Kia EV5 leaked ahead of 2024 Aussie launch
Chinese homologation documents spoil the all-new small electric SUV’s big reveal set for August 25The exterior design and key mechanical specifications of the 2024 Kia EV5 have been prematurely revealed in China via the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) homologation database.
According to CarNewsChina, the Chinese-built EV5 will be powered by a single-motor powertrain outputting 160kW/310Nm and drawing current from a BYD-sourced lithium iron phosphate Blade battery.
The production-spec EV5 isn’t due to be revealed until August 25 at the Chengdu motor show and yet the Chinese homologation images detail just about every facet of the EV5’s exterior design, which has changed very little compared to the concept version shown in January beyond the lengths and angles of some lines here and there.
Even the concept’s aero-friendly tri-spoke wheels have made the cut.
The data accompanying the images also reportedly reveal the EV5’s 4615mm length, 1875mm width, 1715mm height and 2750mm wheelbase – figures that make the upcoming electric SUV about 45mm shorter than the current-generation Sportage but 10mm wider and 50mm taller, on a 5mm shorter wheelbase.
Market-particular specification details are yet to be announced, but according to the MIIT the EV5 will tip the scales at 1870kg, making it 130kg lighter than the Kia EV6 Air.
No cruising range or battery capacity is mentioned anywhere in the cited data but odds are the EV5 will ship with similar battery capacities of between 60-80kWh – at least in markets like Australia where customers have bigger distances to cover.
Kia Australia is yet to formally confirm the EV5 for our market, let alone announce any possible launch timing, but we’ve heard murmurs of a mid-2024 release being on the cards.
CarNewsChina says the model will go on sale in its native market in November, which adds weight to that sort of local launch timing.
The Korean brand will back-up the EV5’s local arrival with the release of the smaller Kia EV4 later next year, before the pint-size EV3 breaks cover in 2025 – the same year the Kia EV9 GT mothership is set to launch globally – at which point Kia will offer a light, small, medium, large and extra-large electric SUV.
Related: 2024 Kia EV4 coming
Related: Kia EV9 GT confirmed for 2025
Related: Kia Concept EV5 previews all-electric Sportage alternative
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