Sunday, May 1, 2011

Kia unveil all-electric Naimo concept

Green cars are expected to steal the limelight at this year's Seoul Motor Show in Korea, starting today. Among the line up is Kia's new all-electric concept, the Naimo.

In their home country, Kia unveiled the Naimo this morning for its world premier viewing – the model was designed to combine Korean heritage with innovative modern features.

The electric crossover utility vehicle takes its name from the Korean word "Ne-mo", meaning 'square shape' and is characterised principally by its simple lines and solid, muscular stance.

The Naimo is the third electric vehicle design to be unveiled by Kia Motors Corporation in the last 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.

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 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 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 50 kW recharging cycle, the Naimo's battery can be recharged to 80 percent of its capacity within 25 minutes, a feature which is likely to reduce the fear of running out of power for many of its users. Under the normal 3.3 kW cycle, 100 percent power is attained after five and a half hours.

Kia's design team have made use of innovative technologies to give the Naimo a premium feel, such as replacing door mirrors with miniature cameras installed into the A-pillars. The interior aethestics are also of unique quality – Korean oak is used to trim the interior door panels and the entire interior floor whilst a transparent organic light emitting diode display forms the

instrument panel.

"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.

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.