Kia Unveils EV3 And EV4 Concepts At Kia EV Day

Oct. 12, 2023 4:40 AM ET byGerhard Horn Concept /1 Comment

With interiors made of mushrooms.

Kia has released the first images of the EV3 and EV4 concept cars, choosing to focus on all the sustainable materials used on the inside. We suspect more information will be released shortly, but for now, we have images of the exteriors and interiors of both vehicles.

The EV3 is a shrunken-downKia EV9, which is already a controversially styled SUV. Kia says it exists to offer the technology, practicality, and design of its flagship SUV in a smaller, more accessible package. The EV4 represents Kia's commitment to sedans, even in the electric era. If the EV3's design is going to spark debate, the EV4's styling will start fistfights in bars.

At least Kia's new "Opposites United" design philosophy has the decency to be interesting. If these models make it to production, we expect the EV3 to look roughly the same, but Kia might want to tone the EV4 a bit down. Then again, the South Korean manufacturer was brave enough to launch the EV9 with minimal changes fromthe original concept.

We suspect these cars will reach production because Kia's press release expressly states that it designed an entire EV range priced from $30,000 to $80,000. The smaller EVs like the EV3, EV4, andrecently unveiled EV5will play around in the $35,000 to $50,000 segment. Kia has already launched the EV6 and EV9 in the most critical segments, while these upcoming models will fill the gaps in between, hopefully speeding up electric vehicle adoption.

Being concept cars, Kia did not provide information on available battery and electric motor options. We suspect it will be closely related to the EV5, which is equipped with either a 64 kWh or 88 kWh battery pack. The standard FWD model has a 215 horsepower motor on the front axle, while all-wheel-drive models add a smaller 94-hp motor to the rear.

In an attempt to make its cars as environmentally friendly as possible, the EV3 and EV4 will debut Kia's "game-changing eco-friendly materials and methodologies used to create them. This builds on thestandards already set by the EV9. Kia's CMF (Color, Materials, Finish) design team came up with a host of new sustainable materials, like using natural fiber structures to create structures like the seats.

"The material Kia chose for the inside of the Concept EV3's console table was not manufactured - it was grown, as Marilia Biill, Head of CMF Design at Kia, explains. "Mycelium, which comes from mushroom roots, combines excellent strength with an extremely soft surface. Developing grown materials, a process referred to as bio fabrication is a major goal for Kia.

For the EV4, the Kia CMF team applied natural dyes to 100% recycled cotton, using madder roots and walnut shells. The team also wove fabric stripes by hand to create a 3D effect. Kia might be able to put this into production if it can find a way to simplify the process.

CMF also used hemp for the EV4's console table. "Hemp is a rapidly growing plant that requires minimal resources to cultivate," explains Marília Biill. "Not only is it highly sustainable, but it's also highly moldable too, which means it is a very versatile material to work with, plus it enhances the EV concept's cabin with its beautiful rich color."

至于我们的产量变异的可能性arrival, while the EV5 is unlikely to come stateside, we suspect the EV3 and EV4 will make their way to America, owing to the fact the KIA USA shared details of these when the EV5 was only publicized on the brand's foreign market sites. Expect arrival before 2026 if that proves true.

Kia Unveils EV3 And EV4 Concepts At Kia EV Day

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Kia Unveils EV3 And EV4 Concepts At Kia EV Day

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