Kia is expected to expand its range of electric models with a new compact crossover, the EV4. Smaller but higher than the EV6, it will target German premium manufacturers.
Kia continues to expand on the path to electrification. After the very successful EV6, a 100% electric crossover voted Car of the Year, the manufacturer will unveil two other SUVs: a seven-seater model derived from the EV9 concept, and a more compact SUV, which could be called EV4.
According to our British colleagues fromAuto Expressthe product director of Kia Europe Sjoerd Knipping has confirmed that the large SUV will be aimed more at the US market, while the more compact model has been developed for Europe. This little brother of the EV6 could take up certain style elements, while being a little more cubic and higher according to the first shots of prototypes crossed in the street under a thick camouflage.
400V or 800V?
The future Kia EV4 should have as targets the Volvo C40 and XC40 Recharge, the Mercedes EQA, the Audi Q4 E-tron and its Sportback coupe derivative, or even the new BMW iX1. It will be based on the same E-GMP platform as the EV6, although with a wheelbase reduced to 2.90 m. The SUV should logically take over the engines of the electric crossover and its battery packs of 58 and 77.4 kWh, offering up to approximately 500 km.
For the moment, Kia still seems to hesitate between 400 and 800V technologies. Knipping pointed out that “not all cars need 800V technology” and mentioned the use of 400V technology on certain segments, even if recharging is slower. But it could save the manufacturing cost. Indeed, in good Kia, the future EV4 should offer an aggressive quality / price ratio. This could favor it against premium German manufacturers, often offering much more expensive vehicles.
Photo: Kia.
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Kia EV6 price: new entry-level 58 kWh
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Volvo C40 Recharge test: our opinion at the wheel of the electric coupé SUV
