Kia Motors has staked its claim for leadership in advanced powertrain technology at the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show with a display made up entirely of electrified vehicles.
Geneva International Motor Show marks the world debut for Kia’s new fully-electric ‘Imagine by Kia’ concept, alongside the fully-electric Soul EV, which makes its European debut at the show. Kia has also announced a range of upgrades to the Niro Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid, with the new variants revealed today.
Demonstrating the depth of its advanced powertrain line-up, every Kia vehicle on show in Geneva employs the brand’s mild-hybrid, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or electric vehicle technology.
Emilio Herrera, Chief Operating Officer for Kia Motors Europe, comments: “Electrification is a key element of Kia’s European and global growth strategy, with one in eight Kia cars sold in Europe today featuring an electrified powertrain. Where many manufacturers are still talking about their future plans and intentions for electrification, advanced powertrains have formed a growing proportion of Kia’s European sales for a number of years already. With the Soul EV and upgraded Niro range revealed, and more electrified powertrains on the way, our electric vehicle growth will only continue.”
Kia has also introduced its new UVO CONNECT telematics technology in Geneva, available on the Soul EV and upgraded Niro Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid. The ‘connected car’ technology will be introduced to a number of other Kia models in the near future.
World debut for fully-electric ‘Imagine by Kia’ concept
The ‘Imagine by Kia’ concept, revealed for the first time in Geneva, has been designed at the company’s European design centre in Frankfurt.
Gregory Guillaume, Vice President of Design for Kia Motors Europe, comments: “We imagined designing an all-electric car that not only answered consumer concerns around range, performance, recharging networks and driving dynamism, but one that also gave you goose bumps when you looked at it, and made the hairs on the back of your neck stand up when you drove it. That’s why our all-electric concept is designed to not only get your pulse racing, but to also signpost our holistic and emotional approach to electrification.”
A visual embodiment of its desire to move forward into the exciting world of electrification, this concept is Kia’s first pure electric four-door passenger car. Intentionally designed to not sit within the industry’s predefined vehicle categories, it coherently draws together elements of a muscular sports utility vehicle, a sleek and athletic family saloon and a versatile and spacious crossover. The ‘Imagine by Kia’ concept represents a more progressive Kia design language for the future, with intelligent reinterpretations of existing Kia motifs and a bodywork characterised by a blend of tautly-drawn sheet metal, crisp lines, and efficient aerodynamics.
Kia’s European design team fully exploited the chassis architecture of the powertrain’s all-electric layout to maximise cabin space and create an airy and spacious interior. In a humorous riposte to the industry’s current obsession with ever increasing dashboard screens, the concept features 21 individual ultra high-resolution screens. These curve their synchronised way across the top of the dashboard in a layout that is at the same time both casual and coordinated.
While not immediately destined for production, the ‘Imagine by Kia’ concept hints at interior and exterior design elements that could be adapted for future production models from the brand.
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SOURCE: Kia
