Kia Naimo Electric Concept Debuts: 2011 Seoul Auto Show
Published Mar 31, 2011
The Kia Naimo, an electric concept car that combines high-tech and traditional Korean arts-and-crafts materials, debuted on Thursday at the 2011 Seoul Auto Show.
It is equipped with a 107-horsepower permanent magnet synchronous motor and a twin-pack battery that uses lithium-ion polymer technology.
The Naimo has a top speed of 93 mph and a driving range of 124 miles on a single charge, says Kia.
SEOUL, South Korea — The chunky-looking Kia Naimo, an electric concept car that combines high-tech and traditional Korean arts-and-crafts materials, debuted on Thursday at the 2011 Seoul Auto Show.
Kia would not confirm any production plans for the car, saying in a statement that it “explores the practicalities of introducing a zero-emissions, five-door, four-seater city car into a future niche market.”
Naimo, pronounced “ne-mo,” means “square shape” in Korean, said Kia in a statement. It bears a passing resemblance to the Kia Soul, but is more low-slung and substantial-looking.
Key design details include a wraparound windshield, an asymmetric sunroof, headlights that use a dot pattern and 20-inch alloy wheels. Designers skipped the conventional windshield wiper and instead use a high-intensity air jet at the base of the windshield that wipes it clean.
The Naimo is equipped with a 107-horsepower permanent magnet synchronous motor and a twin-pack battery that uses lithium-ion polymer technology. It has a top speed of 93 mph and a driving range of 124 miles on a single charge, according to the Korean automaker.
The cabin gets Korean oak door panels and floor, while Korean han-ji paper is used for the headliner.
“Naimo is a perfect balance of innovation, high-tech and Korean tradition,” said Peter Schreyer, Kia Motors’ chief design officer, in a statement.
Inside Line says: The Holy Grail for auto designers is being able to successfully weave cultural elements into a vehicle. Looks like the Kia Naimo is a valiant effort in that regard. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent