Kia teases potential buyers of compact EVs with pics of EV3

Sneak Preview

A partial picture of the new Kia EV3 will hopefully intrigue buyers

Eddie Cunningham

​Kia is teasing motorists who are thinking of a compact, battery electric vehicle (BEV) with the first “images” of its new EV3 production crossover.

It will be officially unveiled on Thursday, May 23.

And it will go on sale later this year following the world premiere.

Its design echoes the blueprint of the larger – and I mean far larger – award-winning EV9 SUV from the brand.

It can do so because of its “Opposites United” design strategy, which bestows a licence to give each vehicle its own look and feel. The sneak-preview images emphasise the front and rear.

Kia expects the arrival of the new compact crossover will broaden the base of buyers, however tough that may sound in the current context of a static, and in many cases dwindling, electric car market.

The car will use the Hyundai Motor group’s bespoke electric E-GMP platform.

Experts say that will allow it to cater for a range of powertrains and battery sizes.