Kia Naimo Concept can go 124 miles on a single charge

Kia Naimo Concept
Kia Naimo Concept

Peter Schreyer, the new German design chief of South Korea’s Kia Motors Corp., has done a lot to keep Kia clear of Korean styling and offering some nice aggressive vehicles to the brand’s lineup. However, his latest concept, known as the Naimo, goes back to Kia roots.

The Kia Naimo concept derives its name from the Korean word ‘Ne-mo,’ which means square shape – and that’s exactly what the Naimo is, a square shaped electric crossover utility vehicle.

“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,” commented Kia Motors’ Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer.

Power for the Kia Naimo comes from a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor with a maximum output of 107-hp and a maximum torque of 206 lb-ft. That allows the Naimo to hit a top speed of 93 mph. The electric-motor gets its ‘fuel’ from a twin-pack 27 kWh lithium-ion battery is located under the boot floor. On a full charge, the Naimo can travel a total of 124 miles. Under quick recharging the battery can reach 80 percent charge in 25 minutes. Under a normal charge, 100 percent power is reached in 5 and a half hours.

Will it be produced for the masses? For now, Kia says that the Naimo will join the brand’s growing test fleet of hybrid, electric and fuel-cell vehicles and will be studied for future production.

Check out the press talk after the jump.

Kia Naimo Concept:

Kia Naimo Concept Kia Naimo Concept Kia Naimo Concept Kia Naimo Concept

Press Release:

  • Striking all-electric concept car makes world debut at Seoul Motor Show
  • 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 Seoul Motor Show today (Thursday), 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 crossover utility vehicle (CUV) was conceived by Kia’s international design team in Seoul, and is characterised principally by its simple lines and solid, muscular stance.

The simple overall design is accentuated by a number of striking key details, such as the wrap-around windscreen and asymmetric sunroof, and the front and rear dot-style LED head- and positioning-lamps. This mix of simple and complex is a common trait of many traditional Korean arts and crafts.

Kia’s design team also made use of innovative technology 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 transparent organic light emitting diode display instrument panel and full connectivity.

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-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 kph (93 mph).

A twin-pack 27 kWh battery is located under the boot floor and uses innovative Lithium Ion Polymer technology that offers numerous advantages over other battery types. 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 the quick recharging cycle (50 kW) the Naimo’s battery can be recharged to 80 percent of its capacity within 25 minutes. Under the normal cycle (3.3 kW), 100 percent power is attained after five and a half hours.

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.

– By: Omar Rana