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Production version of Kia Imagine concept due in 2021

In an interview with Automotive News Europe, Kia Europe COO Emilio Herrera said the Imagine concept that debuted at this year's Geneva Motor Show should turn into a production model "in one or two years." Gregory Guillaime, Kia's European VP of design, said the Imagine is a "large C-segment car" intentionally blurring the distinctions between body types, a press release describing the concept as "drawing together elements of a muscular sports utility vehicle, a sleek and athletic family saloon, and a versatile and spacious crossover." Herrera didn't give any details on how the production version will differ from the concept. Flourishes like the windshield glass flowing uninterrupted into the roof and the 21 interior screens aren't likely to make it out of the studio. We do know that Kia plans a new, pure EV architecture shared with Hyundai. This will support larger, more powerful electric offerings that boast more range than products like the Kia e-Niro and Soul EV. The e-Niro is rated at 282 miles on Europe's WLTP cycle, it's said Kia wants to hit 500 miles of range. The automaker would only say of the Imagine's powertrain that it is "a low-mounted, induction-charged battery pack that powers a compact drivetrain." More importantly, the powertrain will focus on performance, "approaching electrification purely from an emotional point of view,” and pitched by Autocar as competing against EVs like the Polestar 2. As a C-segment competitor like the Ford Focus or Volkswagen Golf, the chances of the Imagine making it to the U.S. are unknown. Herrera made his comments in a conversation about Europe's impending CO2 emissions regulations. At one point, Herrera explained the five methods he sees for dealing with the emissions caps, and we can already divide automakers among those five tactics. The Imagine, and other Kia vehicles with alternative powertrains on the way, are how the Korean automaker will avoid fines. The full interview is worth a read. Herrera lays out some of the difficulties in the EV landscape, such as achieving the necessary volumes, pricing, and battery supply, and explains why he doubts some competitor's claims about launching inexpensive subcompact EVs. Related Video:    

Electric Hummer is official, and Tesla's got momentum | Autoblog Podcast #612

In this week's Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Senior Editor Alex Kierstein and Senior Editor, Green, John Beltz Snyder. They start things off with a discussion of the week's news: GMC is launching an electric Hummer truck with a Super Bowl ad, and Tesla was profitable in Q4, sending its stock soaring. Then they talk about what they've been driving, including a super badass Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, the Kia Telluride and their long-term Volvo S60 PHEV. There's no "Spend My Money" segment this week, so send in your questions for future podcast episodes. Autoblog Podcast #612 Get The Podcast iTunes – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Rundown Hummer returns as electric GMC truck Further reading: Grappling with the dark side of EVs Tesla profitable for second straight quarter Cars we're driving: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500XD Kia Telluride (whose safety tech won Autoblog's 2020 Technology of the Year Award) Long-term Volvo S60 T8 update Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on iTunes Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Kia continues Ecology Center support, donates Soul EV

Kia is reaffirming its green side by continuing its support of The Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano, CA. In addition to events at the company's American headquarters in Irvine, CA, the Korean automaker is donating a Soul EV for the non-profit organization to use. The Center's goal is to educate the people of Southern California in food, water supply and energy conservation. This is the third year of Kia's partnership with the group. The Soul EV should go perfectly with last year's donation of two charging stations, too. To get people motivated about the environment, the Center offers events like film screenings, classes, and camps for kids. After it hit the market late last year, the Soul EV has proven reasonably popular. Sales started exclusive to California, but Kia recently decided to broaden the offering to Texas, Georgia, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii. The electric hatchback offers drivers 109 horsepower and 210 pound-feet of torque with an official 93-mile range from a 27-kWh, lithium-ion battery. KIA MOTORS AMERICA RENEWS PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ECOLOGY CENTER AND PROVIDES SOUL EV TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY OUTREACH EFFORTS Automaker's "Visionary" Sponsorship of San Juan Capistrano-Based Eco-Education Center Supports Awareness and Education about Food, Water Supply and Energy Conservation Partnership with The Ecology Center supports Kia's diverse corporate sustainability practices Two electric vehicle charging stations available at The Ecology Center IRVINE, Calif., June 23, 2015 – Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced the renewal of its partnership with The Ecology Center, a San Juan Capistrano, California-based non-profit eco-education center dedicated to creating a healthy and abundant future for all of Southern California and beyond. In its third year as a "Visionary" partner, Kia is providing the use of a 2015 Soul EV to The Ecology Center, which complements the two electric vehicle charging stations installed as part of the partnership last year. Kia and The Ecology Center will organize and carry out sustainability-themed learning projects at the KMA campus in Irvine, California, and in the surrounding community, and both organizations will continue work together to plan hands-on conservation and volunteer activities at The Center.