Kia unveils the tiny, urban-focused EV2, however will the US ever see it?

Kia unveiled its new compact, entry-level EV2 electrical hatchback on the Brussels Motor Present this morning. It appears like an important, reasonably priced EV… that the US might by no means see.

We noticed some teasers of the EV2 this week and a idea final yr, however now the actual factor is lastly right here.

The EV2 is designed to suit into the underside slot of Kia’s electrical automotive steady, its smallest and least-expensive entry. It’s a boxy, (very) compact SUV meant for city driving and as an “entry level to electrical mobility.”

The automotive appears about as we anticipated it will – similar to the idea and to the draped mannequin we noticed simply final month. No actual surprises right here, and nothing significantly out of the abnormal – only a good, utilitarian-looking field. I prefer it.

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Exterior dimensions of the EV2 are fairly small, measuring solely 4060mm (159.8in) in size. That’s shorter than the Volvo EX30 (4233mm/166.6in), which means the EV2 ought to be straightforward to park within the city environments it’s made for. Heightwise, the EV2 is 1575mm (60in) tall – and it measures 1800mm (70.9in) in width. So it’s small… however there are smaller vehicles on the market (the Hyundai Inster is similar peak, however each thinner and 10 inches shorter).

So the outside isn’t a lot of a shock, however Kia did launch some specs alongside their reveal in the present day.

Sadly, we don’t know something about efficiency specs – no energy, no acceleration, no curb weight. However we did be taught concerning the batteries and charging, at the very least.

It is going to be obtainable in two battery sizes, a “standard-range” 42kWh battery with a 317km/197mi vary, and a “lengthy vary” 61kWh battery with a 448km/278mi vary. Each of those ranges are estimates, and are based mostly on the WLTP check cycle, which is extra lenient than the EPA check cycle (and extra suited to European roads than American ones).

These vary numbers do appear somewhat low for such a small automotive (particularly when correcting for WLTP/EPA), so we surprise if Kia is maybe being somewhat conservative in its estimates, or if we’re underestimating the scale/weight of this factor. It is going to be attention-grabbing to see real-world outcomes when the automotive will get delivered, and we wouldn’t be shocked if the automotive does somewhat higher than anticipated.

Kia didn’t verify peak DC charging pace or voltage degree, however did say that the automotive will cost from 10-80% in about half-hour. Some fast math suggests an common (not peak) cost fee of ~85kW for the lengthy vary mannequin and ~60kW for the usual vary.

That is considerably slower than different E-GMP platform vehicles, which may cost at greater than twice that fee in the correct circumstances. The EV2 is probably going then charging at 400V, not like the 800V of its higher-end E-GMP cousins.

AC charging is loads fast, although – the automotive comes with both an 11 or 22kW AC charger, which means you possibly can cost fairly shortly even with out plugging into DC.

And, the EV2 does have V2L/V2G performance, very similar to different Kia EVs. Kia didn’t say what quantity of juice the compact EV can put out, however its different automobiles have had impressively highly effective V2G skills (the EV6 can do 12kW), so we wouldn’t be shocked if the automotive is able to working greater than only a energy strip.

Kia calls the inside of the automobile a “Picnic Field,” emphasizing its sparse however cozy utility. Regardless of the outside’s similarity to the ideas we noticed, the inside is fairly a bit totally differentand much more… uh, normal-looking.

Kia says the inside makes use of “fabric-rich supplies” which, frankly, I’m tremendous with. I by no means received the draw of leather-based anyway. Though, there will likely be an upgraded trim which appears to make use of (artificial?) leather-based (images beneath).

The inside contains one extensive show separated into three sections – one 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a 5-inch local weather show, and a 12.3-inch infotainment part. The cabin has ambient lighting, synchronized with sure automobile features.

However, controls aren’t all digital, there are bodily switches on the sprint and the steering wheel for features like quantity, hvac and extra.

Whereas we haven’t had an opportunity to get inside one, the automotive does seem like it has some helpful nooks and crannies, together with a versatile decrease console, wi-fi charging tray, adjustable cup holders, door pockets and the like. We are able to see 3 USB-C ports within the entrance, and Kia says they’re able to 100W charging.

And it has my favourite function, “Digital Key 2,” which is Kia’s branding for phone-as-key. (I hate carrying keys)

Regardless of the EV2’s small dimension, Kia says inside area is “similar to bigger automobiles.” That is usually a energy of EVs (at the very least, after they’re designed from the bottom up, somewhat than retrofitted), as batteries and motors supply extra packaging choices for automotive designers. Rear legroom can prolong to 958mm (37.7in) with the seats slid absolutely again, and rear cargo capability is as much as 403 liters (14.2 cu ft) with the seats slid absolutely ahead.

Whereas we didn’t see any images of the rear seat or cargo area but, Kia’s spec sheet refers to each a 4-seat and a 5-seat model. The previous has sliding and reclining rear seats, whereas the latter offers you an additional seat however is a hard and fast bench seat.

Kia has not but introduced pricing for the EV2, nevertheless it’s suspected to be cheaper than the bigger EV3, which begins at round 36k Euros ($42k). Manufacturing on the bottom commonplace mannequin will start imminently, in Slovakia within the first quarter of this yr. Larger-trim long-range and GT-Line fashions will come later this yr. Kia hasn’t introduced when the automotive will likely be on sale, however with that manufacturing timing, we think about it’ll solely be a matter of months.

As for regional availability – all we all know is that Kia “has not introduced plans for the US market.” On condition that Kia has a slate of right-sized EVs obtainable around the globe which it up to now has not determined to convey to the US (together with the EV4, which was supposed to come back right here, however has been delayed indefinitely), we’re hopeful however sensible about our possibilities of getting an actually-good-sized automobile amongst the American sea of ridiculous land yachts.

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