Kia is preparing a battery-electric version of its TAM mini-car, scheduled to hit the Korean market already this year!
We could consider Kia and Hyundai as latecomers to the hybrid scene, but lately they both have made great strides introducing their first-ever hybrid sedans, the Optima hybrid and Sonata hybrid, which are both already on sale in the USA and as far as we know, they sell pretty well there.
Although entering the hybrid-car race late, the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group has an ambitious plan of becoming the most eco-friendly automaker on the planet. To achieve the goal, both South Korean carmakers plan to unveil a wide range of low-pollution and zero-emission vehicles, using an in-house developed eco-friendly technologies.
Recently, Hyundai and Kia revealed their strategies and roles in the development of the forth-coming eco-friendly cars. Reportedly, Hyundai is going to focus on development of gasoline-electric hybrid cars, plug-in hybrids, as well as hydrogen-powered vehicles, while Kia will play a major role in developing of fully electric vehicles.
Out of all planned low-pollution vehicles, the first to hit the streets will be a brand-new full-electric Kia TAM mini-car, which is scheduled to hit the market already before the end of the year. Based on the new Kia Picanto, the 2013 Tam will feature an electric motor and a set of highly-advanced lithium polymer batteries.
Kia plans a yearly production of 2.000 units and is seriously considering exporting the vehicle to foreign markets. Depending on demand, Kia might later lift production of the fully-electric TAM to 5.000 units per year.
At this point, we have very little information about the new electric TAM (code name) city-car, but we have learned that more details about the project have been unveiled to the European media during the Kia executive’s meeting with reporters during the Frankfurt Motor Show. Thanx for sending us the image, Sally!
Electric Kia TAM spy image:
September 19th, 2011 at 6:02 pm
What? Electric? Yeah, this ugly and small stupid looking ute is sure to overcome Leaf and Volt buyers. Just like the Pop great technology stupid size. I’m disappointed. You’d think they at least used the Rio based Naimo. But nope they wanted to go to a stupid size A segment and pointless ute. How stupid. This could have been great for the Sportage, Soul or Sorento. Let me take a wild guess, this is the stupid looking ute to be underneath the Soul too right? What is so special about small cars anyway. They suck in the snow, you are crapped in them and small cars aren’t stylish.
September 19th, 2011 at 6:23 pm
Look at those stupid little wheels. They’re unstylish, ugly and small. I bet it’s got 3 lug nuts attached to it. It would have be sweet if the GT had that Electric technology or Optima or K7 or even the K9. But nope technology is wasted on small and ugly cars (youth is wasted on the young). This is a fail. I rather have the leaf. It least it’s an C segment car. The Volt is a D segment car.
September 19th, 2011 at 7:29 pm
JTZ, please keep your temper down, otherwise I’ll have to erase your comments!
-
The all-new TAM will soon be a part of Kia’s expanding product portfolio, whether you like it or not. Because of its small size, the car will be perfect for city driving. But what I like the most about it is the choice of a fully-electric drivetrain available for the first time in a mass produced Kia vehicle!
-
And it probably won’t look that bad as some think. I expect it to be quite a looker compared to Japanese “KEI” cars.
September 20th, 2011 at 3:42 am
You right. When I look at the big picture, no one is buying the midsize Volt and it’s losing in sales to the Leaf. The bigger the electric vehicle the more expensive. With Kia using their first fully- electric platform into the A segment it saves Kia Money in 2 ways. One if the car fails, it won’t really hurt them and they can easily get rid of it since it won’t be that expensive. 2: If the A segment electric Tam is actually in highdemand here and everywhere, it will tell them if they should make a bigger electric vehicle or not. After all look at GM. Paid all that money to produce that Volt and is salty that it ain’t selling like they expected. Kia is playing it safe. So it’s not a stupid little vehicle. In fact Hiimi, I believe you I think this will be a looker. After all, 5 Kias won design awards and two Kia model designs beat out German brands so why would this be ugly? Right? Like they say, “never judge a book by its cover.” And this is covered. But I think Himi knows more then we all know. Think about it. He already gave us a hint. The word “looker” Looker is the Kee the Kee the Kee I tell you the KEY!!!Kia is up to something, something electrical, something long range, something fast, something acclerating, something stylish, something desirable something I don’t even know what it is yet but I will find out or my name ain’t jtz. What if the Tam has a longer range than the Leaf and Volt? Think about it. That Diesel Rio can get about 90mpg. So wouldn’t you expect this to have grounbreaking range?
September 20th, 2011 at 3:49 am
A new thought just came to mind. “Naimo” Kia did something new here. Why do you think Kia shwon us an elelctric concept yet this elelctric concept looks nothing like the Neimo? The Naimo has a slanted C pillar found on the Pass Port, Rodeo, 4 Runner, 2012 Explorer, 2nd generation Equionox, 2003 Kia Sorento, 1st generation RX, 1st generation MDX, Mercedes M, Ford Fressstyle, Ford Escape and that 1st generation Caddy CRX.
Yet the Naimo’s rear pillar appears stright from the ceiling to the sides. Interesting. “Gasp” Wait lets go back one year ago to Kia spy shots. Now remember that K2 and Rio we saw and we didn’t know why the designs were totally different? Will what if Kia has really made the Naimo in production but the Tam is to stay in Asia. Think about it. That Naimo design is designed like that for a reason. But I gotta find out the mystery of why the Tam and Naimo’s only similarty is the electric drivetrain. Wait, I take that back the Tam and Naimo share one thing in common in deisgn and that’s the square apperance found on the Soul and the KV7. Oh well I’ll find out sonner or later. Oh yeah, I hear it goes on sale in S.Korea at the end of this year.
September 20th, 2011 at 4:04 am
jtz, go back to sleep! you are irritating!
September 20th, 2011 at 11:26 pm
Kia Naimo, or ,Kia Pop or Kia Ray they are just concepts, but the most valid/interesting concept is the Kia Ray Plug-in Hybrid!
the Tam is a fail looker or a vehicle for closed parcs or around the shop utility carryer!
little electric pickup truck like this is good for city utility http://www.voitureelectrique.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Nemo-camion-electrique.jpg
September 21st, 2011 at 1:57 pm
TAM will need some work. But given time, if like other KIA’s, it will be a winner. My 09 Sportage is great but the model needed a lot improvements to reach that point. Cut the negative comments, Jits. It sounds like the Randy Quaid character in Major League.
September 22nd, 2011 at 5:50 am
Will I’ll tell you what. When the Tam arrives buy it and tell me all the complaints about how small it is and how people laugh at you. I’ll wait for Kia to make a real electric car like the BMW I8…. Now that’s a man’s ride. What I don’t get is the Picanto isn’t even Kia’s best selling car globally. Which proves small A segment cars are pointless. After all it’s not everyday you’ll see a Smart car rolling down Hamster Ave. I don’t understand why you guys are so upset over this Kia yet didnt commet about Dan’s Rio vs a WRX. It’s just an ugly electric too small powerless Kia. Big deal. It won’t outsell the Prius or Leaf. Only thing good is the technology just a shame it’s in this. And one side has sliding doors and the other doesn’t. WTF? Lol.
September 22nd, 2011 at 3:14 pm
Let me guess this is to rival up agaisnt the BMW I3. Lol. Kia thinks this can rival agasint that? Yeah right. If this outsells the I3 (I saw spy shots of the BMW BTW), I’ll be shocked. The Tam should just keep place in S. Korea. It has no chance in Europe not when the I3 is coming out. I know Germans will perfer the I3 over the weak Tam. However it wouldn’t hurt if the Venga were to get the Tam’s technology. But then the Venga ain’t even Kia’s top five best seller. Kia is making all these small cars and only the Rio and Soul are a success while the rest of the Top five are bigger and more powerful models. I bet the Tam carries 50hp. Now what’s that good for?Just to take 15 seconds to accelerate to 35mph? I know one thing if a Kia Tam is ever in my way and it accelerates slower than a minivan, I’m honking my horn and telling that driver to get that stupid little thing out of my Forte SX’s way. This design is a disgrace to any Kia that earned the “Red Dot” Design Award. To shame.
September 22nd, 2011 at 3:16 pm
Excuss me for laughing: BMW I3 VS Kia Tam. Lol…..
September 23rd, 2011 at 3:57 am
Since when has Kia competed against a BMW? You know the specifics on the TAM electric powertrain? Please share them with us. You are totally missing the point of the car.
September 24th, 2011 at 7:24 pm
Since when did Kia compete with a BMW? When BMW decided to jump into B and C segment cars like Mercedes and Audi. Plus you gotta admit Greg, you’d rather have the BMW I3 or I8 electric cars over the useless Kia Tam. It’s ugly and weak. No need to defend it. Oh yeah Vitor. I wanna read your commet so bad. I bet you said something interesting. Darn. Oh well. Maybe if we can get a translator or something. I wanna know what Vitor said. “Google” came up and BMW CAME UP 3 TIMES. And Vitor. I think you are trying to say it has 4 lugnuts? And that it’s not ranked with the BMW. I bet it wouldn’t. This Tam agasint BMW puts the Kia to shame. But guess what? Kia is supposed to debut an electric CUV in 2014. I bet you it’s the Naimo. I actually like that Kia is responsible for the electric while Hyundai uses hybrids and fuelcell.. Now put the electric engines in B, C or D segment cars and SUVs.
September 26th, 2011 at 5:59 am
Price-wise, the Kia TAM will be the same amount of car for half the price. No brainer. I am not gonna judge it yet, Haven’t even seen it naked!
September 28th, 2011 at 10:15 pm
Me neither but I’ll see it uncovered late this year. It’s got me curious as to it’s design. It’s like here everything Kia’s made is stylsih but when I look at this I see it as ugly. But something inside tells me to wait and see. So I’ll wait.
September 30th, 2011 at 5:52 pm
Guess what? Toyota just released an ugly Kei car called the Pixis Space (what a stupid name for a stupid car). It sure is ugly like Kia’s Tam. But you know what, unlike The Pixis, the Tam will be ready to tackle down that stupid ugly and dumb looking Toyota. Sure the Tam is ugly and stupid looking too. But the dumb, ugly stupid looking Kia Tam will be ready to tackle Toyota’s uglier and stupier Pixis Space. So come on Toyota bring it on!!! Kia’s ugly Tam is ready to attack that ugly Pixis Space. This entire A segment Kei cars are all ugly and stupid looking. Plus they are all boxes. But don’t worry Kia’s got to tackle every segment even the ugly Kei cars to help Hyundai beat VW or Toyota globally. So come on ugly Pixis Space bring it on the electric Tam will be ready!!!
October 1st, 2011 at 9:38 pm
I take back everything I said about the Tam. THE TAM IS ONE HELL OF A DESIGN!!!! It alllllllll makes perfect sense to my EYE. You see the Tam has to meet design requirements and Kei rules when it comes to design. I saw enough. After readling all my commets. I feel dumb, no stupid. THE TAM IS THE BEST KEI car I ever seen in my life. Sure it’s small. But wait!!! Just wait that is one hell of a design. Way better than that Toyota Pixis Space. I saw something new. Not totally unveiled but it was enough for me to realize that the actual ugly is the black dress. The Tam is NICE looking. Infact, it’s not really as small as I thought. When it comes to the Tam, Kia is up to something, something big, something electric, something stylish, something fast, something I don’t even know what it is yet…… but I will find out or my name ain’t jtz. You see, my mind couldn’t rest until I saw enough. It just didn’t make since of why they would design something like this compared to the other award wining designs. I’m satisfied. Don’t get me wrong, I still want Kia to make an eletric Naimo or something else bigger than the Tam, but this thing is not what I thought. I jtz was wrong.
October 1st, 2011 at 9:49 pm
Now that Kia has their first impressive electric engine production ready, get ready because for the US, I expect a B segment sized electric CUV. Think about it: Remember reading an article about the next generation Soul could get AWD? They also are considering a CUV smaller than the Soul. The only Kia that fits that description is no other than the Kia Naimo. Therefore, I got to assume that the Kia Naimo is the electric CUV I am waiting for. Unless, Kia made another small CUV. But the Naimo design is here for a reason though. I’m also begining to wonder if the Naimo is a design cue for the next generation Soul. Think about it what do you notice between the Naimo and current generation Soul when viewed from the size? Give up? Then I’ll tell you.
October 1st, 2011 at 9:58 pm
Another new thought just came to mind. Instead of telling you I’m going to list a Kia concept and a Kia production vehicle. Kia KND-4 and Kia Sorento. Now we all know the KND-4 was the design direction for the Sorento… howerver, like the KND-4, what if the Naimo is the design direction for the 2nd generation Soul? Think about it: What does the KND-4 and Naimo have in common? Two things hint: slanted C pillars as well as green paint. Now why do you suppose the KND-4 and Naimo are both painted in green? What is that supposed to mean? Is it a metaphor for giving it the greenlight? Maybe it is maybe it’s not. Also between the two concepts, what do you see differently that the KND-4 has that the Sorento doesn’t? I’ll tell you. The Sorento has two extra doors. Therefore I gotta assume that the Naimo in production could also have 2 extra doors. Like how the Kue with 2 extra doors is the Sportage. You see the irony of it all? Anything is possible. Every thought, design element and feature is a possiblity. So now I have two possibilities for the production Naimo and it’s this: Either the Naimo is made to debut underneath the Soul or it is the 2nd generation Soul. If the Naimo is the Soul, could that mean that the 2nd generation Soul could go electric?
October 1st, 2011 at 10:20 pm
Kia GT and Kia Naimo hint flaps located in the front….. just like the Kee. Did you guys notice the fame of the K9 on spy shots’ fame sorta went off radar ever since the unveiling of the GT? We can’t forget about the GT even if most people perfer the GT’s design over the K9′s. There’s something strange underneath the K9′s black dress. Something about grille. Not the tigger shape. It’s where it’s located that gets me. I can’t seem to understand the design element. It’s something about the K9′s headlights going towared the grille. At first I thought it continued going until it tocuhed the grille….. but now I’m not so sure. Now I’m thinking that the K9′s headlights are off the Kia Ray’s headlights. One thing to remember is this: Never forget Kia’s design elements no matter how old a concept is…. it can alwasy come back and bite you in the ass if you don’t pay attention just like lips on the Kia Ray’s ass is the lips on the GT, Kee and Naimo’s face.
October 2nd, 2011 at 4:07 am
With all of your “new thoughts”, you should start your own blog. Just my opinion.
October 3rd, 2011 at 2:56 am
jtz-have you ever considered making up your own Kia website? Greg’s right.
October 4th, 2011 at 12:50 am
No I haven’t? I guess I’d make a good Kia-blog. Nope never thought of it though.
October 6th, 2011 at 5:45 am
Just a few more weeks until the unveiling of the new Tam. Get ready for it. And I also hear about two years later Kia will make another EV like a Soul sized crossover. It’s romoured to arrive in Europe and the US. Kia is going to make EV cars the size of the Volt one day. Watch my word. I have somthing new about the Tam’s exterior. The pillars are not black. It has black tape on it. That takes away more ugly and adds more style to the electric secret Kia. I hope Kia releases some Tam teasers soon. Also it seems that like the Soul, Optima, K2, and K9 that the Tam will inherit the side grille. It looks like Kia is trying to hide that side grille of the Tam. Many resources are talking about the Tam now. That means it is arriving soon. I think it’ll be seen around Thanksgiving. If Kia’s Tam is really a looked as well as for the 2014 EV CUV, it could be an issue to that Leaf and Volt.
October 9th, 2011 at 4:01 am
jtz-man, if you let people post pics and such yours would be boss. I mean, you’ve supplanted Greg as the resident Kia genius on the web. No kidding.
October 10th, 2011 at 1:00 pm
Just kidding, Greg. =;)
October 12th, 2011 at 8:32 pm
Guess what everyone? It turns out that the Tam has another purpose. You know what that purpose is? I’ll tell you. To attack the 2013 Chevy electric Spark. So come on Chevy bring it on!!! Kia’s Tam will be ready to kick that a**. If A segment elelctric cars is what Kia and Chevy wants. I’m for it. Kia knew this entire time that having an A segment electric car would have rivals. Imagine that. I rather have the Tam over the Daewoe Spark. I perfer MPVs over stupid little A segment Sparks. At least, it’s bigger than that little Spark. Chevy unveiled it in yellow and it reminded me of Pikachu the electric rodent. But don’t worry. Kia’s rodents (the hamsters) will kick that Pikachu’s a** anyday of the week. So come GM bring it on!!! Ya’ll want to use rodents lets do then. Speaking of electric cars. The Volt is rip off. I’m very disappointed at what I found out. When comparing the two cars’ total cost of gas for the year, the Volt and Mailibu are equal. What a rip off!!!
October 12th, 2011 at 10:28 pm
So GM is taking risk in bringing us a bof suv. Some are calling it the Trail Blazer. It’s supposely off the next Orlando’s platform. A bof SUV in this economy? You know what that means? It’s gotta be electric. It’s gotta be. There is no way and hell a manufacturer can get a truck to get up to 30mpg (I’m guessing the mpg). No way. So if midsize SUVs and CUVs are going back in style, Kia should revive the Borrego. It wouldn’t hurt making it a CUV with Kia’s better technology and performance and all. I’m sure if the Sorento can equal 32 on the highway with fwd, i BET the Koreans can get a bigger CUV to be at least 25 on the highway. The Explorer gets 22 and the Grand Cherokee gets 21. If Kia could get a CUV with good quality to be 25 on the highway, it’ll show that next GM SUV a thing or two to whiping a**. So bring it on GM. GM better be lucky the Kia Mojave ain’t in Kia’s plans because it would be ready to tackle that Ranger and Orlando’s a**. Also Dodge wants to tackle the Kia Soul since the Juke, Cube and XB can’t get the job done. So bring it on Dodge, by the time their version arrives, the next Soul will be ready to whip ass even more. Bring it on Dodge!!!
October 12th, 2011 at 10:31 pm
Speaking of the future of the next Soul. If the Soul does really get 4WD, it’ll be ready to tackle that Juke while the Naimo will take the Soul’s FWD spot and tackling the XB, Cube and whatever the heck Dodge and GMC have with their B segment CUVS. If I were GMC or Dodge, I’d take Kia more seriously instead of using the sterotype like Kia’s electric Naimo wasn’t unveiled early this year.
October 13th, 2011 at 2:33 am
I was easily able to get 28 MPG in a Borrego V8 while going 55 MPH. At 65, I was still getting 25.1. That thing was really under-rated in the MPG department.
October 29th, 2011 at 5:09 pm
Greg, that’s great mileage in the Borrego at highway speeds. I saw a Kia Borrego at the Atlanta International Airport while there in Oct.’08 and it was in silver. Looked really, really sharp in silver. Great mileage, though, wow, impressive!