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This Kia Pride EV restomod comes with a 5-speed manual gearbox!

Kia Pride EV 02

In conjunction with its 80th anniversary, Kia UK has unveiled a restomod project of the 1990s small hatchback bearing the Kia Pride EV brand.

This compact car was originally a rebranded version of the Ford Festiva, and was also marketed as the Mazda 121 model.

While it used to be equipped with 1.1 and 1.3-liter internal combustion engines, this latest restomod project has replaced these powerplants with a zero-emission powertrain unit producing 107 hp and 235 Nm of torque.

Utilizing expertise from Electrogenic, Kia has retained the original five-speed manual transmission, albeit with a performance-oriented clutch kit.

Despite the stated changes, the overall weight of this Pride EV is only 870 kg, which is 20 kg heavier than the original model.

For comparison, the modern EV6 from Kia, featuring a single electric motor with 225 hp, has a curb weight of around 2,065 kg.

The Kia Pride also offers several driving mode options.

In Eco mode, it limits power to 60 hp/118 Nm with a 0-100 km/h acceleration in 11.8 seconds, similar to the original ICE model.

The Auto driving mode (80 hp/176 Nm) offers a more modern EV driving experience, along with suitable regenerative braking function for urban use.

The Sport mode allows for a 0-100 km/h acceleration in eight seconds.

These sporty characteristics are well hidden as a key part of this car’s sleeper appeal, including the retention of the original 12-inch tire size and authentic rim caps.

Furthermore, the charging socket is also discreetly hidden behind the original fuel filler cap, which can be locked from the outside.

Other than the standard exterior appearance, Kia has only upgraded a few aspects, such as the White Pearl exterior paint, front and rear lights, and new upholstery for the cabin space.

Additionally, the original instrument cluster is still retained, with the only change being the fuel gauge, which has been converted into a battery capacity indicator.

One noticeable drawback of the Kia Pride EV is its limited range, approximately 193 km only.

This is because, unlike modern EVs, the Kia Pride EV has been fitted with two battery packs each with a capacity of 10 kWh (one in the front and one under the trunk floor).

With a charging power of 3.3 kW, it takes about six hours to fully charge.

Considering the level of craftsmanship exhibited by the Kia Pride EV, it would not be surprising for local manufacturers to embark on a restomod project using iconic models such as the Proton Saga Knight or Perodua Kancil.

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