Kia EV3 Concept Hints At An All-Electric Seltos: Here's What We Know
Kia”s recent EV Day marked a significant step in the Korean brand”s electrification plans. The event showcased three new concept EV prototypes: EV3, EV4, and EV5, signaling Kia”s intention to expand its EV lineup globally with more mass-market products. Among these concepts, the EV3 is of particular interest, especially to Indian publications, as it appears to share similarities with the popular Kia Seltos, a high-volume-selling model in India.
This similarity between the EV3 concept and the Seltos has fueled speculation that Kia may be considering an all-electric version of the Seltos for the Indian market. Kia had previously confirmed plans to launch a heavily localized EV in India by 2025, with assembly taking place in its Anantapur plant. This vehicle is believed to potentially be based on the EV3 concept. In essence, it could become the “Seltos EV.”
The EV3 concept, like Kia”s flagship EVs, is built on the Hyundai Group”s dedicated EV architecture known as E-GMP. It shares design elements with the EV9, featuring a unique interpretation of the “Digital Tiger” face, slim vertical LED headlights, and a robust front bumper. The rear of the vehicle showcases a connected LED taillamp setup akin to Kia”s current lineup, with a crossover-like appeal attributed to its sharp C-pillar. However, the overall profile retains a boxy shape with upright A and B pillars and a flat roofline.
The interior of the EV3 concept boasts a minimalist cabin design with minimal physical controls on the dashboard. It features a twin-screen setup consisting of a digital instrument console and a touchscreen infotainment system, like Kia”s current offerings. The cabin is adorned in a pleasant green hue with beige inserts. The second row offers glimpses of a high floor, a folding center armrest, and seating for two occupants.
While Kia has not yet disclosed specific details about the EV3″s powertrain, it is anticipated to feature a battery with a capacity ranging from 50-70 kWh. This could include both single and dual-motor setups, with power outputs expected to fall in the range of 200 bhp to 300 bhp. The EV3 is also likely to offer features such as Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) and Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) functionalities and support DC fast charging with capabilities of up to 175 kW.
