Kia has thrown us a curveball by diving deep into its past and resurfacing with a restomod of the Pride—a car that likely conjures memories of the nineties for many. But there’s a twist: this once-humble hatchback now runs on electric power, and Kia’s blending old-school charm with future tech in ways that have got us scratching our heads and smiling in equal measure.
The Pride, Reinvented
For those unfamiliar, the Kia Pride was the South Korean version of the Mazda 121, which in turn was based on the Ford Festiva. A modest city car, it was loved (and sometimes loathed) for its no-frills design and utilitarian nature. Fast forward to 2024, and Kia has given this humble commuter a second lease on life, with some truly unexpected touches. And the kicker? They’ve equipped it with a manual transmission.
Yep, you read that right—a manual gearbox paired with an electric motor. It’s a bold move in a world where EVs have largely ditched shifting gears in favor of single-speed simplicity. But in true restomod fashion, it feels like Kia is having fun here, keeping things playful while challenging our expectations of what an EV can be.
What’s Under the Hood (If You Can Call It That)
Kia’s reborn Pride comes equipped with a 107bhp electric motor, a relatively modest figure by today’s standards. Yet, when you consider that the original Pride only had about 63bhp, this new electric version should be a fair bit punchier on the road. And let’s be honest—this isn’t a car that’s designed to blow the doors off a Tesla Model S. Instead, it’s more about delivering a quirky, nostalgic driving experience with a modern twist.
The inclusion of the manual transmission is a standout feature. It feels almost ironic in an era where carmakers are fighting for ever-increasing levels of automation and seamless driving experiences. Why slap a manual box on a car that doesn’t really need it? The answer is probably in the spirit of fun—this restomod is clearly as much a statement piece as it is a vehicle.
Design: Nods to the Past, Eyes on the Future
Visually, the electric Pride stays faithful to the boxy, no-nonsense charm of the original hatchback, but with a futuristic touch. Subtle, modern tweaks—like redesigned lighting and sleeker proportions—bring the Pride into the 21st century without losing its retro appeal. Kia’s goal seems to be a mix of nostalgia and innovation, tapping into the ever-growing trend of retrofuturism that’s gaining ground in car culture.
In terms of driving dynamics, it’s safe to say the Pride EV won’t be breaking Nürburgring lap records, but it’s unlikely that’s the point here. Think of this as a city car that’s bound to turn heads, make you smile, and give a nod to the days when the motoring landscape was much simpler.
A Bold, Quirky Move for Kia
This project is more than just an exercise in engineering; it’s a celebration of Kia’s journey from the early days of budget-conscious, no-frills cars to their current lineup of award-winning, future-forward EVs. With the Pride EV restomod, Kia seems to be saying, “Hey, we remember where we came from, but we’re not afraid to experiment with where we’re going.”
Will this manual-equipped EV spawn a new wave of electric vehicles with gear shifts? Probably not. But as a one-off project, it captures something rare in today’s automotive world: a sense of fun. And isn’t that what driving should be about?
Kia’s Pride restomod might not make the most sense on paper, but in practice, it feels like the kind of quirky, unexpected joy that’s sorely needed in the somewhat predictable world of EVs.
