As we have closely watched the auto industry
as a whole here at Jim
Butler Kia of St Louis, the last few years have been a “narrower
tunnel” of sorts as the future of electrification becomes much closer to
reality. Many brands have pledged to have multiple electric models within just
a few years, and engineers all over the world have been hard at work testing
the best builds and components to do their part in the quest for clean energy.
The staff at Motor1.com ran a
feature on their blog this week featuring spy shots of Kia's upcoming electric
vehicle, caught in action testing alongside the Tesla Model 3. These shots offer up a few clues
as to the benchmarks that will be set for the new EV, even while under heavy
camouflage and an array of blocky pieces that hide the body's shape and wrap
pattern. In front, the nose arches downward and we can make out oval
headlights, with A-pillars that have a steep rake and a mostly flat roof. It is
difficult to make out the taillights underneath the camo, but they can be seen
in the corners just below the window.
When this electric model is finally able to
be seen in full, it is expected to appear much like the Kia Imagine concept gallery seen at the 2019
Geneva Motor Show. The changes regarding the exterior appear to include more
conventional headlights as well as a B-pillar to provide support for the door
hinges. The shape of the hatchback seems much sharper, and when Kia first
introduced the Imagine concept, it was said that it was intended to properly
“blur the lines between segments.”
While it may bear similarity with the Imagine
concept on the inside, it is sure to have many differences outside. The concept
model had 21 impressive high-resolution screens across the dashboard, and the
displays on the passenger side appeared to be canted on angles a bit
unconventional. No one is quite certain about the powertrain for the production
version of the EV, but it is said to be able to reach 60 miles per hour in less
than 3 seconds, and the driving range should be around 300 miles. Set to debut
in 2021, eager observers should look for it to be on sale for the 2022 model
year.
