Kia
used the Geneva Motor Show to introduce the stylish Imagine concept and now the
company has confirmed a production model is in the works. Speaking with Auto News Europe, Kia’s
European COO said the concept will “become a mass-produced vehicle in one or
two years” and ride on a dedicated electric vehicle platform. Emilio Herrera
later went on to clarify the vehicle will arrive in 2021.
Herrera
didn’t say much about the production model, but the Imagine concept was a
C-segment car that was billed as a combination of a “muscular sports utility
vehicle, a sleek and athletic family saloon, and a versatile and spacious
crossover.” It featured a striking design with an illuminated ‘tiger mask’
front end and a rakish windscreen which flowed into the roof. The concept was
also equipped with suicide rear doors and a practical frunk.
The
bold styling continued in the cabin as the Imagine featured four leather and
silk-covered seats, a floating center console and 21 high-resolution displays.
The latter won’t reach production as Kia has previously described them as a
“humorous and irreverent riposte to the on-going competition between some
automotive manufacturers to see who can produce the car with the biggest
screen.”
While
we won’t see a ton of screens in the production model, the dedicated platform
should allow the vehicle to have a spacious and airy interior just like the
concept. Kia
has been tight-lipped about performance specifications as the company only
disclosed the concept had a “low-mounted, induction-charged battery pack that
powers a compact drivetrain.”
Getting
back to the interview, Herrera also said the company is looking into the
possibility of creating a Picanto EV. He went on to suggest the vehicle hasn’t
been approved yet, but would cost around € 20,000 (US$ 22,366 / £ 17,080) if it
reaches production. Besides
talking about EVs, Herrera said a fuel cell vehicle will arrive either late
next year or in early 2021. Little is known about it, but it will presumably be
closely related to the Hyundai Nexo. Interestingly, Herrera revealed the
company isn’t expecting to sell that many FCVs as he acknowledged the Nexo is
also struggling.