Kia Naimo Electric Concept Car Debuts in Seoul

South Korean manufacturer Kia Motors today took the wraps off a new electric car concept at the Seoul Motor Show, the third electric vehicle design to be unveiled by the company in a year. Dubbed Naimo (from the Korean word “Ne-mo”, meaning ‘square shape’), this is a 3.9-meter long electric crossover utility vehicle (CUV) concept that is meant to explores the practicalities of introducing a zero-emissions, five-door, four-seater city car into a future niche market.

Key design details include a wrap-around windscreen and asymmetric sunroof, and the front and rear dot-style LED head- and positioning-lamps. The Naimo also 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.

Interior highlights include Korean oak used to trim the interior door panels and the entire interior floor, while Korean “Han-ji” paper is used for the head lining.  Modern features such as a transparent organic light emitting diode display instrument panel and full connectivity are also included.

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

Power comes from a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor with a maximum output of 80 kW (109 ps) and maximum torque of 280 Nm, enabling Naimo to reach a top speed of 150 km/h (93 mph).

A twin-pack 27 kWh battery is located under the boot floor and uses innovative Lithium Ion Polymer technology. Equipped with this battery, Naimo provides a driving range of 200 km (124 miles) on a single charge. To enhance range, the showcar is fitted with special low-drag 20-inch diameter alloy wheels.

“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,” Kia says.