The Kia Concept EV2 is making waves at Milan Design Week 2025, showcasing a revolutionary interior design philosophy centered around the theme of a ‘picnic in the city’. This B-segment electric SUV not only embodies Kia’s vision for future urban mobility but also highlights a strong commitment to responsible design through the innovative use of environmentally conscious materials and a user-centric approach.
Design Inspiration: The interior design of the Concept EV2 draws significant inspiration from urban architectural elements like balconies and terraces. These spaces, offering moments of relaxation within a bustling city, serve as a metaphor for the EV2’s cabin. The aim is to create an open and flexible environment that seamlessly connects the interior with the exterior, reflecting Kia’s ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy. This approach balances everyday practicality with opportunities for leisure, right in the heart of urban life.
Space and Versatility: With a focus on maximizing usability, particularly in the front row – typically the most utilized space in this vehicle segment – Kia has implemented clever design solutions. The flat-floor layout allows the second-row seats to fold up, while the front seats can slide far back, significantly expanding the cabin space. Furthermore, side-extendable seat elements offer even greater flexibility, transforming the interior to accommodate various activities and enhancing the overall user-friendliness of the space.
Lifestyle-Focused Features: The Concept EV2 is equipped with several thoughtful features designed to enhance leisure activities and user engagement. These include seat headrest-integrated speakers for personalized audio experiences, portable door speakers that can be taken outside the vehicle, side-extendable seats for added comfort, detachable seat cushions for versatile use, and pop-up luggage dividers for organized storage. These elements underscore Kia’s vision for future EV interiors that are intuitive, engaging, and deeply centered around the needs and lifestyles of their users.
Powertrain and Performance Details: The provided text focuses primarily on the interior design and material innovations of the Kia Concept EV2. Therefore, specific powertrain and performance details are not available in this excerpt.
Colour, Materials, and Finish (CMF): Concept vehicles like the EV2 provide an invaluable platform for designers to explore and present cutting-edge materials, offering a glimpse into the long-term direction for future production models. The CMF strategy for the Concept EV2 prioritizes innovation and responsible design, with Kia’s CMF team collaborating closely with material science partners to integrate environmentally conscious materials that enhance the driving experience while minimizing environmental impact.
Simplifyber Fybron™: A standout innovation in the Concept EV2’s interior is Simplifyber Fybron™, a next-generation cellulose-based compound utilized for the dashboard and door panels. This material is derived from renewable resources such as wood, paper, and recycled textiles, significantly reducing the vehicle’s reliance on traditional plastics. The liquid-based production process minimizes waste by eliminating the need for weaving or spinning. Beyond its environmental benefits, Simplifyber Fybron™ offers a soft, premium tactile experience, providing a cleaner, more sustainable alternative to conventional materials without compromising durability or long-lasting performance. Its refined texture achieves a harmonious blend of comfort and technical sophistication.
Mycelium Components: In a collaborative effort with Biomyc, Kia has incorporated biodegradable mycelium components, including hemp and mycelium-based materials, into the Concept EV2’s interior. These components are carefully cultivated and custom-colored to match Kia’s specific Pantone shades, ensuring a cohesive and visually appealing interior. Two distinct types of mycelium materials are employed: a mycelium-infused polyurethane (PU) used across the light blue interior surfaces, featuring fine brown speckles of actual mycelium for natural texture and depth; and a grown volume material, where mycelium cells bind cellulose from agricultural waste into a solid structure, providing natural insulation ideal for the door armrest, demonstrating both functionality and environmental responsibility. Mycelium, a renewable and bio-based material with excellent insulation properties, contributes to a more comfortable cabin environment while reducing the reliance on synthetic, non-biodegradable materials. The meticulous testing of over 180 samples ensures that the final product meets Kia’s high standards for durability, aesthetics, and environmental responsibility, catering to customers who value both quality and environmental care.
Bio-Based Composites: Kia’s partnership with Bcomp introduces AmpliTex™, a bio-based composite material made from flax fibres, into key structural components within the Concept EV2’s cabin, such as the back seat shell and front seat substructures. By replacing conventional synthetic materials, AmpliTex™ significantly reduces the overall weight of the vehicle while maintaining the necessary strength and robustness for a lifestyle-focused SUV. This not only improves fuel efficiency but also supports a more environmentally conscious vehicle lifecycle. The innovative material is fully recyclable, aligning with Kia’s vision of a circular economy, as it can be broken down and reprocessed into composite pellets for reuse at the end of its lifecycle, minimizing waste and promoting a more environmentally aware production process. Kia’s CMF team has also developed a custom dark-blue finish for AmpliTex™, enhancing the vehicle’s eco-friendly design without compromising visual appeal.
Summary:
- The Kia Concept EV2 showcases a user-centric interior design inspired by a ‘picnic in the city’ lifestyle.
- It features innovative and environmentally conscious materials like cellulose, mycelium, and flax fibre bio-composites.
- The interior emphasizes flexibility and spaciousness through features like foldable rear seats and extendable front seats.
- Lifestyle-focused elements include integrated speakers, portable door speakers, and detachable seat cushions.
- Kia’s CMF team collaborated with partners to develop and integrate these sustainable materials.
Disclaimer: The Kia Concept EV2 is a design study, and features and material specifications may vary in future production models. Information provided is based on the press release and is subject to change.
Source: KIA
AI Assistance: Gemini
