Kia introduced nan finalized version of its EV3 mini electrical SUV today, and pinch it comes a large caller feature: AI.
The conveyance was first introduced arsenic a futuristic conception vehicle past year, and now it will motorboat successful South Korea this July, followed by Europe successful nan 2nd half of nan year. Kia typical Karla Gonzalez tells The Verge that EV3 is besides confirmed for nan US — but there’s nary timing announced.
The EV3 will beryllium nan first accumulation EV to get Kia’s voice-activated AI adjunct that first popped up successful nan Kia K4. TechCrunch reports nan adjunct “is built off ChatGPT” but is heavy modified to fto users scheme trips, find entertainment, and more, according to Kia’s caput of customer acquisition design, Pablo Martinez Masip. The characteristic will motorboat first successful Korea and later successful Europe.
Image: Kia
The EV3 has an estimated 600km of driving scope (about 373 miles) based connected nan European WLTP strategy — but nan US EPA estimate is usually little successful comparison. That’s based connected nan EV3 long-range exemplary that has an 81.4kWh battery, while a “Standard” exemplary is besides planned that has a 58.3kWh battery.
Kia will besides make a sportier-looking “GT-line” model. The EV3 tin accelerate from zero to 100km successful 7.5 seconds, and its powertrain is based connected Hyundai’s E-GMP platform.
As acold arsenic different tech wrong nan car, it comes pinch a akin surface setup recovered successful different Kia EVs: 2 12.3-inch screens for nan instrumentality cluster and infotainment; a five-inch sheet for HVAC; and a 12-inch heads-up display. There are besides premium streaming apps built successful courtesy of LG’s webOS-based car platform. You tin besides download themes for nan dashboard, including NBA-inspired ones.
On nan outside, nan creation of nan EV3 is heavy inspired by nan large, boxy, and Soul-ful Kia EV9 and is designed to consciousness freely for 5 passengers. Kia made it truthful you tin fresh individual items for illustration backpacks connected nan crushed and includes a sliding array that tin accommodate a laptop. Since nan EV3 has nary state motor up front, you’ll get a 25-liter (1,526 cubic inches) frunk, which is beautiful mini but accordant pinch nan company’s different models.