A mysterious prototype was caught by our colleagues at ShortsCar a week ago in South Korea. Now and thanks to our colleagues at SH Proshots we can confirm this will be a variant of the upcoming KIA EV4, specifically, a hatchback variant which was spied while testing near Hyundai-Kia Technical Center in Germany.
“Electric vehicles are the biggest influence on Kia’s sales and profits. We plan to flexibly respond to market changes in the medium to long term. The EV3, EV4, and EV5 will be launched sequentially, and we are determined to make these three models successful.” said Kia’s Vice President.
What is EV4?
Meanwhile, from the EV3 to EV5 we already known, all will be dedicated electric vehicles using the E-GMP and positioned as follows: EV3 as a small SUV, EV4 as a compact sedan, and EV5 as a compact SUV. Especially, the compact sedan K3’s successor model ‘K4’ that is already launched globally in the first half of this year. Thus, the KIA EV4, taking over from the K3, will play a more critical role as the only EV sedan in the brand.
The A pilar and front and rear doors are borrowed from EV4, while the rear design cuts dramatically like a hatchback
Currently, in the domestic electric car market, there is no compact sedan, with the mid-size sedan segment occupied by the IONIQ 6. Therefore, the release of the EV4 is expected to indirectly compete with imported electric vehicles like the Tesla Model 3. Kia has announced that the EV3~EV4 will be launched in the global market for $35,000 to $50,000.
Updated factory line for KIA EV4
Meanwhile, Kia recently completed preparations for electric car production at the Gwangmyeong Plant 2 after eight months of conversion work. This former factory that produced Pride and Stonic has secured the capacity to produce 150,000 electric vehicles annually. As Hyundai Motors has not yet established a dedicated electric vehicle production base in Korea, Kia’s Gwangmyeong Plant has taken the title of the group’s first.
Details about the EV4’s specifications are not yet widely known, but it is likely to be front-wheel-drive based on the E-GMP. The budget lineup may include a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery and a 400V system, as previously released in the Chinese market with the EV5. An interior maximizing the advantages of dedicated electric vehicles, with a completely flat floor and minimalist design, is expected.
