Kia’s really been cranking out the cute little concepts lately, they usually unveiled another one today on the Seoul Motor Show. Dubbed the Naimo, this four suicide-door EV is trimmed to the nines with tech, including an “air wiper” — an impressive air jet on the base of the windshield — as opposed to regular squeegees, mini cameras within the A-pillar in preference to sideview mirrors, and a transparent OLED instrument panel. Rise up and go is supplied by an 80kW motor and a 27 kWh Lithium ion polymer battery pack, a combo that hustles you as much as 93mph and gets you 124 miles on a charge due to some fancy low-drag alloy dubs — though we’re pretty sure it is able to’t do both even as. We adore the appearance of this slick little four-seater, but time will tell if the Naimo ever actually hits the streets. Check the gallery below, and press release after the break.
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Kia Naimo expresses sophistication through simplicity of design
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(SEOUL) March 31, 2011 – Making its world premiere on 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 characterized principally by its simple lines and solid, muscular stance.
The uncomplicated overall design is accentuated by a lot of striking key details, including the wraparound windscreen and asymmetric sunroof design, and front and rear dot-style LED head- and positioning-lamps. This juxtaposition of straightforward and intricate is a typical trait of many traditional Korean arts and crafts. Asian Celadon-style pottery, particularly, was a big influence at the car’s styling – with the pottery’s asymmetric form lending itself to the sunroof design, and the common jade coloring giving Naimo its unique exterior finish.
Kia’s design team also made use of innovative technology features to offer the auto a premium feel and to confirm the automobile’s exterior remained uncluttered. For instance, Naimo has no traditional wiper blade at the windscreen – instead it employs a high-intensity air jet on the base of the windscreen that performs an ‘air wiper’ function. Conventional door mirrors have also been replaced with miniature cameras installed within the A-pillars.
Naimo’s interior was designed to awaken a powerful sense of tranquility and contours hand-crafted materials throughout. Korean oak is used to trim the inside door panels and the whole interior floor, Korean “Han-ji” paper is used for the pinnacle lining. Alongside these traditional elements sit modern features including a TOLED (transparent organic light emitting diode) storming display instrument panel and whole device connectivity.
“Naimo is an ideal balance of innovation, high-tech and Korean tradition. It was heavily inspired by the purity and beauty of traditional Korean arts and crafts, but combines this with innovative technologies to deliver a really premium experience,” comments Kia Motors’ Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer.
The third electric vehicle design to be unveiled by Kia Motors Corporation in a year, the three.9-meter long Naimo concept explores the practicalities of introducing a nil-emissions, five-door, four-seater city car right 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 fast overhangs which place a wheel at each corner – make sure that the cabin provides exceptional head, leg and shoulder room for the occupants.
The idea car has no B-pillars and contours rear-hinged rear doors to maximise easy accessibility to the cabin, and a 3-way split opening trunk, allows versatile access to the burden bay for varying luggage sizes.
Power comes from a PMSM (Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor) electric motor with a maximum output of 80 kW (109 ps) and maximum torque of 280 Nm, enabling Naimo to achieve a top speed of 150 kph (93 mph).
A twin-pack 27 kWh battery is found under the trunk floor and uses innovative LiPoly (Lithium Ion Polymer) technology that gives 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 improve range, the showcar is fitted with special low-drag 20-inch diameter alloy wheels.
Under the short recharging cycle (50 kW) the Naimo’s battery could be recharged to 80 percent of its capacity within 25 minutes. Under the traditional cycle (3.3 kW), 100% 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.
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