All posts by Francis Mitterrand

News

Kia Targets Sub-€25K Electric City Car as EV Market Heats Up

As the auto industry accelerates toward electrification, Kia is not just keeping pace — it’s setting a course for an ambitious electric future. By the end of this decade, the South Korean automaker is poised to introduce a fresh generation of electric vehicles, software-defined architectures, and even a return to simplicity in design. The company’s roadmap blends affordability, intelligence, and versatility — and it’s aimed squarely at both developed EV markets and underserved global regions.

A New Electric Chapter: From Flagship to Entry-Level

Kia’s current electric lineup — the EV3, EV6, and EV9 — will soon be joined by the EV4 and EV5 this year, with the EV2 landing in 2026. But the real story lies just beyond the horizon. The brand is working on a new entry-level EV, priced below €25,000, aimed at consumers looking for affordable electric mobility. This sub-EV2 model could mark a pivotal moment for the EV market, offering a real alternative to internal combustion without sacrificing quality or style.

Interestingly, Kia’s CEO Ho Sung Song sees this model not as an afterthought, but as an integral part of the company’s future. Although the venerable Picanto city car remains strong in sales — especially after its 2023 facelift — its eventual successor will almost certainly be electric. Whether the two will overlap in showrooms depends on evolving CO₂ regulations in Europe.

The inspiration behind this new breed of Kia? Simplicity. Design boss Karim Habib cites Japanese retailer Muji as a creative muse — a brand that values utility, minimalism, and adaptability. Kia is exploring how to build vehicles that are stripped to their essential form, but remain highly customizable. That mindset could be the key to delivering desirable, affordable EVs to a global market.

Software-Defined Vehicles: The EV Brain Revolution

But Kia’s ambitions stretch well beyond creating more EVs — the company is engineering smarter ones.

Kia is embracing software-defined vehicle (SDV) architecture, a systems-focused evolution that replaces fragmented electronic subsystems with centralized computing. This unified brain allows for streamlined updates, reduced development costs, and the flexibility to offer personalized digital experiences across the model range.

Development of the SDV platform has been underway for over three years, and the first tangible sign of progress may come as early as next year in the form of the SDV Pace Car concept — a glimpse at the brand’s digital future. The next-gen EV6 and EV9, due before 2030, will be among the first models to adopt the 800V SDV architecture.

“Because we are decoupling hardware and software, we can be more flexible making different kinds of vehicles based on the same platform,” said Song. It’s a move that signals not just smarter cars, but faster and cheaper development cycles — a win for both Kia and its customers.

Beyond the Car: Vans, Pick-Ups, and Range-Extenders

Kia’s electrification strategy isn’t confined to passenger vehicles. The brand is entering new territory with a dedicated PBV (Platform Beyond Vehicle) lineup — think electric vans and pickup trucks. The PV5 will lead the charge, followed by the larger PV7 in 2027 and PV9 in 2029.

To support larger, heavier vehicles, Kia is also exploring extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs), or range-extenders — a hybridized system that uses a combustion engine to recharge the battery when needed. These are particularly promising in markets where pure EVs remain impractical due to infrastructure limitations.

“The final destination in Europe is EVs,” said Song, “but if we look at worldwide demand we should have alternative powertrains, like hybrids, plug-in hybrids and EREVs.” This reflects Kia’s pragmatic approach — leading with EVs where possible, while offering flexibility where needed.

Design Renaissance: Simplicity Meets Innovation

Despite rapid innovation, Kia isn’t forgetting the emotional appeal of car design. Song acknowledged that while the current design philosophy has served the brand well for five years, it’s time to evolve. Habib confirmed that fresh concept cars are coming, and while details remain under wraps, the emphasis is clear: stay bold, stay fresh.

Kia is also investing in in-vehicle AI assistants — developed in partnership with tech giants like Samsung — to offer users more intuitive and connected experiences. Customers increasingly expect their vehicles to mirror the digital ecosystems they live in, and Kia intends to meet them there.

The Road Ahead

Kia’s vision is both grounded and forward-looking. It recognizes the real-world complexity of a global market while embracing a fully electric, software-integrated future. Whether it’s delivering an EV city car under €25,000, pioneering intelligent vehicle architecture, or expanding into commercial electrification, the brand is clearly not content with standing still.

As we look toward 2030, it’s clear that Kia doesn’t just want to be part of the EV era — it wants to define it.

Source: Kia

News

ZF Revives Range Extender Tech with New eRE and eRE+ Systems

Sometimes, a great idea just needs time to find the right moment. Take the range extender — a technology that’s quietly lingered on the fringe of electrified mobility for decades. Now, thanks to ZF Friedrichshafen’s ambitious eRE and eRE+ systems, it might be poised for a dramatic return, bringing with it a smarter, more versatile approach to electric driving.

The Rebirth of a Forgotten Hero

The basic idea of a range extender is simple yet clever: an electric vehicle (EV) with an onboard generator powered by a small combustion engine. This generator charges the battery while on the move, ensuring that drivers aren’t tethered to charging stations. It’s the kind of solution that made early EV adopters take notice, especially when General Motors launched the Chevrolet Volt in 2011 — a series hybrid that operated primarily on electric power but could call upon a small gasoline engine when needed.

Despite the promise, range extenders never truly caught on. Larger batteries, the rise of plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), and improved charging infrastructure overshadowed the REEV (Range-Extended Electric Vehicle) concept. But now, ZF — one of the world’s leading tier-one automotive suppliers — is betting big on a revival.

Enter the eRE and eRE+: Modular, Scalable, Smart

In November 2023, ZF announced its next-generation range extender systems: the electric Range Extender (eRE) and the eRE+, developed at its Shanghai technical center to address China’s booming appetite for REEVs. These systems are modular, compact, and adaptable, aimed squarely at making integration easy for automakers and adoption seamless for consumers.

The eRE consists of a permanently excited synchronous motor (PSM) acting as a generator, paired with an inverter and a small combustion engine — all optimized for both 400V and 800V vehicle architectures. It uses either traditional silicon or advanced silicon carbide semiconductors, allowing flexibility based on cost or performance goals. Power output ranges from 70 to 110 kW (94 to 148 hp), which is sufficient for keeping batteries topped up during long drives without overburdening the system.

Then there’s the eRE+, a more advanced configuration that adds a planetary gearset, a differential, and an intelligent clutch. This turns the motor-generator into a dual-purpose unit: not only can it charge the battery, but it can also power the front wheels, enabling four-wheel drive. The eRE+ reaches power outputs of up to 150 kW (201 hp), effectively transforming the once humble range extender into a performance-capable, all-wheel-drive contributor.

The Appeal: Simplicity Meets Sustainability

Compared to PHEVs, REEVs have distinct advantages. Since propulsion is always electric, the mechanical complexity is reduced — no need to juggle torque delivery between an ICE and e-motor. The onboard generator simply charges the battery, allowing for a smaller pack, which cuts weight and cost. That makes REEVs especially attractive for developing markets or regions with patchy charging infrastructure.

Kay Schmidt, Product Line Manager at ZF, underscores the environmental appeal: “We recognized the advantages of range extenders early on… Our modular solution significantly reduces the carbon footprint compared to PHEVs.”

Furthermore, using proven components from ZF’s electric and hybrid portfolio keeps development costs low and boosts reliability. It’s a plug-and-play strategy that reduces the engineering burden for automakers — a major factor as they juggle multiple electrification strategies.

Industry Momentum and Market Outlook

While China has been the key growth engine for REEVs, Europe and North America may soon follow. Automakers like Hyundai, Ford, and Stellantis are reportedly evaluating ZF’s technology, with vehicle launches expected within the next two years. With pressure mounting to decarbonize fleets while maintaining affordability and usability, REEVs could offer a practical middle ground.

ZF plans to begin volume production of its eRE and eRE+ systems in 2026. If successful, we could witness a resurgence of the range extender not just as a niche solution, but as a mainstream bridge toward full electrification.

Final Thoughts: From Relic to Relevance

The story of the range extender mirrors the broader EV transition — full of false starts, course corrections, and evolving priorities. But with advancements like ZF’s eRE lineup, the concept is no longer just a relic of early EV experimentation. It’s becoming a serious contender in the electrified powertrain landscape.

As infrastructure races to catch up and battery tech continues to evolve, range extenders may just fill that critical gap — not as a fallback, but as a forward-thinking solution.

Source: ZF Friedrichshafen

News

Lamborghini Delays Electric Urus to 2035, Next-Gen SUV Stays Plug-In Hybrid

In a strategic pivot reflecting the uncertainty of global regulations and EV market dynamics, Lamborghini has confirmed that the next-generation Urus will continue as a plug-in hybrid, delaying the launch of a fully electric version until 2035. The decision marks a notable shift from the brand’s previous roadmap, which had slated the high-performance SUV for electrification before the end of the decade.

Speaking to Autocar, Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann cited the unpredictable pace of regulatory changes as the driving factor behind the revised plan. “We want to have a new generation again as a plug-in hybrid,” Winkelmann stated. “This is something very important for us and for the customers. And they were very happy to hear about this.”

Originally, the Urus was expected to transition to a fully electric powertrain following its 2024 switch to a hybrid-only lineup. However, the updated timeline now positions the next-generation Urus SE plug-in hybrid to debut around 2029, with the all-electric variant delayed to 2035—coinciding with the European Union’s zero-emissions mandate for new vehicles.

While Winkelmann offered no specifics on the new hybrid model’s performance, it is expected to build upon the current Urus SE’s 789 hp, produced by a twin-turbocharged V8 paired with an electric motor. This makes it the most powerful Urus to date and a fitting blueprint for the next evolution of Lamborghini’s best-selling nameplate.

The move mirrors broader trends within the Volkswagen Group, as sister brand Porsche also announced plans to continue selling its internal combustion-powered Cayenne—on which the Urus is based—alongside a new EV variant. The decision is rooted in profitability concerns, particularly as global enthusiasm for EVs cools and infrastructure remains inconsistent.

Asked whether the electric Urus could launch earlier and coexist with its plug-in sibling, Winkelmann remained non-committal. “Now we have decided for the next generation,” he said. “We have enough time to see what is happening in terms of acceptance, in terms of regulations, and in terms of infrastructure and, last but not least, also in terms of generational change.”

Notably, while Porsche’s upcoming Cayenne will be a facelifted iteration of the current model, Lamborghini’s next Urus will be an entirely new generation, promising fresh design language—though Winkelmann declined to provide details, stating only that “future car designs are not yet fixed.”

Meanwhile, Lamborghini’s first full EV—the production version of the Lanzador concept—remains on track for a 2029 debut, following a delay from its original 2028 launch window. Still, that date is not set in stone. “We still have seven months of window to decide what to do next,” Winkelmann said. “We are very flexible and we are constantly thinking when it should be.”

He attributed the reconsideration to the slower-than-anticipated pace of global EV adoption. “We already postponed the car, because we saw that the adoption curve of the electrification around the globe is [under] the forecast we had a couple of years ago,” he explained. Additionally, he acknowledged that shortening product life cycles and constantly evolving regulations are adding further complexity to long-term planning.

Lamborghini’s cautious but calculated approach to electrification illustrates a broader industry reckoning with the realities of market readiness, regulatory flux, and customer sentiment. For now, the Urus will retain its V8-powered plug-in credentials, bridging the gap between combustion and full electrification—at least until the path ahead becomes clearer.

Source: Autocar