Kia EV4: Tesla Mannequin 3 rival locked in for Australia

After rolling out a spread of electrical SUVs, Kia is now planning to launch an electrical sedan in Australia.

The Kia EV4 – of which the outside design was revealed earlier this month – has now been detailed at its reveal in Barcelona on the model’s EV Day.

“Kia Australia is happy to verify the EV4 will be part of the vary of Kia’s battery electrical car fashions in Australia. Additional info relating to timing, variants, options, and pricing shall be introduced in the end,” mentioned a spokesperson for Kia Australia.

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It seems unlikely we’ll get the hatchback right here, nevertheless.

Kia refers back to the EV4 hatchback as being ‘Europe-only’, and it’ll be produced in Slovakia. The sedan shall be produced in Korea, and it’ll go on sale there in March.

The corporate says the EV4 makes use of the E-GMP platform, which additionally underpins the likes of the EV6 and EV9. It options MacPherson strut entrance suspension and a multi-link set-up with coil-over items on the rear.

It additionally options frequency-responsive valves for its dampers, which together with ‘hydro G’ suspension bushing provides what Kia claims to be diminished noise and vibration and improved experience consolation.

There’s a alternative of two battery sizes, however only one 150kW front-mounted electrical motor. Given Kia has beforehand pledged to supply hotter GT variations of all its electrical autos (EVs), nevertheless, a dual-motor all-wheel drive configuration may are available an EV4 GT.

Kia has taken effectivity severely, and the EV4 has an aerodynamic drag coefficient of simply 0.23, aided by full underbody covers.

Vary is as much as 630km on the WLTP cycle, higher than a base Tesla Mannequin 3 RWD (513km) and narrowly beating the Lengthy Vary AWD (629km).

Inside, the 2023 Idea EV4’s inside has made the transition to manufacturing with few modifications.

There’s nonetheless a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 5.3-inch local weather display screen, in addition to a split-level centre console.

Whereas the general structure is basically equivalent, the manufacturing EV4 has gained some bodily switches, whereas the ambient lighting has been adjusted and the idea’s peach inside colourway and patterned centre-console insert are gone.

Over-the-air updates will be carried out remotely through their cellphones, whereas Kia says there are “new show themes, corresponding to NBA and Disney-related content material” obtainable to mean you can customise the car.

The so-called Automobile Sensible TV resolution lets you watch YouTube, Netflix and Disney+ within the EV4, and likewise play video games and sing karaoke.

There are selectable inside modes. Relaxation Mode adjusts the ambient lighting and front-row ‘leisure seats’, whereas Theatre Mode “optimises settings” for the 30-inch-wide display screen show, ambient lighting, and sound system.

Different obtainable options on the EV4 embody:

• Computerized high-beam
• Distant Sensible Parking Help
• Digital Key 2.0, permitting you to unlock the car through smartphone or Apple Watch
• 12-inch head-up show
• 8-speaker sound system (unbranded or Harman/Kardon)
• Ambient lighting
• Kia AI Assistant

The look of the EV4’s exterior is identifiably 2020s Kia, with out wanting fully spinoff of, say, the combustion-powered K4 or electrical EV5.

The sedan has a fastback profile with a steeply raked rear window, whereas the boxy hatchback has a glasshouse that will get slimmer in direction of the rear of the car, earlier than terminating at a bolt upright D-pillar therapy.

Whereas Kia says the EV4 options 215/60R17 tyres, it has additionally confirmed the EV4 GT-Line rides on 19-inch alloys. It’s unclear what influence if any this has on vary.

All EV4 fashions characteristic outstanding black cladding, giving the sedan and hatch a moderately SUV-like look, in addition to flush door handles.

Drivetrains and Effectivity

It options an 11kW on-board charger, supporting each single-phase and three-phase AC inputs.

Automobile-to-load (V2L) performance lets you energy home equipment, whereas the EV4 will even characteristic vehicle-to-grid (V2G) functionality the place this know-how is supported.

The EV4 options Kia’s i-Pedal 3.0 regenerative braking system, and can bear in mind your chosen regen setting.

Dimensions

The EV4 sedan is round 10mm longer than a Tesla Mannequin 3, however 73mm narrower on a 55mm shorter wheelbase.

Security

Kia is focusing on a five-star Euro NCAP score. Security options on the EV4 embody:

• Ahead Collision-Avoidance Help 2 (autonomous emergency braking)
• Navigation-based adaptive cruise management
• Blind-spot help
• Blind-Spot View Monitor
• Driver consideration warning
• Freeway Driving Help 2
• Lane-keep help
• Lane Following Help 2 (lane centring)
• Rear cross-traffic help
• Clever Velocity Restrict Help
• Security Exit Help
• Encompass-view digicam
• Entrance, rear and facet parking sensors