With less than two weeks to go until the Frankfurt Motor Show, Kia showed off some pictures and provided some information on their new concept car, the Kia Niro.

According to Kia, the Niro concept is a small urban SUV and a possible future entry to compete with the likes of the Nissan Juke and MINI Countryman. Kia is testing how the Niro will be received at the show and whether there’s a place for it to succeed in the automotive market. Most likely, the Niro will not make its way into North America and will be aimed for the European market, where small SUVs are the rave.

As with many concepts, the design is futuristic and catchy. The pictures showcase Kia’s trademark grille outlined by a fluorescent yellow colour that appears throughout the exterior on the tires, and front and rear bumpers. It’s nicely sculpted throughout with a low roofline and a stainless steel top giving it a sporty appeal. Kia has also provided the Niro with gullwing doors – always a way to bring about lots of attention.

The Niro will also be powered by a new engine. There were no details provided as to what engine would be included, but whatever it is, it could find its way into other upcoming Kia products.

The Kia Niro will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show on September 10th, so stay tuned for any future updates. Below you will find the official Kia press release on the Kia Niro.

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Frankfurt, Germany – 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 September 10th.  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 body shape 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.