Remember back to the 1990s and early 2000's... Korean-made cars all looked very Korean. While this is by no means a bad thing, it does make it difficult to sell vehicles worldwide. To inject a more universal style into its lineup, Kia effectively hired former Audi designer Peter Schreyer.
Schreyer says that there is no "Koreaness" about the current Kia lineup. And he's right, as far as production models are concerned. The recent unveiling of the Naimo EV concept, however, proves that the automaker is retaining its roots. Its Jade exterior is reminiscent of Celadon-style pottery and the interior is covered in Korean Oak. Schreyer, indicates that this is one case where the Korean design factor is strong.
The new Naimo EV concept likely shouldn't be taken as a cue for future design directions, but rather an example of playing to the home crowd. After all, the vehicle did debut at the Seol Motor Show.
Kia Naimo Electric Crossover Utility At a Glance
- Five-door, four-seater urban runabout design defined by a simple, square body
- Max Torque: 280 Nm
- Top Speed: 93mph
- Battery: 27 kWh Lithium Ion Polymer
- Battery Range: Approximately 125 miles on a single charge
- Charge Time: 5 ½ hours, using a conventional outlet
- Dot-style LED headlights
- Rear-hinged rear doors
- Rear-view cameras
- Air wipers (remove water on windshield using high-intensity air jet located at the base of the windscreen)
- Korean wood floors
As of now Kia hasn't confirmed any plans to take the Naimo EV concept car to market. They will, however, add it to its test fleet of hybrid, electric and fuel-cell vehicles with a view to developing future production models.
Stay tuned for more Kia news, coming soon. Bald Hill Kia, located at 1021 Bald Hill Rd. Warwick, RI 02886, is dedicated to keeping you informed.
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