Kia just lately revealed the Idea EV2, an electrical subcompact crossover that’s set to enter manufacturing in 2026. This announcement was made in the course of the automaker’s EV Day presentation held in Tarragona, Spain, the place a number of different electrical automobiles had been additionally showcased. The EV2 encompasses a boxy design harking back to the Kia Soul EV, which had restricted availability within the U.S. from 2015 to 2019. Though a second-generation Soul EV was made obtainable in different markets, it by no means reached the U.S., regardless of having an official EPA vary ranking of 243 miles.
With a size of 169.3 inches, the EV2 is 4.1 inches longer than the present gasoline-powered Kia Soul and is comparable in dimension to the Kia EV3 electrical crossover unveiled final Could. This dimension locations the EV2 between the Hyundai Kona Electrical and Volvo EX30, that are among the many smaller EVs obtainable within the U.S., excluding the Fiat 500e, which is considerably shorter.
Whereas some imaginative options like suicide doorways, which might necessitate the elimination of the central roof pillar, are unlikely to make it to the manufacturing model, sensible parts comparable to a flat flooring, a wide-opening tailgate, and a pop-up cargo divider may very well be included. The inside design additionally showcases detachable triangular audio system, an expansive dashboard show, and the potential to challenge messages onto the car’s home windows for communication with others on the street. Moreover, Kia is reportedly engaged on an AI voice assistant for its future electrical automobiles.
Although particular technical particulars are restricted, it’s anticipated that the EV2 will make the most of a extra reasonably priced model of the E-GMP devoted EV structure, just like the EV3. Price-saving measures are prone to embody 400-volt charging as a substitute of the 800-volt charging present in different E-GMP fashions. However, Kia has assured that the EV2 will function bidirectional charging capabilities inherent to that platform.
The Idea EV2 was unveiled alongside the production-ready EV4, which will likely be obtainable in each sedan and hatchback codecs, and the PV5 electrical van. Kia is contemplating providing the EV3, EV4, and PV5 within the U.S., however the availability of the EV2 out there stays unsure.
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