This smallest offering in the all-electric Kia range thus far is set to make its official debut on May 23rd.
Things certainly move fast at Kia, because not even six months have elapsed since the preview of its EV3 concept for the South Korean automaker to already announce that a production version will officially debut in a fortnight’s time.
Though perhaps the bigger recent news regarding this compact e-SUV is that if the three official teaser images recently released is anything to go by at least, it would certainly appear that Kia design chief Karim Habib was to be true to his word, when he said the production EV3 would closely mirror that of the concept. Continuing a (welcome) trend therefore of the South Korean automaker bringing its rather bold designs to a production reality.
These three teaser images show for the smallest offering (to date) Kia’s production EV lineup will feature much the same boxy profile and angular lines as previously seen on its concept counterpart, with those sharp haunches on its rear third quarter thankfully making it into production as well. This little preview of the EV3 also shows for it to retain the prototype’s sleek front and rear ‘Star Map’ lighting elements, albeit in a slightly thickened form over what was initially showcased.
And while not shown off yet, it is currently expected too for the cabin of the production EV3 will not be all that far off the light and airy affair that previously was seen with its concept counterpart. It is nevertheless reasonable to expect for Kia to thrown in a couple more physical buttons and air vents into the mix though, as well as fit a more conventional steering wheel and pedal set.
As for further technical details regarding the EV3, it is all but confirmed for this compact Kia e-crossover to be based upon the Hyundai Motor Group’s modular E-GMP platform. This therefore sees for it to be offered with front-only and dual-motor propulsion options, which in turn is fed by potentially a 58 kWh and 77.4 kWh battery packs.
While on the subject of batteries however, it is interesting to note that Kia is expected to eschew the more technologically advanced 800 V architecture of its larger EV6 and EV9 siblings, in favour of a more affordable (but slower charging) 400 V system for its EV3. Though if the EV5 that runs this same system is anything to go by, this e-crossover should still be able to handle from between 100 kW and 140 kW of DC fast charging depending on battery capacity.
Set to serve as an indirect replacement for the Soul EV and to sit alongside the Niro EV, Kia currently touts for this upcoming as being designed to “enhance the accessibility of electric mobility”. This therefore potentially translates for entry level variants being priced at less than £30,000 (RM 180,000) when it goes on sale internationally later this year, but it remains to be seen if ‘internationally’ would include an imminent local launch here.
