Islamabad, Oct 8: Kia Marks 80th Anniversary by Revamping a Classic Car with Electric Power. In 2024, Kia will celebrate its 80th anniversary by modernizing and turning one of its iconic models into an electric vehicle (EV).
For this unique endeavor, Kia UK has selected the 1993 Pride LX from their heritage collection. The car’s five-speed manual transmission and electric motor, which replaces the vehicle’s original 1.3-liter gasoline engine, offer a unique combination of contemporary technology and retro appeal.
With two 10-kilowatt-hour battery packs located beneath the hood and the rear cargo area, respectively, the redesigned Pride EV has a slight weight gain of 44 pounds, which contributes to the car’s overall weight distribution balance.
The original five-speed gearbox powers a single electric motor that powers the front wheels. Gearbox, which can now manage the increased power thanks to a high-performance clutch.
Three driving modes are available for the vehicle: Eco, Sport, and Auto. The vehicle can travel up to 120 miles between charges when in Eco mode. The goal of this mode is to imitate the driving experience of the original Pride by capping the power output to 60 horsepower and 118 Nm torque. In this mode, the vehicle can reach 62 miles per hour in 11.8 seconds.
With 107 horsepower and 234 Nm of torque from the electric motor, the Pride’s power is fully unleashed in Sport mode. With an increase in power over the original engine’s sixty horsepower, the automobile can now reach sixty-two miles per hour in around eight seconds.
The Pride becomes a more traditional electric car when it is in Auto mode. The driver engages a system that limits the power output to 75% of the total and emphasizes regenerative braking by engaging this mode and putting the gearbox in third gear. The gearbox ratio and the motor’s RPM in this mode also restrict the top speed.
The Pride’s exterior now has a new White Pearl paint, which is also seen on other Kia EV vehicles including the EV3 and EV6. The car’s interior has undergone various changes but is mostly original, with the exception of the headlights and taillights.
The fuel gauge has been rearranged to show battery charge levels, but the instrument cluster has remained intact. Lime green highlights on the floor mats and seats in the interior pay homage to the high-performance Kia EV6 GT. It is anticipated that Kia UK will conduct testing on the electric Pride, and the public will soon be able to see how the updated EV stacks up against its original design from three decades ago.
