- New entry-level electric SUV for Kia
- India launch expected
Earlier this year, Kia released full details of the new EV3. It’s the new electric SUV from the Korean carmaker after the flagship EV9. Of course, there is also the EV6 which has been recently face-lifted. Kia India is about to launch the EV9 while the facelifted EV6 and the EV3 will eventually make it to the Indian market. It’s the EV3 though, the smallest of the new range of EVs from Kia, which has gotten all our interest.
The EV3 Long Range version has a claimed range of up to 600km (WLTP). It is the first model to feature Kia's new i-Pedal 3.0 regenerative braking tech, which allows the driver to adjust the level of regenerative braking according to their preference, enabling one-pedal driving. Full one-pedal driving can be used in all regenerative braking modes rated from 0 to 3, with the most substantial Level 3 braking ideal for driving in heavy start-stop traffic, where drivers may need to slow the car quickly. Kia says this has also been optimised with a more linear calibration for smoother operation.
Level 2 provides slightly less braking force, an ideal setting on a winding road, enabling drivers to slow down for corners without touching the brake pedal. Kia says this approach can extract more driving range from each battery charge. On a long highway journey, Level 1 or even Level 0 is the one to use, which allows the EV3 to glide when lifting off the accelerator. Then there is also i-Pedal mode on Level 0 which enables the EV3 to coast fully while bringing a similar deceleration rate to Level 1 at lower speeds.
Besides this new form of regenerative tech, the EV3 has also been aerodynamically optimised to extract as much range as possible from every charge. The standard model is offered with a 58.3kWh battery, while the EV3 Long Range variant is fitted with an 81.4kWh battery. Both models utilise a 150kW/283Nm electric motor, which allows for a best 0-100kmph acceleration time of 7.5 seconds. The EV3's maximum speed is 170kmph.
