Kia EV4 could have its own European offshoot

When the EV4 study was presented, it was still rumoured that production of the vehicle would start in 2024. In June, reports emerged that production would be delayed—which the Hyundai Motor Group has confirmed. According to the Korea Times, that is because of “falling EV sentiment triggered by a temporary demand stagnation before widespread adoption.”

In South Korea, the EV4 will be built on a single line at the Gwangmyeong plant with the EV3, launched on the domestic market in May. The upcoming electric saloon and the compact electric SUV are both based on the 400-volt version of the E-GMP electric platform. More than 150,000 units of both models will be built annually; according to the Korea Times, Kia has set itself a production target of 70,000 vehicles per year for the EV4 – which would, therefore, mean 80,000 EV3s.

Kia has not yet provided any technical data on the EV4. According to earlier reports, it will have similar specifications to the EV3: the Kia EV3 only has a motor with 150 kW and 283 Nm of torque and, depending on the chosen configuration, a 58.3 kWh or 81.4 kWh battery pack. With the small battery, the 4.30-metre-long SUV has a WLTP range of 429 kilometres; with the large battery, up to 600 kilometres are possible, according to the WLTP. The EV4 is likely to go a little further with identical drive technology – the saloon shape is simply more aerodynamic.

While the EV4 built in South Korea will apparently be a classic notchback saloon, Kia could offer a fastback variant of its saloon in Europe. The Korean Car Blog has published prototype images of such a vehicle, described as a “European-specific model of the EV4, with five doors.” The photographed prototype bears a licence plate from Groß-Gerau, Germany – just south of the European development centre in Rüsselsheim. According to the report, the vehicle could be built at the European Kia plant in Zilina, Slovakia.

With the new body version, Kia wants to strengthen “its presence in the European automotive sector,” which is also in line with Kia’s overarching goal of firmly establishing itself in the global EV market, according to the blog: “This strategic move aligns with Kia’s broader goal to establish a robust foothold in the global EV market.”

There could even be another body variant: The Spanish eMobility portal Forocoches electricos has, in turn, published prototype images of a vehicle that could show a kind of crossover or minivan version of the EV4. The front looks very similar to the prototype of the five-door model. Still, the entire vehicle appears to be slightly higher – which speaks against an estate version of the saloon and more in favour of a crossover model. Either way, it is likely to be the most practical variant of the EV4 with the largest boot – Forocoches electricos estimates over 600 litres with a length of around 4.50 metres. That means that the model could potentially replace the Niro EV, which has so far been positioned as a 400-volt model below the slightly longer EV6 with 800 volts.

koreatimes.co.kr (production South Korea), thekoreancarblog.com (hatchback prototype and possible production in Slovakia), forococheselectricos.com (crossover prototype)