Smaller Kia EV1 and EV2 incoming

KIA’S focus on fully electric vehicles continues with the imminent arrival (next year) of a new light segment BEV called the EV2 and other “entry level” models hinted at recently by Kia president and CEO Ho Sung Song, including an EV1.

The EV2 precedes Kia’s next wave of BEVs built on a new platform that are being prepped for launch by the end of the decade and include software defined vehicles (SDVs) such as the new generation EV6 and EV9 using 800-volt architecture.

Speaking with UK publication Autocar, Mr Ho confirmed his commitment to entry-level models and keeping Kia cars affordable and accessible, and to that end suggested a baby Kia (the EV1) is deep into its development.

But he made it clear Kia was in no rush to replace the current Picanto city car which continues to sell well with strong appeal to budget conscious buyers and that with its current BEV line-up, the South Korean automaker was under no pressure from emissions regulations.

Kia heavily updated the ICE-powered Picanto in 2023 and feels it has done enough to keep the model available up until such time as it is able to build a fully electric replacement at an affordable price-point… potentially the end of the decade.

Autocar reports Mr Ho as saying the mooted entry-level EV was “homework” for Kia at the moment, and a sub-€25,000 ($A45,000) model was “one area we are studying and developing”.

As is the case with other manufacturers, a scenario where both ICE and BEV-powered, tiddler-size entry-level models are available at the same time is possible depending on how emissions regulations evolve.

According the article, Kia’s design director Karim Habib said the firm was looking at Japanese brand Muji for inspiration for its smaller cars.

“The clothing and homeware retailer focuses on simplicity and utility, and Kia was exploring how to reduce things to their very essence and still have a desirability to them,” he said.

Mr Habib said this work also included customisation and “how you design something super-basic that you can customise or individualise for different types of customers”.

He added: “In our view, that’s where it can be really interesting in a lower-end price bracket.”

Elsewhere in Kia’s development program is new range-extender EV technology that continues alongside the development of various hybrids and even ICE models as Kia ensures it covers off all options and contingencies in a rapidly changing new vehicle market including light commercials – vans and pick-ups.

Kia is preparing to fully embrace SDVs (and autonomous driving technology) stating, “SDVs move a car away from having a host of different subsystems to just a few core systems that are all centrally integrated”.

“The approach allows for greater stability and reliability for the car. It is also easier to update and manage across multiple vehicles, because they all share the same ‘brain’,” it added.

Mr Ho said this would allow Kia to decouple hardware and software development and allow shorter development times with further SDV benefits for future Kias including more personalised user interfaces and “frequent upgrading of software to give them freshness for their vehicle”.

“Because we are decoupling hardware and software, we can be more flexible making different kinds of vehicles based on the same platform,” he concluded.