Concept cars are nothing new. But the zero-emissions concept via Kia will debut at the Paris auto show beginning September 30 is arguably among the most unique. The new Kia, called Pop concept, is about a foot longer than a Smart Fortwo and offers seating for three, according to a report in The New York Times.
“The car is equipped with gogglelike oval side windows, shaped something like drug capsules,” writes Phil Patton. “Its wheels wear a central cross pattern, like an oversize Phillips screw head.”
“The three-seat configuration has become popular in recent city car designs. It’s one of several seating configurations offered in Gordon Murray Design’s recently unveiled T.25 city car. Kia’s designers appear to be contemplating installing parents in front and a single child in a back seat.”
Kia has been a design innovator in recent years, considering, for example, the Soul compact S.U.V.
Article Last Updated: August 23, 2010.
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.
In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida.
An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.