Kia's radical 'POP' concept

By Nick Gibbs

August 2010

It was snap, crackle and Pop on the Kia stand! The Korean firm unveiled its startling concept battery car that looked a few years into the future.

With its angled, pill-shaped side windows, a windscreen running to the back of the car and capsule-like cabin, the three-metre-long Pop took its influence more from industrial design than cars.

Power comes from a battery-fed motor making 50kW and 190NM of torque – and it runs too. Check back in November when we take to the streets in it.

Outside the Kia family ‘tiger’ nose is visible in the perforated front grille, but otherwise this is a car that according to Kia design chief Peter Schreyer is likely to inspire a future look, just as the Kia Cube did for the Sportage.

Inside, an elevated glass panel above the brushed chrome dash service as a display, into which information on battery charge and speed are projected. The front bench folds down to give access to a third passenger, who sits sideways in what’s otherwise the boot when the seat base is flipped up.

Two cameras positioned low under the usual wing mirror spot will perform their function, projecting images into the car

According to Schreyer, the electric car will go the route of the computer, with people increasing buying on innovative design rather than just on power figures.

The Pop was the halo car for a new range of EcoDynamics cars Kia displayed, including a 75bhp 1.4-litre diesel version of the Venga that emits 114g/km of CO2. On sale around November, it features stop and start to cut the engine in traffic and improve fuel economy.

Next to it on the stand were two more EcoDynamics cars, including a 94g/km Cee’d that uses a 90bhp version of the same 1.4 diesel. With the same start-stop system and improved underbody dymamics, it’s just a concept at the moment but will form the basis of a sub 100g/km car from next year.

Less certain of production is the low-emission mild-hybrid version of the Sportage that has its 1.7 litre diesel mated to a 5kw electric motor.

Kia showed a battery-only Venga concept at Geneva this year and is working on a pure battery car.