The new all-electric Kia Niro EV has gone on sale in Korea prior to its planned European debut at this year’s Paris motor show. Kia says an expected WLTP long-distance driving range of up to 280 miles (450 kilometres) makes it one of the most capable electric vehicles on sale.

The Niro EV sits alongside the existing Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid variants of the car – of which more than 200,000 have sold globally since the Niro’s introduction in 2016 (including more than 65,000 European sales). The Korean carmaker has received more than 5,000 pre-orders for the Niro EV in its domestic market since the car was first revealed earlier this year.

The Niro EV is to be Kia’s second globally-sold electric vehicle after the Soul EV. The new model will make its European debut at the 2018 Paris Motor Show this October, and will go on sale in Europe by the end of 2018. Full UK specification pricing and on-sale date will be announced in due course.

A high-capacity 64 kWh lithium-polymer battery pack affords an estimated driving range of up to 280 miles (450 kilometres) on a single charge with zero emissions. Plugged into a 100 kW fast charger, it takes 54 minutes to recharge the Niro EV’s battery to 80 per cent. In addition a 39.2 kWh lithium-polymer battery pack, with a range of up to 186 miles (300 kilometres) from a single charge will also be available.

Power is provided to the front wheels through a 150 kW (201 bhp) motor, producing 291 ft lbs of torque from a standstill, for acceleration from 0 to 100 kph (62 mph) in just 7.8 seconds. The battery pack is located low down in the body, beneath the boot floor.

Matching the forward-looking nature of its powertrain, the Niro EV offers drivers a range of Kia’s ‘Advanced Driver Assistance Systems’, supporting the driver in various environments and scenarios to mitigate the risk of a collision.

The Niro EV differentiates itself from the existing Niro Hybrid and Niro Plug-in Hybrid with a series of exclusive design features. Taking inspiration from the Niro EV Concept unveiled at the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the exterior is based on a ‘Clean and High-tech’ design concept. Its futuristic and aerodynamic ‘tiger-nose’ grille features an integrated charging port, bearing a ‘de-bossed’ Niro logo. Redesigned air intakes and new arrowhead-shaped LED daytime running lights combine with light-blue trim highlights to help it stand out further.

When the Niro was first launched in 2016, its new platform had been engineered to accommodate a variety of advanced powertrains. The wheelbase is 2,700-mm while the body is 1,805 mm wide and 1,560 mm tall. Kia says that at 4,375 mm in length, it offers more cargo space – 451 litres (VDA) – than many other plug-in and electric vehicles.