Kia unveils the design of the EV4
The EV4 will actually be available in two body variants – as the long-announced saloon and as a hatchback variant in the style of an estate or shooting brake. That does not come as a complete surprise, as several prototype models have recently been spotted with eye-catching camouflage at the rear. However, whether that was just an attempt to distract attention or camouflage a different rear end was unclear. Now we know it was the latter.
On the other hand, there are no major surprises in the design that has now been unveiled. The EV4 follows Kia’s own ‘Opposites United’ design language, “blending sharp lines with bold, technical details,” as the press release states. In other words, anyone who has already seen the EV3 as a compact SUV can imagine what the low-profile saloon looks like. However, there are some differences in the details: the front of the new EV4 is significantly flatter, and the bonnet is very low. In combination with the fastback profile and the roof spoiler, this is intended to improve aerodynamics. In the side view, the very stretched look of the saloon from the C-pillar onwards is striking; Kia speaks of a “longtail design.”
The vehicle will come standard with 19-inch rims, and the black plastic mudguards and wheel arches are intended to give a robust impression. Alternatively, the sporty GT-Line trim is also available, in which the wings are in body colour, and the wing design is more reminiscent of the current EV6.
Kia has yet to provide any information on the technology. It is the 400-volt version of the E-GMP electric platform. However, the pictures (and the aforementioned prototypes) show that the charging port is located on the passenger side between the door and the front wheel – the 800-volt models of the E-GMP have the charging port at the rear right of the rear light.
So, the EV3 offers some clues. Firstly, the EV4 should also provide plenty of space in the interior, even if it is somewhat flatter. However, the Koreans have not yet revealed the length of the vehicle. The same applies to the details of the drive systems, although anything other than the takeover from the EV3 (and the larger electric SUV EV5) would be a surprise.
That means we can expect two battery versions for the EV4. The base version has a gross energy content of 58.3 kWh, while the long-range model has 81.4 kWh. However, as the EV4 is significantly more aerodynamic, its WLTP range should exceed the 605 kilometres of the EV3 – the premiere in a couple of weeks will show whether it is closer to 630 kilometres or even 650. The standard range version is likely to reach 450 kilometres or more, as the EV3 already has a range of 436 kilometres.
Both versions are powered by a 150 kW electric motor on the front axle (283 Nm torque). An all-wheel drive version with an additional, but somewhat weaker motor on the rear axle is also likely for the EV4. However, the EV4, with its 400-volt system, will not come close to the extremely short charging times of a Kia EV6: A maximum of 101 kW is possible with the small battery and 128 kW with the large battery, with charging times of roughly 30 minutes.
Even if no price information is expected at the Kia EV Day premiere on 27 February, the EV3 should at least provide a rough house number. That is because the EV4 will unlikely be cheaper than 35,990 euros (standard range) or 41,390 euros (long range) in Germany. The Concept EV2 and the PV5 will also be unveiled at the event in Tarragona, Spain.
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