Ahead of its debut at the 2019 Geneva Auto Show, South Korean carmaker has teased an image its latest all-electric concept that it hopes will get consumer hearts racing.
Designed at Kia’s Frankfurt-based design centre, the carmaker calls it an emotional statement that signifies its vision of an all-electric future.
Although it is also unveiling its Xceed crossover at the annual meeting in Switzerland (which it is believed will also include a PHEV version), it seems that the Kia Soul EV and the Niro EV are not the only offensives the South Korean brand in the all-electric niche has planned.
At first glance, the concept vehicle’s front end looks promising with an illuminated strip that takes the familiar design of the grid of “tiger nose” which is a signature of Kia’s design department over the years.
Overall, the vehicle’s shape suggests an electric vehicle with increased performance.
This is confirmed by the carmaker in its statement: “Automotive design is about capturing the heart and making it beat that bit faster for that bit longer – and we believe that there’s absolutely no reason why that should change simply because the car is electric,” says Gregory Guillaume, VP of design at Kia Europe.
“We imagined designing an all-electric car that not only answered consumer concerns around range, performance, recharging networks and driving dynamism, but one that also gave you goose bumps when you looked at it, and made the hairs on the back of your neck stand up when you drove it,” he said.
“That’s why our all-electric concept is designed to not only get your pulse racing, but to also signpost our holistic and emotional approach to electrification.”
While there of course no definite specifications for battery, range or output, whatever Kia finally unveils on March 5, this announcement of Kia demonstrates that senior management are seriously considering adding performance vehicles to its electric fleet.
Nevertheless, whether or not Kia come through with something that has a bit more oomph, the carmaker’s continued delays and silence on when the Kia e-Niro will be launched in Australia means that at least here, its electric reputation may suffer.
Bridie Schmidt is associate editor for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She has been writing about electric vehicles since 2018, and has a keen interest in the role that zero-emissions transport has to play in sustainability. She has participated in podcasts such as Download This Show with Marc Fennell and Shirtloads of Science with Karl Kruszelnicki and is co-organiser of the Northern Rivers Electric Vehicle Forum. Bridie also owns a Tesla Model Y and has it available for hire on evee.com.au.