Kia used its inaugural Kia EV Day held on Thursday in Seoul, South Korea, to current three upcoming battery-electric automobiles.
Two have been thinly veiled ideas dubbed the EV3 and EV4 and one was a manufacturing mannequin dubbed the EV5. None have been confirmed for U.S. sale, although Kia mentioned the EV5 is into consideration for North America. The EV5 will probably be inbuilt South Korea and China and gross sales within the latter will begin later this yr.
The EV3 idea previews a subcompact crossover that will function a substitute for the present Soul EV. It options the styling of the EV9 mid-size SUV, however on a smaller scale, and if supplied within the U.S. can be priced from about $30,000.
Prototypes are already out testing and gross sales within the first markets are as a result of begin in 2024.
Kia EV4 idea
Kia EV4 idea
Kia EV4 idea
The EV4 idea is a fastback hatch with the footprint of a compact automobile. Its modern form and delicate roof-mounted spoiler level to sporty positioning for the manufacturing mannequin, much like the bigger EV6.
With each ideas, Kia’s designers have relied on minimalist surfaces and sustainable supplies to create a soothing, uncluttered cabin that is pleasant to the atmosphere. Every idea additionally options the now-ubiquitous sprint design the place a single panel combines separate screens for a digital gauge cluster and infotainment hub.
Kia mentioned the ideas additionally function AI know-how that will probably be prepared in time for the EV3’s launch subsequent yr. The know-how, which Kia will ultimately roll out to different EVs, is designed to assist homeowners with elements akin to route steering for vary optimization and charging services, calendar scheduling, media features, and voice activation the place actions might be initiated by participating in conversations.
Kia EV Day, October, 2023
Underpinning Kia’s upcoming EVs will probably be Hyundai Motor Group’s E-GMP platform discovered within the EV6 and EV9, in addition to EVs from Hyundai and Genesis. Particulars on vary and powertrains weren’t talked about.
Kia has ambitions gross sales targets for its EVs. The corporate desires to hit annual gross sales of 1 million EVs as quickly as 2026 and to extend this to 1.6 million by 2030.
To assist obtain these targets, Kia can have 14 EVs in its world lineup by 2027 and can launch no less than two per yr beginning in 2023, which noticed the launch of the EV5 and EV9. At the very least one of many upcoming EVs will probably be a pickup truck for the U.S. Kia may also broaden EV manufacturing to eight vegetation globally by 2025.