Kia has further enlarged its electric car line-up with a compact hatch and sedan.

SHARING from the New Zealand distributor for Kia of images about a new electric car the South Korean make plans to have in production comes without any comment about potential local consideration.

Detail about the EV4 has gone public in the lead up to an event in Spain called ‘Kia EV Day.” It’s the second year for this exercise, which is about the brand sharing information about new models and its future plans. The inaugural event was in South Korea.

Kia New Zealand has only been forthcoming with the images; it’s communication today merely echoed the head office corporate line and steered wholly clear of any local indications.

It will be made in both five-door hatch and four-door sedan styles, though the latter is very rakish for that genre. You need to closely assess the images to see a shut line near the base of the sloping rear window.

A compact electric sedan is something new for Kiwis to consider. Another point of interest is that the electric sedan is very similar in look to the Kia K4, a car that has already been launched on North American markets and has been indicated as a starter in this part of the world. Or, more specifically, the part that’s on the other side of the Tasman Sea. Australia.

EV4 is from the same school of design that has already delivered the EV9 SUV and the pert EV3. Kia calls it “Opposites United” and it includes distinctive treatment of the wheelarches. Up front there’s an EV-specific take on the firm’s “Tiger Nose” grille with vertically styled lights and a distinctive LED arrangement referred to as the “Star Map”.

Kia hasn’t released any technical information on the EV4 as yet. If it adopts the EV5’s powertrain, it’s likely to get a 162kW electric motor driving the front wheels with 310Nm of torque, potentially with a choice of battery packs, with 64kWh and 88kWh usable capacities.

“The Kia EV4 is a clear reflection of our commitment to rethink mobility, and expand the boundaries of what design can achieve. By offering both saloon and hatchback variants, we are bringing to our customers, the unique experience of modernity and practicality that defines the Kia EV family, in a way that suits their varied lifestyles and needs,” said Karim Habib, executive vice president and head of Kia global design.

“Offering a fresh take on the saloon, the EV4 saloon features a sleek, low nose and long-tail silhouette. The EV4 hatchback is a nimble, versatile all-rounder. Distinctive and clean, it is built to excel in any situation.”