As part of its inaugural 'Kia EV day', Kia has been showing off a raft of new electric models and concept cars, including the new Sportage-sized EV5. Arguably the most important model to be shown, though, is this - the EV3 concept.
Sub-€30,000 price?
Why is this one so important? Simple - it will be the most affordable Kia electric model yet when it eventually reaches production sometime in late 2024 or early 2025. In fact, the EV3 will probably have a price tag of less than €30,000 (tax-dependent, of course) when it does go on sale.
The EV3's design draws on the bigger EV9 seven-seat SUV and the incoming new EV5. It's a blunt-faced design, with a relatively low-slung roof for a crossover and with ultra-slim LED lights at the front.
"Joy can be seen as the antithesis of reason. One is a positive, emotional response, and the other is derived from logic. When the two are combined, their contrasting qualities merge into a powerful and highly impactful design," Karim Habib, Executive Vice President and Head of Kia Global Design Center, said. "With the Concept EV3, the 'Joy for Reason' influence is evident in the contrasting qualities of a robust body combined with a dynamic silhouette. In addition, the unexpected treatment of volumes and graphics simultaneously interlock with each other, creating a logical yet emotional design."
Mushroom-based fabric
Kia claims that the EV's cabin has been designed to "feel joyful to travel in, while providing ample space to support an active lifestyle once occupants reach their destination." The overall design is broadly similar to that of Kia's other EV models but with a small hexagonal steering wheel with the Kia logo offset to the right and soft fabric covers for the dashboard and doors. Those materials are supposedly from sustainable sources, including mycelium, a fabric grown from cultivated mushroom roots that can be treated like leather.
Flip-up back seats
Between the seats, there's a large armrest that doubles up as a table (or almost an ironing board...), while the seats are said to have 'natural' structures rather than plastic or steel. In the back, the rear seats mimic those of the Honda Jazz by having flip-up seat bases that allow you to load tall, slim items into the back. Kia says that the space is ideal for an e-bike or e-scooter, and there's a socket back there to allow you to charge an e-device like that up from the car's own battery.
As this is just a concept, there are no provisional performance figures yet, but at a sub-€30,000 price, the EV3, when it reaches production, will have to be able to provide around 400km of range to be competitive.