Boss says non-EV powertrains are additionally wanted to fulfill international demand
The subsequent wave of Kia EVs is being ready for launch by the top of the last decade, amongst them an entry-level mannequin in addition to a next-generation structure that can underpin replacements for the likes of the EV6 and EV9.
Kia’s rollout of electrical vehicles continues apace, with the present EV3, EV6 and EV9 being joined this 12 months by the EV4 and EV5, adopted by the EV2 in 2026. Now the agency’s efforts are centered on what comes subsequent.
An entry-level EV that sits under the EV2 and is priced under €25,000 (about £21,000) is the main new addition, however replacements for the EV6 and EV9 will mark step-changes for the model because it strikes to software-defined automobiles (SDVs).
New range-extender EV expertise can be within the works, alongside continued improvement of hybrids and even internal-combustion-engined fashions as Kia plans to proceed providing an entire vary of automobiles that’s now increasing past vehicles and into vans and pick-ups for the primary time.
Smaller Kias coming
Kia president and CEO Ho Sung Tune confirmed his dedication to entry-level fashions and retaining his vehicles inexpensive and accessible, and to that finish prompt a child Kia is deep into its improvement.
Tune mentioned Kia was in no rush to exchange the present Picanto metropolis automotive, which continues to be promoting nicely in Europe, and the energy of Kia’s electrical automotive vary means the agency isn’t below any imminent stress from the CO2 laws which have doomed different metropolis vehicles available on the market in recent times.
The Picanto, closely up to date in 2023, would subsequently stay on sale up till the purpose that Kia was in a position to create an entry-level electrical metropolis automotive for lower than €25,000. The model feels you will need to preserve such an inexpensive entry-level mannequin in its vary.
Tune mentioned the mooted entry-level EV was “homework” for Kia in the intervening time, and a sub-€25,000 mannequin was “one space we’re learning and growing”.
Given Tune’s feedback, it appears inevitable that when the Picanto does attain the finish of its life – which is anticipated to be earlier than the top of the last decade – it is going to be changed by the entry-level EV fairly than an ICE mannequin. But there’s a state of affairs wherein the 2 fashions are bought alongside one another, relying on how CO2 guidelines develop. Different automotive makers have already taken this strategy.
Kia design director Karim Habib mentioned the agency was taking a look at Japanese model Muji for inspiration for its smaller vehicles. The clothes and homeware retailer focuses on simplicity and utility, and Kia was exploring how one can “scale back issues to their very essence and nonetheless have a desirability to them”.
Habib mentioned this work additionally included customisation and “the way you design one thing super-basic you can customise or individualise for several types of clients”. He added: “In our view, that’s the place it may be actually attention-grabbing in a lower-end worth bracket.”
Software program-defined automobiles
Kia is getting ready to embrace SDVs and launch a brand new structure for its bigger fashions utilizing the expertise. SDVs transfer a automotive away from having a number of various subsystems to only a few core methods which can be all centrally built-in.
The strategy permits for larger stability and reliability for the automotive. Additionally it is simpler to replace and handle throughout a number of automobiles, as a result of all of them share the identical ‘mind’. Tune mentioned this could enable Kia to decouple {hardware} and software program improvement and permit shorter improvement occasions.
He added that improvement work on a brand new SDV structure had been ongoing for some three years and a pilot undertaking idea could also be proven subsequent 12 months. That could be a reference to the ‘SDV Tempo Automotive’ that Kia confirmed earlier this 12 months and which is the event mule for this undertaking.
Following this timeline by way of to manufacturing would match with Kia launching an EV6 alternative off this new 800V structure. A second-generation EV9 must also be due by the top of the last decade.
Additional benefi ts for future Kias from SDVs might be extra personalised person interfaces inside clients’ automobiles and “frequent upgrading of software program to provide them freshness for his or her automobile”, based on Tune, who mentioned it may assist carry down the prices of vehicles as a result of “our improvement cycle is shorter so the fee is less expensive”.
Tune added: “As a result of we’re decoupling {hardware} and software program, we could be extra versatile making completely different sorts of automobiles based mostly on the identical platform.”
Kia can even introduce learnings from its new vary of ‘PBV’ vans into the event of its future vehicles, notably across the integration of software program and {hardware}. The PV5, Kia’s first van, might be adopted by a bigger PV7 van in 2027 and a PV9 in 2029.
Hybrid and range-extender powertrains
Tune mentioned Kia will proceed to put money into all related powertrain applied sciences as a result of it’s a international automotive maker responding to completely different market calls for.
Tune is a agency believer within the change to EVs and believes that in Europe particularly Kia can “drive quantity from a full EV line-up” that’s “very full” due to a “robust development” in direction of EVs out there, however Kia is remaining versatile in its strategy.
“The ultimate vacation spot in Europe is EVs, which is why I wish to be a really robust EV participant in Europe,” mentioned Tune. “But when we have a look at worldwide demand we should always have various powertrains, like hybrids, plug-in [hybrids] and EREVs [extended-range electric vehicles, aka RExs].”
He mentioned range-extender expertise was notably attention-grabbing for bigger, heavier automobiles to which pure EV expertise was much less nicely suited. The primary REx Kia is anticipated be to launched by the top of the last decade as a part of an evolution of the automotive maker’s hybrid providing for bigger fashions.
Combustion engines will proceed to be necessary for rising markets like North Africa the place “they don’t have the infrastructure” for electrification. To that finish, Tune shouldn’t be placing an finish date on Kia’s improvement of inside combustion engines.
Future design
Kia is already planning a brand new evolution for the design of its fashions, and Tune mentioned he recognises the significance of staying forward and sustaining innovation on this space.
He added: “Design is without doubt one of the highest preferences for our clients shopping for our vehicles, however right now’s design philosophy has already been out there for 5 years. We frequently assume about how one can renew it.
“If we repeat time and again [with the same design], possibly clients will really feel it’s boring, so we now have to consider how one can renew automobiles. We’ll proceed to check what could be improved and renewed for our clients.”
Habib confirmed that idea vehicles would proceed to be proven by Kia, including that the agency was more likely to unveil one later this 12 months, though he didn’t verify any specifics.
Future improvements
A rollout of an AI assistant in all of Kia’s new automobiles can be on the way in which, to higher management a automotive’s wider capabilities and introduce “extra innovation” to future Kias, in accordance Tune.
He added: “Clients predict extra innovation in our automobiles. They’re experiencing all-new capabilities from smartphones. They need the identical in our automobiles.” Tune mentioned Kia must be “extra progressive” in offering new options in automobiles, and Kia is working with extra companion firms, together with Samsung, to assist it achieve this.
Kia can even proceed to put money into the event of full autonomous driving, which Tune believes will “positively be for the comfort of the shoppers sooner or later”. This strategy might be baked into the SDV structure in improvement.
