Kia Excited About Coming EV3 – CleanTechnica

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It seems that we’ve had a few tiers of EV enthusiasm in the auto industry for the past decade or so. Naturally, you’ve got the very enthusiast EV-only leaders — Tesla, BYD, Rivian, NIO, Xpeng, Polestar, etc. On the other end, you’ve got the extreme foot draggers — Honda, Toyota, Dodge, Fiat once upon a time. You might be tempted to say that then in the middle you’ve got Goldilocks, but I think there are a couple of tiers in the middle as well. You’ve got the automakers that are sort of trying and sort of producing okay vehicles, and you’ve the automakers that are sort of trying, more about to a shift to EVs, and developing much more appealing EVs. Maybe those two groups are more similar than I’m saying here, but I do feel very confident that most EV followers would say Kia belongs in that latter group. Sure, it’s not committed to going 100% electric by 2030 (as Volvo once was), but it produces compelling, efficient, attractive electric vehicles.

Kia has been keen the highlight the many, many, many awards the EV9 has won, and the company has done fairly well selling the EV6 as well. However, the coming EV3 has an extra special air about it. Could it be a global competitor to some of BYD’s fast-growing export vehicles? Could the EV3 be something akin to the “Tesla Model C” or “Tesla Model 2” many have been awaiting for years? I don’t know, since those are tall asks and Kia hasn’t proven itself at that scale yet, but the fact that it’s a question has me excited enough. Furthermore, I think Kia is really excited about the EV3.

This week, without any clear reason or prompting, the company rolled out a long essay on why the EV3 is so great and what it offers. I was going to pick out parts of it, but I didn’t know where to start or where to stop. So, below is the whole thing. First though, there’s a bit more eye candy below, and here’s the UK pricing (deliveries beginning at the end of 2024):

• EV3 “Air” 58.3kWh from £32,995 (up to 267 miles* of range)
• EV3 “Air” 81.4kWh from £35,995 (up to 372 miles* of range)
• “GT-Line” from £39,495, “GT-Line S” from £42,995 (up to 347 miles* of range)

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Kia EV3: Sustainable mobility, simplified — EV accessibility, amplified

• Kia EV3 offers accessible, sustainable electric mobility as part of elevated SUV experience
• World-first cutting-edge technologies enable customers to unlock new dimensions from EV3, enhancing driving and ownership experience
• Kia’s i-Pedal technology provides more relaxed, efficient driving style
• Smart Regenerative braking system delivers stress-free city driving
• Driving Range Guide ‘coaches’ drivers for greater efficiency
• Breakthrough in thermal management technology gives EV3 battery efficiency and charging time edge over rivals, even in harsh conditions
• Vehicle-to-Load charging highlights how EV3’s innovative technology can enhance customers’ interactions with their cars

When Kia unveiled the EV3 in May this year, the brand showcased a vehicle that would make effortless, sustainable mobility more accessible. To deliver on that commitment, Kia’s new compact all-electric SUV features industry-leading technology, a WLTP driving range of up to 600km and fast-charging capability.

The EV3’s game-changing blend of attributes means customers needn’t be concerned with making the transition from an internal combustion engine (ICE) car to an electric vehicle (EV).

Kia’s development team was determined to create an all-electric SUV that would raise the bar for what’s expected of a compact electric model. Achieving this meant drawing up an entirely new set of parameters, such as intelligent regenerative braking and the ability to power or charge external devices, such as camping equipment, enabling customers to enjoy a range of lifestyle and driving features previously unavailable in this sector.

Pioneering world-first technology sits at the heart of the EV3, with Kia’s engineers ensuring these innovations bring genuine benefits to the EV3’s occupants.

i-Pedal innovations

Kia is constantly innovating and has evolved its regenerative braking technology for the EV3 with its upgraded i-Pedal 3.0 and Smart Regenerative 3.0 systems. These technologies take the concept of one-pedal driving to the next level to deliver greater enjoyment and efficiency.

The latest i-Pedal 3.0 technology offers the driver much more flexibility and control by separating the level of regenerative braking from the full stopping control function. Full one-pedal driving can now be used in all regenerative braking modes, while i-Pedal 3.0 can be used optionally in Reverse and will also remember the previously selected level when the vehicle is turned off. The system can be selected through a simpler process of pulling the left-hand steering wheel paddle for more than one second.

Regenerative braking levels are rated from 0 to 3, with the most substantial Level 3 braking ideal for driving in heavy start-stop traffic, where drivers may need to slow the car quickly. This has also been optimized with a more linear calibration for smoother results.

Level 2 provides slightly less braking force, an ideal setting on a winding road, enabling drivers to really engage with the driving experience by slowing the SUV smoothly for corners without touching the brake pedal. This sustainable approach can extract more driving range from each battery charge.

On a long motorway journey, drivers might prefer Level 1 or even Level 0, which allows the EV3 to glide when lifting off the accelerator. These regenerative braking levels provide more comfort-focused deceleration. i-Pedal on Level 0 allows the EV3 to coast fully, while bringing a similar deceleration rate to Level 1 at lower speeds.

Smart tech for stress-free driving

The Kia EV3 is the first car to feature Hyundai Motor Group’s Smart Regenerative System 3.0 technology. This intelligent system provides the driver with a digital co-pilot that can scan the road ahead and respond to situations with lightning-fast reactions.

The Smart Regenerative System is engaged by holding the right-hand steering wheel paddle for more than a second and integrates autonomous driving technology with regenerative braking.

When the driver releases the accelerator pedal, the system uses sensors to detect the distance to the vehicle ahead and navigation information to automatically decelerate to a safe speed, if necessary.

While Kia’s previous Smart Regenerative System relied solely on GPS information, this latest version incorporates a wider variety of navigation-based data, unlocking an array of advantages for the driver.

For example, when the EV3 approaches a tight turn or a curve in the road, a speed limit decrease, a speed bump or a roundabout, the car will automatically slow down to an appropriate speed, making for a more relaxed, efficient and safe drive.

Smart Regenerative System 3.0 can relieve the stress of negotiating a busy, unfamiliar city center by relieving mental strain on drivers. While Kia’s previous system could automatically slow the vehicle to 9 km/h, the latest technology can bring the EV3 to a complete stop, providing even greater flexibility.

Reassuring range and advanced aerodynamics

Kia’s engineers believe in developing technology to create a better, more sustainable world. But they also know that some people – especially those new to electric mobility – still worry about driving range. That’s why the development team went to great lengths to ensure that the EV3 is one of the most impressively efficient and confidence-inspiring EV to drive.

Many factors can affect a vehicle’s all-electric driving range, but the one that figures most prominently in customers’ minds is still the battery. As a result, Kia’s engineers have equipped the EV3 with the largest battery in its class. The 81.4 kWh fourth-generation unit also boasts approximately 22 percent higher energy density compared with the Niro EV, which shares the same 400V architecture, and delivers a best-in-class all-electric range of 600 km (WLTP standard).

Endless hours were spent in the wind tunnel to hone the EV3’s aerodynamic performance, including subtleties such as the SUV’s optimized wheel shapes and the enhanced rear combination lamps. There are also new side sill undercovers, along with eight parts covering the underbody, which contribute to cleaner underfloor airflow and reduced drag.

Combined with optimized headlamp and front bumper cover profiles, wheel gap reducers, an optimized wheel arch design, a shallower roof spoiler angle, aerodynamic strakes on the rear bumper cover and improved front wheel deflectors, the EV3 glides smoothly through the air with a drag coefficient of just 0.26Cd.

The EV3’s body across the rear wheel arches is also narrower than across its front wheel arches, creating a boat-tail shape and greater electric driving range – something that drivers will definitely appreciate, especially on long trips.

On-board efficiency coach

While the EV3 is packed with technology to extract maximum range from every battery charge, how owners drive can make a big difference, too. That’s why Kia has made it easy to achieve this with its ‘Driving Range Guide’ technology.

Located in the instrument cluster, the Driving Range Guide is easy to understand at a glance. It displays the maximum and minimum driving ranges achievable depending on driving style, and an estimated range based on past driving efficiency.

When the EV3 is being driven efficiently, a green gauge on the information cluster fills towards the maximum mark. If the car’s efficiency potential is not being maximized, this gauge turns orange and displays a reduced potential driving range. This real-time display encourages drivers to enjoy a more efficient driving experience.

Efficient driving in all conditions

When developing the EV3, Kia’s designers and engineers never lost sight of their mission to make the compact all-electric SUV more accessible to more people. This meant thinking of all possible use cases and testing the EV3’s ultra-advanced technology in some of the harshest locations imaginable on the planet, such as Arjeplog within the Arctic Circle in Sweden.

The EV3 is the first vehicle in the world to deploy a simultaneous heat absorption system, enabling it to recycle waste heat not just from the vehicle, but also outside air to optimize efficiency. The EV’s advanced heat pump technology significantly improves its ability to protect battery performance and charge quickly in cold weather.

Thanks to the introduction of a unique high-thermal-efficiency sheath heater and low-temperature charging software, EV3 owners spend much less time waiting for their vehicle to charge.

The EV3’s battery is also equipped with a liquid cooling system, which is used during charging to optimize battery thermal management and enhance charging speeds. The EV3’s rapid charging time is up to 12 minutes faster than the Niro EV, enabling charging from 10 to 80 percent capacity in 31 minutes (Long Range model, under 350kW fast charging condition).

Thanks to the world’s first highly efficient and super-compact THIN HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) system, the EV3 delivers consistent cabin conditions in all conditions, maximizing comfort. The cleverly packaged system gives front-seat passengers an extra 6 cm of room in the footwell when compared with a conventional HVAC system, thanks to the 33 per cent reduction in the unit’s height.

Accessible advanced technology

The EV3’s spacious interior provides a living space-like environment for occupants to enjoy when travelling, or relaxing when the vehicle is stationary. Cutting-edge connectivity features enable them to engage with the digital world in more immersive ways than ever before.

Kia is the first manufacturer to bring Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) charging to the compact EV SUV segment. This feature enables the car to power external devices and allows customers to maximize the EV3’s accessibility.

Even while ‘off-grid’ from electric infrastructure, owners can use the EV3 to charge and power appliances such as a laptop, a coffee machine, a small fridge or even a movie projector. This is yet another example of how the innovative technology developed by Kia’s engineers for the EV3 can enhance customers’ experiences on every journey.

Kia plans to introduce an all-wheel drive (AWD) variant as well as a GT model, expanding the range of choice for customers beyond the current two-wheel drive (2WD) models.