Kia reveals Niro concept in Frankfurt, by Frankfurt and for Frankfurt

Thu, 29 Aug 2013

Although the Frankfurt Motor Show may be home turf to a half dozen German automakers, Kia won't have far to go when it wheels its new concept over to the Messe for the exposition in a couple of weeks. That's because the show car you see here was designed less than a kilometer away from the convention center at Kia's European design center.

It's called the Niro, and it's designed to gauge public interest – particularly the European public's – for a potential new B-segment model. Kia's not saying much else about the project, only that it was directed by its chief European designer Gregory Guillaume and that it "combines a mischievous character in a clearly robust and substantial yet stylish bodyshape" and that it incorporates stainless steel and other materials into its shape.

What we can see from the images (which you can view in the gallery above) distributed with the press release (below) is a compact crossover coupe with Kia's trademark grille (part of the neon green accents), a contrasting greenhouse, and butterfly doors to access a molded cockpit with widescreen infotainment display. For more than that, though, we'll have to wait until the concept is revealed in Frankfurt on September 10.

KIA NIRO CONCEPT TO BE UNVEILED AT FRANKFURT

Kia has confirmed that its dramatic new European concept, to be unveiled at the 65th Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung (IAA) in Frankfurt, will be called the Kia Niro.

The Kia Niro hints at a possible future B-segment contender ready to take on the urban environment with style and tenacity, and will preview an innovative new powertrain when it is revealed on 10 September. The car was designed at Kia's Frankfurt design studio – less than a kilometre away from the IAA – under the direction of Gregory Guillaume, Chief Designer Europe.

Accepting any challenge that the assured modern motorist may throw at it, Niro combines a mischievous character in a clearly robust and substantial yet stylish bodyshape featuring a mix of contrasting materials – including stainless steel elements – in compact, purposeful dimensions.

Born out of Kia's determination to seek new compact-car options for the individualistic and demanding driver for whom size is an issue, Niro features intriguing elements not always associated with smaller cars and has been created in Europe with European tastes and expectations very much in mind.

Niro's unveiling in Frankfurt will be used to gauge potential customer response for future showroom models.

By Noah Joseph