2017 Kia Niro Hybrid Revealed, Promises 50 MPG Combined: Live Photos & Video

Previewed in concept form almost three years ago, Kia’s first dedicated hybrid, the Niro, has finally been revealed. It’s a compact crossover that isn’t related to any other model in Kia’s lineup. In fact, it’s said to have a dedicated platform.

The Niro is set to go on sale later this year, as a 2017 model, and Kia is promising owners can expect combined fuel economy of up to 50 mpg. That’s thanks in part to lightweight construction. There’s plenty of advanced materials such as high-strength steels, hot-stamped components and the latest in industrial joint adhesives.

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Of course, there’s also the hybrid powertrain. The internal combustion component is a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine running the Atkinson Cycle. It works together with an electric motor integrated with the transmission, in this case a six-speed dual-clutch unit. Peak output of the system is 146 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. The battery is a 1.56-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion polymer.