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Kia Naimo Electric Concept

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1st April, 2011

  • Striking all-electric concept car makes world debut at Seoul Motor Show
  • Kia Naimo expresses sophistication through simplicity of design
  • B-segment electric utility vehicle combines Korean heritage with high-tech innovations

Making its world premiere at the 2011 Seoul Motor Show yesterday (Thursday 31st March), the Kia Naimo electric concept car combines Korean heritage with innovative modern features.

Taking its name from the Korean word “Ne-mo”, (pronounced ‘Neh-mo’, meaning ‘square shape’), the Naimo electric cross-over utility vehicle (CUV) was planned by Kia’s international design team in Seoul, and is characterised principally by its simple lines and 'muscular' stance.

The uncomplicated overall design is accentuated by a number of striking key details, such as the wraparound windscreen and asymmetric sunroof design, and the front and rear dot-style LED head- and positioning-lamps. This juxtaposition of simple and complex is a common trait of many traditional Korean arts and crafts. Asian Celadon-style pottery, in particular, was a major influence on the car’s styling – with the pottery’s asymmetric form lending itself to the sunroof design, and the typical jade colouring giving Naimo its unique exterior finish.

Kia’s design team also made use of innovative technology features to give the car a premium feel and to ensure the car’s exterior remained uncluttered. For example, Naimo has no traditional wiper blade on the windscreen – instead it employs a high-intensity air jet at the base of the windscreen that performs an ‘air wiper’ function.  Conventional door mirrors have also been replaced with miniature cameras installed in the A-pillars.

Naimo’s interior was designed to evoke a strong sense of tranquility and features hand-crafted materials throughout. Korean oak is used to trim the interior door panels and the entire interior floor, Korean “Han-ji” paper is used for the head lining. Alongside these traditional elements sit modern features such as a TOLED (transparent organic light emitting diode) storming display instrument panel and full device connectivity.

“Naimo is a perfect balance of innovation, high-tech and Korean tradition. It was heavily inspired by the purity and grace of traditional Korean arts and crafts, but combines this with cutting edge technologies to deliver a truly premium experience,” comments Kia Motors’ Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer.

The third electric vehicle design to be unveiled by Kia Motors Corporation in a year, the 3.9-metre long Naimo concept explores the practicalities of introducing a zero-emissions, five-door, four-seater city car into a future niche market.

Measuring 3,890 mm in length, the Naimo’s generous wheelbase, width and height (2,647, 1,844 and 1,589 mm respectively) – plus the short overhangs which place a wheel at each corner – ensure that the cabin provides exceptional head, leg and shoulder room for the occupants.

The concept car has no B-pillars and features rear-hinged rear doors to maximise easy access to the cabin, and a three-way split opening boot, allowing versatile access to the load bay for varying luggage sizes.

Power comes from a PMSM (Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor) electric motor with a maximum output of 80 kW and maximum torque of 280 Nm, enabling Naimo to reach a top speed of 150 km/h.

A twin-pack 27kWh battery is located under the boot floor and uses innovative LiPoly (Lithium Ion Polymer) technology that offers numerous advantages over other battery types. Equipped with this battery, Naimo provides a driving range of 200 km on a single charge. To enhance range, the showcar is fitted with special low-drag 20-inch diameter alloy wheels.

Under the quick recharging cycle (50kW) the Naimo’s battery can be recharged to 80 per cent of its capacity within 25 minutes. Under the normal cycle (3.3kW), 100 per cent power is attained after five and a half hours.

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Naimo will join Kia’s growing test fleet of hybrid, electric and fuel-cell vehicles being extensively driven in widely varying conditions to develop future production models with zero or significantly reduced emissions.

Venga and POP pointed the electric way ahead

Also making their presence felt on Kia’s Seoul Motor Show stand will be the Venga and POP electric concepts unveiled by Kia last year at major motor shows in Europe – the Venga at Geneva and the POP at Paris.

The Venga EV concept car was the same size as Kia’s regular B-segment MPV and feature an electric powertrain placed within the existing engine bay and a twin-pack 24kWh battery located under the boot floor.

Unconventional features of the POP – its side-window design, dot-pattern head and taillights, back-lit front grille, full-length glass roof, and simplistic looking wheels – all point to inspiration from outside the usual automotive spheres, such as gliders and high-speed bicycles.

Inside, the purple colour scheme provides a calm and peaceful environment within the space-ship like three-seater cabin. Behind the front bench seat, the single rear seat is positioned at an offset angle, resulting in remarkable legroom for a 1,740 mm wide car with a wheelbase of just 2,055 mm.


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