Kia has revealed its new compact electric EV3 in full. This model is expected to combine a low, China-chasing price tag with a long 600km range (albeit not simultaneously).
The EV3 should kick off with a price tag close to €30,000 when it does arrive in Ireland in October, although that is very much TBC, and official prices and specifications won’t be announced until much closer to the on-sale date.
Range between 400 and 600km
What we do know is that the EV3 will come with a choice of battery capacity - a basic version with an energy capacity of 58.3kWh and a range of around 400km, and an extended range model with a bigger 81.4kWh battery and a range of up to 600km.
Both versions use the same 204hp electric motor, with 0-100km/h taking 7.5 seconds. The battery can be rapid charged at up to between 102kW and 128kW on DC power, depending on which model EV3 you buy. Although there is some mechanical relationship between this compact EV3 and the bigger EV6 and EV9, the EV3 doesn’t get those cars' expensive 800-volt charging system, hence the slower charging speeds. Still, it’s enough for a 31-minute 10-80 per cent top-up when you’re out and about.
There’s also a clear visual relationship between the EV3 and the big and award-winning EV9 with similarities in surfacing and lighting, a new interpretation of the classic Kia ‘tiger face’ front end and ultra-slim LED lights set in what Kia calls a ‘Star Map’ lighting layout. The EV3’s surfacing is exceptionally clean and crisp, and it really does look like a larger EV9 that somehow shrunk in the wash.
Fold-out table
Inside, there’s a broad digital dashboard which incorporates three screens - one for the driver’s instruments, one for the infotainment system, and a small screen between those which takes care of many of the climate control functions. In the centre console, you’ll find both a storage area and a slide-out table (perfect for those charging-time coffees), while there’s also ambient lighting, and seats that can be folded into a relaxed, reclined position when stationary (again, for keeping you comfy while charging).
There’s also a firm emphasis on recycled materials, with the cloth surfaces of the cabin being made from recycled stuff, while there’s liberal use of polyethylene terephthalate (PET - the stuff plastic bottles are made from), which is among the most easily recycled plastics in the world, features in numerous areas of the interior, including the seats, headliner, door armrests, garnish, floor mats, and luggage board.
Speaking of luggage, the EV3 might be compact but it’s also practical, with a 460-litre boot and a 25-litre ‘frunk’ storage are in the nose.
Active torque distribution
A good deal of tech has also gone into the EV3’s makeup. The powertrain features active torque distribution, while on the safety front, there’s forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, highway driving assist, and reverse parking collision-avoidance assist. Kia has also fitted a new ‘one-pedal’ regenerative braking system with adjustable levels of braking. You also get vehicle-to-load connections, allowing the EV3 to charge up other electric devices such as e-bikes and e-scooters, while access is controlled by a new digital key setup, which uses your smartphone or smart watch as the car key.
In the big screen, Kia has worked with fellow South Korean giant LG to produce a new entertainment system called the Automotive Content Platform, which includes streaming movies and TV and gaming. There will also eventually be artificial intelligence for the voice control system, although that’s still in development and will be initially launched in the South Korean market before spreading to the rest of the world.