In celebration of Kia’s 80th anniversary in 2024, the company has modernized one of its classic models by converting it into an electric vehicle (EV). Kia UK has chosen the 1993 Pride LX from its heritage collection for this special project. The car’s original 1.3-liter gasoline engine was replaced with an electric powertrain, but it retains its five-speed manual transmission, providing a blend of vintage charm and modern technology.
The revamped Pride EV includes two 10-kilowatt-hour battery packs, one under the hood and the other under the rear cargo area, resulting in a modest weight increase of 44 pounds that helps balance the car’s overall weight distribution. The front wheels are powered by a single electric motor, which works through the original five-speed gearbox, now equipped with a high-performance clutch to handle the extra power.
The vehicle offers three driving modes: Eco, Sport, and Auto. In Eco mode, the car maximizes its range, up to 120 miles on a single charge. The power output in this mode is capped at 60 horsepower and 118 Nm torque, aiming to replicate the driving experience of the original Pride. The car can accelerate to 62 miles per hour in 11.8 seconds in this mode.
In Sport mode, the Pride’s power is fully unleashed, with the electric motor delivering 107 horsepower and 234 Nm of torque. This is a significant improvement over the original engine’s 60 horsepower, allowing the car to reach 62 miles per hour in approximately 8 seconds.
The Auto mode turns the Pride into a more conventional electric vehicle. By shifting the gearbox into third gear and selecting this mode, the driver activates a system that prioritizes regenerative braking while limiting the power output to 75% of the total. The top speed is also limited in this mode due to the motor’s RPM and the gearbox ratio.
Externally, the Pride now sports a new White Pearl finish, a color found on other Kia EV models such as the EV3 and EV6. The car’s headlights and taillights have also been modernized, while the interior remains largely true to the original, with some updates.
The instrument cluster has been retained, though the fuel gauge has been reconfigured to display battery charge levels. The interior also features lime green accents on the seats and floor mats, a nod to the high-performance Kia EV6 GT.
Kia UK is expected to test the performance of the electrified Pride, and soon the public will know how the modernized EV compares to its original form from 30 years ago.
