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By Carsales Staff
Kia is set to prove that good things come in small packages with the next model in its electric vehicle roll-out.
The South Korean car maker recently revealed its EV3, the fourth model in its burgeoning range of dedicated battery-powered cars and confirmed it will offer up to 600km of driving range when it launches in Australia in 2025.
That figure is further than any of its other EVs, which now includes the EV6 sedan and the mid-sized EV5 and seven-seat EV9 SUVs.
Kia has yet to confirm further details, such as the exact timing of its arrival, final specifications and the model line-up, but has outlined the fundamental elements of its new compact SUV, which will likely become its most affordable electric vehicle with a sub $50k price tag.
The EV3 will begin production with a 150kW/283Nm front-mounted electric motor and available globally with the option of two battery backs, a 58.3kWh unit in the entry-level ‘Standard’ version or an 81.4kWh module in the flagship Long Range model.
Kia executives have confirmed that future versions will be offered with a twin-motor configuration and all-wheel drive, including a high-performance GT model, but have yet to outline any further details.
Although Kia has confirmed the EV3 Long Range, with the larger battery pack, will provide 600km of driving range, it has yet to reveal the official figure for the ‘EV3 Standard’, but we’d guess it’ll be somewhere north of 450km, perhaps nudging 500km.
Similarly, it has outlined that the Long Range’s battery can be replenished between 10-80 percent in 31 minutes on a DC fast-charger but hasn’t stipulated the maximum charging power or key charging specs for the lesser unit.
Regardless, it’s highly unlikely to be the same high-capacity 350kW capability as the EV6 and EV9, given the EV3 uses a lower-grade 400V (rather than 800V for the larger vehicles) version e-GMP platform.
Pitched at the very heart of the compact SUV market, the EV3 measures 4300mm long, 1850mm wide and 1560mm tall, and rides on a 2680mm wheelbase, offering a 460-litre boot and a 25-litre frunk with seating for five.
The cabin features the obligatory blend of modern EV sustainable materials, including recycled fabrics (dash and door trims) and trims made from recycled plastic for the seats, headliner, door armrests, garnishes, floor mats and language board.
The interior is dominated by Kia’s now-familiar dual-screen cockpit layout comprising twin 12.3-inch digital displays for the instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen with a portrait-style 5.0-inch climate control panel sandwiched in between them, as per the bigger EV9.
Below the infotainment system is a row of integrated shortcut buttons – also as per the EV9 – which in turn sit above a volume dial and the central air-vents.
The front seats are split by a multi-level centre console offering an open-top storage compartment beneath a sliding armrest that Kia says can double as makeshift workplace, or at least somewhere to put a laptop or tablet while the car recharges.
Kia claims that EV customers have been asking for more entertainment options or other ways to kill time while their vehicle recharges, which is why the EV3 features the latest ccNC multimedia operating system and LG’s Automotive Content Platform – allowing access to streaming services and arcade games.
The infotainment system’s other headline act is the inclusion of Kia’s new AI Assistant, making it the Korean brand’s first EV – and its second model after the new K4 sedan – to feature the tech.
It works together with the onboard voice command system to enhance the user experience and can be employed to alter any number of key functions, including the climate control.
Technical highlights beyond the infotainment system include a super-sized 12-inch head-up display, the latest version of its i-Pedal one-pedal driving system, vehicle-to-load (V2L) appliance charging functionality, a digital key, dynamic torque vectoring, and a Harman Kardon sound system in top-grade versions.
Not all these features will be available on all variants but are expected to be standard on the traditional flagship GT-Line trim, along with a unique body kit, specific alloy wheels and a bespoke exterior paint colour palette, plus a sporty black interior colourway to help set it apart.
It is anticipated that all models will be equipped with a comprehensive suite of active safety functions, including forward collision avoidance assist, lane keeping assist, highway driving assist and reverse parking collision avoidance assist.
Australian pricing for the all-new Kia EV3 won’t be announced until closer to its local release next year, but global Kia execs nominated a $US35,000-$US50,000 target price bracket, which suggests a starting price around $50k and pretty much on par with local estimations made earlier this year.
Disclaimer: Images supplied by Kia Australia.
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