The new Kia EV lineup includes the PV5, EV9, EV3, EV5 and EV4 (All photos: Kia)
After chalking up a record-high third quarter, Kia Corp, alongside larger sibling Hyundai Motor Co, is right on track to claim the global No 2 spot from Volkswagen this year, putting the South Korean group that much closer on the heels of the world’s biggest automaker, Toyota.
Following its rebranding in 2021, Kia has maintained momentum in its expansion strategy towards the field of sustainable mobility. At the first-ever Asia Pacific Kia EV Day held at the Taipei Performing Arts Centre in Taiwan, the carmaker provided a glimpse of what is in store for the region.
The Kia EV3 was the centre of attention. Flanked by the flagship seven-seater EV9 and crossover EV5, the electric compact SUV, which first made its global debut in May, is primed to tap the entry-level segment. It is slated to go on sale in selected Asia-Pacific countries in 2025, though there is no specific release date or pricing for Malaysia yet.
Sharply styled, the EV3 essentially distils all the innovative technology, practicality and design of the flagship EV9 into a smaller, but no less mighty, package. A robust body, dynamic volumes, geometric lines and squared wheel arches create an eye-catching silhouette, which is especially delightful in Pistachio Green.
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“In the case of Kia, design is not just building visual expressions but shaping the brand by building a strong identity,” says Teck-Koun Kim, head of Kia Next Design Group. “Our brand attributes are progressive, simple and responsible. Those are the values we’re pursuing and the design philosophy goes along with that direction. What’s really important here is to combine humanity with design, to create a unique and better experience digitally and physically to improve the lifestyle and life quality of our customers.”
Part of Kia’s design sustainability strategy is to integrate more eco-friendly materials into its cars and phase out animal-based leathers. The EV3’s interior incorporates all of the brand’s latest bio-based materials, including bio-paint extracted from plants; bio-plastic synthesised from sugar cane; PET fabric from recycled plastics; and bio polyurethane, a leather alternative.
Enhanced by soft mood lighting, the cabin opens up to a spacious interior with a completely flat architecture — enabled by Kia’s Electric Global Modular Platform — providing generous space and lounge-style comfort for all occupants. Grocery runs and road trips are a cinch with the practical 460L boot, which increases to 1,250L with the rear seats folded down.
Moving to the cockpit, you will find a minimalist dashboard with a triple-panaromic display. It comprises a 12.3in navigation screen, 12.3in driver display screen and 5.3in segment display sandwiched in between for climate adjustment. Good news: The EV3 retains tactile controls for essential functions. Other practical features include a retractable tray table on the centre armrest, which can be used to prop up a laptop as the car charges.
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The Kia Connect Store is evolving, too, providing the system with over-the-air updates as well as access to video streaming apps such as Netflix to keep your party entertained.
The EV3 will be offered in two variants — Short Range and Long Range. The former gets a 58.3kWh battery capable of delivering up to 436km WLTP range and will fast-charge from 10% to 80% in 29 minutes. Meanwhile, the latter boasts a larger 81.4kWh battery that boosts mileage up to 605km. Juicing it up from 10% to 80% will take only 31 minutes.
The electric motor fitted in both variants has a max power of 150kW and torque of 283Nm, which can launch the Short Range EV3 from 0 to 100kph in 7.5 seconds and the Long Range in 7.7.
As part of its strategic expansion, Kia intends to diversify its electric vehicle portfolio across multiple price segments and adapt its offerings to suit the specific demands of each market. Ki Seok Ahn, president and CEO of Kia Asia Pacific, clarifies: “We’re not pushing volume to market. But our long-term target for 2030 [is] 1.6 million EV sales.”
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Looking forward
When Kia introduced its new “Opposites United” design philosophy in 2023, it heralded a new era for the brand. The credo espouses the combination of contrasting qualities, exploring the synergies between them to engender a new identity.
There are five pillars that form its foundation, but Power to Progress, which zeroes in on the skills, expertise and creativity of the Korean carmaker’s season of design-led transformation, forms the crux of the Concept EV4, a futuristic sedan with striking, racecar-like features.
A low nose, dynamic long-tail silhouette, imposing stance and vertical headlamps enliven the EV4 with an aggressive exterior, but its visual softens once you enter the cocoon-like cabin. Embracing earth-inspired aesthetics, the spacious interior is swathed in recycled cotton, dyed naturally with madder roots and walnut shells. A slimmed-down instrument panel and pin-style air vents help retain a minimalist look.
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Kia is also bringing its Purpose Built Vehicle, renamed Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV), to life, which represents the brand’s foray into becoming a sustainable mobility solutions provider.
The PV5 sports a robust and simple design focused on delivering customisable, multipurpose configurations, whether to accommodate a wheelchair-bound family member, optimise a logistics and delivery business or perform as a self-driving vehicle for ride-hailing.
“Globally, we have already established partnerships with companies such as Uber, Coupang, CJ Logistics, Kakao Mobility and Dubai Taxi Corporation. We’ll continue to explore future businesses and partnerships to further develop our PBV strategy,” says Hyeongsik Park, head of global product planning.
The mid-sized PV5 will act as the flagship for the PBV line-up, followed by the large PV7 and small PV1 to better serve a diverse range of customer needs.
This article first appeared on Dec 16, 2024 in The Edge Malaysia.
