OFFICIAL NEW KIA BLITZ

Covers will come off the new EV4 and EV5 in the second half of the year, with the smallest EV2 to follow. Petrol models are also in the pipeline

- Richard Ingram

AEX KIA is gearing up for another significant year as it plans to launch three new EVs, a range of electric vans, plus a smattering of petrol and hybrid models - including an all-new take on the Ceed family hatchback and a facelift for the big-selling Sportage.

The first electric model to make an appearance will be the Kia EV4, which Paul Philpott, president and CEO of Kia UK, told us to expect in "the second half of this year". The zero-emissions hatchback will be built at the firm's factory in Slovakia, and is designed to take on popular models such as the Cupra Born and Volkswagen ID.3.

We've seen the EV4 testing in both hatch (right) and four-door saloon guises. The former is likely to be the more popular in the UK, with a look inspired by the EV4 concept, plus the recently facelifted EV6. Expect thin vertical LED daytime running lights and separate headlight clusters, as well as a relatively clean front end with cooling in the lower part of the bumper.

No specifications have been revealed, but we expect the EV4 to sit on the same platform as the recently launched EV3 crossover, with the same two battery options but a slightly longer range thanks to its lower, more aerodynamic body.

That could theoretically mean 400 miles or more on a charge.

To be competitive in this hotly contested part of the market, Kia will need to achieve a starting price of around £30,000 while still offering the technology, range and charging speeds that buyers demand. Being able to lean heavily on its EV3 underpinnings will help the EV4 in this regard; that car gets a slick twinscreen dashboard and future-proofed vehicle-to-load (V2L) technology, and we expect the EV4 to follow suit.