Kia Ray
Overview
ManufacturerKia
Production2011–present
AssemblySouth Korea: Seosan Plant, Seosan (Donghee)
Body and chassis
ClassCity car (A)
Mini MPV
Body style5-door minivan
LayoutFront-engine, front-wheel-drive
PlatformHyundai-Kia SA
RelatedKia Picanto (TA)
Powertrain
Engine
Electric motor50 kW (68 PS; 67 hp) (16.4 kWh)
64 kW (87 PS; 86 hp) (35.2 kWh)
Transmission
Battery16.4 kWh lithium ion battery
35.2 kWh LFP battery
Range138 km (86 mi) (16.4 kWh)
205 km (127 mi) (35.2 kWh)
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,520 mm (99.2 in)
Length3,595 mm (141.5 in)
Width1,595 mm (62.8 in)
Height1,700–1,710 mm (66.9–67.3 in)
Curb weight988–1,110 kg (2,178–2,447 lb)
1,290–1,295 kg (2,844–2,855 lb) (EV)

The Kia Ray is a city car manufactured by Kia exclusively for the South Korean domestic market. Based on the Kia Picanto/Morning, it was specifically developed in compliance with the "light car" (Korean: 경차, romanized: Gyeongcha) category that offers tax incentives for cars with exterior dimensions below 3,600 mm (141.7 in) in length and below 1,600 mm (63.0 in) in width.[1]

Overview

Only available in the local Korean domestic market, the Kia Ray is equipped with a 998cc gasoline engine which generates 78 PS (57 kW; 77 hp) at 6,400 rpm.

The Ray has a unique door layout; the passenger side of the vehicle has a sliding door for the rear seats, while the driver's side has a swing-out door.[2] The car has a kei car-inspired boxy dimensions. The Ray's interior benefits from the square shape, as it has more space than most cars its size; however, it is only able to seat four people.

Kia Ray EV

The Kia Ray EV was launched in 2011 as Kia's first production battery electric vehicle. It is powered by a 50 kW (67 hp) electric motor, with a 16.4 kWh lithium ion battery that allows an all-electric range of 138 km (86 mi) depending on driving conditions.[3]

The initial roll out was a limited production of 2,500 units destined for the South Korean government fleets, and scheduled to be deployed in 2012. In May 2013 a fleet of 184 Kia Ray EVs were deployed in Seoul as part of a carsharing service called "Electric Vehicle Sharing” at a rate of US$5 per hour. The service had 15,000 registered customers by May 2013.[4]

An updated Kia Ray EV was launched on September 21, 2023 that features a bigger 35.2 kWh LFP battery with a 64 kW (87 PS; 86 hp) electric motor.

2017 facelift

The New Ray, which received a facelift, was released on December 13, 2017.[5] The radiator grille in the center of the existing model was raised to the same height as the headlamp and changed to body color. Wide honeycomb patterns were also applied to tailgate garnish.

The sudden braking alarm system was applied to all trims, and rollover detection was added to the existing six airbags. It is designed to add four-point colors and license plate LED lamps to loops, outer mirror covers, and radiator grills from three popular body colors, Milky Beige, Clear White, and Aurora Black Pearls.

A single-seater Kia Ray Van was released on February 8, 2022. It operates with a total of two trims, Prestige and Prestige Special. Driver convenience specifications such as a driver's heating wire seat and a driver's seat height adjustment device are added to the Prestige Special.[5]

2022 facelift

The New Kia Ray, which received a second facelift, was unveiled on August 10, 2022[6] and released on September 1. On the front, Starmap signature lighting and center garnish are placed horizontally. The bumper has a flat, angular design. The skid plate was applied to the lower part of the bumper. A 15-inch alloy wheel with a geometric shape is applied to the side. On the rear, a rear combination lamp was applied, and Starmap signature lighting was placed on the edge of the rear combination lamp. In addition, an additional non-exposed tailgate handle was applied. A 4.2-inch LCD cluster design was applied to the interior, and a light gray interior was added.[7]

Driver assistance system and convenience features such as Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Safe Exit Warning, ventilated driver's seat, air-purification mode are also applied.

On November 17, 2022, Gravity, the design differentiation model of The New Kia Ray, was added. Gravity is based on Ray's top trim signature and applies new design elements to create a tough-looking exterior. The dark metal front center garnish and rear tailgate garnish give a solid impression, and black colors are applied to the front and rear skid plates, A-pillars, roof, and exterior mirrors to create a sophisticated atmosphere. On the sides, 15-inch black alloy wheels are applied.

References

  1. ↑ "기아 모닝 레이 | 쉐보레 스파크 2021 경차 혜택?". 프리카톡 (in Korean). 2021-01-08. Retrieved 2021-07-17.
  2. ↑ Sarne, Vernon B. (2019-07-24). "The Kia Ray city car is nice, but can we really afford it?". Visor. Retrieved 2019-07-24.
  3. ↑ "New Kia Ray is Korea's first production EV". Autoblog Green. 2011-12-22. Archived from the original on 2012-01-09. Retrieved 2012-01-06.
  4. ↑ Eric Loveday (2013-05-06). "South Korea Now Offers Electric Vehicle Rentals With Rollout of 184 Kia Ray EVs". InsideEVs.com. Retrieved 2013-06-07.
  5. 1 2 "Korea's first one-seater light car VAN was born... "Surprise" at the price of Ray which disappeared in the passenger seat". 《The JoongAng》. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  6. ↑ "2023 Kia Ray Revealed With A Second Facelift In South Korea". motor1.com. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  7. ↑ "2023 Kia Ray EV Previews Its Second Facelift In South Korea". INSIDE EVs. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
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