KIA has released the first official images of its new Niro hybrid crossover which will be making its European debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

The Niro is the first model to use the Korean brand's new eco-car platform which it has developed using small capacity petrol-electric powertrains and Kia says it will be capable of averaging more than 70mpg with emissions below 90g/km.

When the car was first seen in concept form at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2013 Kia said it would be powered by a 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine delivering 160 horsepower mated to an electric motor which takes the total output to 205hp.

As a crossover, the Niro is a compact SUV styled in a similar vein to the larger new Kia Sportage which is due be released in the next few weeks.

The Niro has been created at Kia's design studios in South Korea and in California and will have its global debut in the United States at the Chicago Auto Show in February.