Kia unveils Naimo electric concept at Seoul
31 March 2011
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The Naimo electric concept. Click to enlarge. |
Kia staged the world premiere of the Naimo electric concept car at the Seoul Motor Show. Taking its name from the Korean word “Ne-mo”, meaning “square shape”, the Naimo electric crossover utility vehicle (CUV) is the third electric vehicle design to be unveiled by Kia Motors Corporation in a year.
Power comes from a PMSM (Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor) electric motor with a maximum output of 80 kW (107 hp) and maximum torque of 280 N·m (207 lb-ft), enabling Naimo to reach a top speed of 150 km/h (93 mph). A twin-pack 27 kWh battery is located under the trunk floor and uses LiPoly (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.
Under a quick recharging cycle (50 kW) the Naimo’s battery can be recharged to 80% of its capacity within 25 minutes. Under the normal cycle (3.3 kW), 100% power is attained after five and a half hours.
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.
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 trunk, allows versatile access to the load bay for varying luggage sizes.
Naimo will join Kia’s test fleet of hybrid, electric and fuel-cell vehicles being driven in widely varying conditions to develop future production models with zero or significantly reduced emissions.
Also appearing on Kia’s Seoul Motor Show stand will be the Venga and POP electric concepts unveiled by Kia last year at major international 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 features an electric powertrain placed within the existing engine bay and a twin-pack 24 kWh battery located under the trunk floor.
I have thought that Kia, Suzuki and others could make EVs with very little risk. It is not rocket science and they can test the market without a huge investment. People want brand names, but they do not need the biggest companies for EVs.
Posted by: SJC | 31 March 2011 at 09:25 AM
Wow, only a nimble little car company could make a big success out of a vehicle so blatantly beaten with the ugly stick!! Go Kia!!
Posted by: Reel$$ | 31 March 2011 at 09:58 AM
It is a bit odd looking. Like the Leaf, they make a styling point out of a closed front end for better aerodynamics at speed. People are used to a grill, so it takes some getting used to.
Posted by: SJC | 31 March 2011 at 11:47 AM
I must say I realy hate the boxy look thats in fasion now.
Posted by: wintermane2000 | 01 April 2011 at 06:28 PM
The new Focus has a louvered grill that opens and closes according to speed, when you go faster the grill closes to reduce drag.
Posted by: SJC | 02 April 2011 at 04:27 PM