Making its world premiere today at the at the Seoul Motor Show, is Kia’s Naimo electric crossover utility vehicle (CUV), a B-segment sized concept car that will serve as a test-bed for the company’s EV technology. Penned by Kia‘s international design team in Seoul, the car takes its name from the Korean word “Ne-mo”, which is pronounced ‘Neh-mo’ and means ‘square shape.
Measuring 3.89 meters in length, the car has a relatively long wheelbase of 2.65 meters, with Kia making claims of a spacious cabin, with “exceptional” head, leg and shoulder room for the occupants. The car has no B-pillars and features rear-hinged doors to improve access to the cabin, while the boot-lid has a three-way split opening system for the easier loading of different-sized objects.
As for the design, the boxy shape brings to mind the KV7 concept, while details like the assymetric sunroof, the blacked-out A-pillars or the unusual built-in LED taillights give the Naimo a unique look.
Another interesting detail is the lack of windscreen wipers, replaced by a high-intensity air jet at the base of the screen that performs an “air-wiper” function. The interior features bespoke materials such as Korean oak on the floor and door panels and “Han-ji” paper for the head lining.
The car is powered by an electric motor developing 80 kW (109HP) and 280 Nm (206.5 lb-ft) of torque, allowing it to reach a top speed of 150 km/h (93.2 mph). The twin-pack 27 kWh battery located under the boot floor offers the Naimo a driving range of around 200 km (124 mi) on a single charge. The battery can be recharged in 25 minutes to 80 percent of its capacity, but full charge takes five and a half hours. In order to help achieving a reasonable driving range, the car is also fitted with special low-drag 20-inch alloy wheels.
Kia said the Naimo will join the company’s test fleet of hybrid, electric and fuel-cell vehicles and will undergo testing in varying conditions to improve the EV technology that will later be applied to production vehicles.
By Dan Mihalascu
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