybrid variants.

Kia claims a range of over 300 miles for the Habaniro, although no details regarding battery size have been disclosed. Performance figures have also been kept under wraps for now.

The Korean company has at least revealed that the Habaniro features two electric motors, providing four-wheel drive. The current e-Niro uses a single electric motor, powering just the front wheels.

Measuring 4,430mm long, the Habaniro Concept is 75mm longer than the current Niro, while the wheelbase has also grown from 2,700mm to 2,830mm to increase space for passengers.

The slimmer variation of the Kia 'tiger nose' grille on the Habaniro is expected to stay in place on the eventual production car, as are the ‘heartbeat’ LED daytime running lights and bolder proportions.

Meanwhile, the dark grey cladding at the front and the ‘Lava Red’ highlights are expected to be toned down by the time the car hits showrooms.

The Habaniro Concept sits on 20-inch wheels, with butterfly doors similar to those on the BMW i3. However, Kia is expected to revert to a more conventional five-door setup on the production car.

The interior is far less representative of the car we’ll see in 2021: there are no buttons on the dashboard, while the interior is lined with bright red upholstery to match the exterior highlights.

Information is projected onto a head-up display that stretches across the width of the windscreen, while the dashboard acts as a digital instrument panel that responds to the driver’s touch using ‘Sensory Light Feedback’ technology.

The climate control is similarly advanced, automatically distributing air throughout the interior as soft, ambient light in the floor helps create a relaxing environment inside.

The theme of passenger comfort continues with ‘Level 5’ autonomous capability, allowing the Habaniro Concept to drive itself as its occupants unwind.