Cheeky next to Niro EV
Kia knows absolutely nothing about electric cars. It has an extensive range of new so-called dedicated EVs are in the pipeline and in these spy photos we see the most important ones for Europe. Meet what is likely to be the Kia EV3: a brand new assault on the compact electric crossover.
Kia has a policy in the EV field in which it supplies models that are available with both combustion engines and electric powertrains, but in which it also sells cars that have been developed as electric models in the base. Those so-called dedicated Kia has attached electric models to its EV label. Examples are the EV6 and the much larger EV9. Kia also comes with the EV5, which has already been unveiled in China, but can also be brought to Europe, a complete alternative to the Kia Sportage. But it definitely doesn’t stop there. The Koreans are also introducing an electric crossover in a more compact and extremely important segment in Europe!
Kia EV3
Hold on, Kia already has the Niro EV on offer anyway – we hear you think. Beats like a bus. The Niro EV is of course the electric variant of the Kia Niro, which is also available with hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. So that’s none dedicated electric model and that is also the reason why that car is not called EV3, for example. You can see the car that will probably be called Kia EV3 in these spy photos. Kia therefore dares to park a purely electric model more or less in the same segment as in which it already supplies the Niro. Count on a roughly 4.3 meter long model, just a size smaller than the Niro and more of an EV of Peugeot 2008 format.
The design similarities with this Kia EV9 are obvious.
That the packed electric crossover in these photos is clearly a model of Kia’s EV label is proven by its design. Although it still hangs fanatically in the camouflage stickers, the design-technical similarities with the EV5 and EV9 mentioned cannot be missed. We can already see patches of Kia’s Star Map baptized light units at the front and rear. The wheels of these two snapped test specimens are also specimens that would not look out of place under the EV5 or EV9. Like the EV5 and EV9, this smaller electric crossover also gets lighting at the front, part of which is housed in a vertical strip. We see a striking design element at the rear door. The handle seems to have been incorporated into the window pillar there, which should suggest that it is in the C-pillar.
It is also possible that Kia will not call this newcomer EV3, but EV4, although the brand may keep that designation for a future electric model in the more traditional C-segment. A possible successor to the Ceed family. In April this year, Kia announced the arrival of a compact electric crossover, an electric sedan and another new medium-sized electric SUV for the Chinese market. All cars from the EV line, but the brand also has major EV plans for Europe. So wait for clarity!
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl