Kia UK has crafted a gem to celebrate the automaker’s 80th anniversary. They have used the Kia Pride hatchback from the ’90s to transform into this surprise package that is an ideal sleeper– that will leave anyone in the dust. Why? Because the Pride, in its EV form, delivers 77% more power than its traditional version. All thanks to UK-based Electrogenic.
Pride belongs to an era when the South Korean automaker Kia was in its infancy and used to build cars based on the technology acquired from other automakers. Hence, the hatchback was based on a Ford Fiesta with a Mazda engine under its hood. It came with 1.1L and 1.3L engine options, with the latter putting out around 60 hp.
Interestingly, the Pride EV retains the 5-speed manual transmission which means the gearbox now has to deal with 107 hp (109 PS / 80 kW) of power, and as much as 235 Nm of torque instead of the usual 135 Nm. While significantly improved, those figures still pale in comparison to the 225 hp (228 PS / 168 kW) of even the least powerful single-motor Kia EV6. However, the EV6 weighs 2,065 kg, whereas the electrified Pride comes in at just under 900 kg, including the EV setup.
Like the EV6, the Pride EV features multiple drive modes. In Eco mode, power is restricted to 60 hp (61 PS / 45 kW) and torque to 87 lb-ft (118 Nm), providing acceleration similar to that of the original ICE model (0-62 mph in 11.8 seconds). Auto mode offers a more contemporary EV experience, allowing drivers to keep the Pride in third gear without worrying about shifting gears, while also enhancing regenerative braking. However, top speed is limited due to the gear ratio, making it unsuitable for motorway driving. With 80 hp (81 PS / 60 kW) and 130 lb-ft (176 Nm) available, it should feel lively during city driving.
Related: 10 Interesting Facts About KIA
Finally, there’s Sport mode, which unlocks the full 107 hp and 235Nm, enabling an estimated 0-100km/h time of around 8 seconds. While this is very slightly slower than the base 225 hp EV6, which achieves 0-100 km/h in 7.7 seconds without any gears to shift, it benefits from a modern set of wider tires compared to the Pride’s modest 12-inch ones.
However, those small original wheels and plastic caps are essential to the car’s sleeper charm. Even the charging socket is concealed beneath the standard fuel filler flap. Most people would likely assume it’s a perfectly preserved classic, despite a few subtle upgrades.
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On the outside, the Pride EV wears a Pearl White paint with mild tweaks in headlamps and tail lights. The interior gets lime green stitching that references the interior details of the EV6 GT. It even retains its original instrument pack, with the conventional fuel gauge turned into a remaining charge indicator.
The vehicle features two 10 kWh battery packs—one located under the hood and another beneath the trunk floor. The 3.3 kW on-board charger takes 6 hours to fully charge both batteries from empty. However, the Pride’s light weight allows it to achieve a practical range of 193 km on a full charge, which is likely more than anyone would want to travel in a car designed primarily for fun.
Related: History of Kia Pride- the First Kia in Pakistan
Pride hatchback was the very first Kia vehicle to appear in Pakistan during the mid-90s, however, the company (Naya Daur Motors— Tawwakal group) behind launching the car soon ran after collecting huge sums of bookings without delivering the vehicles. Later in the Dewan era, its sedan version called the Kia Classic was introduced and became a decent seller (with a factory-fitted CNG option having a dual-cylinder setup) before being discontinued in 2006.
A computer animation professional with over 23 years of industry experience having served in leading organizations, TV channels & production facilities in Pakistan. An avid car enthusiast and petrolhead with an affection to deliver quality content to help shape opinions. Formerly written for PakWheels as well as major publications including Dawn. Founder of CarSpiritPK.com
