The new model will sit alongside the Niro EV, which uses a multi-powertrain platform, and will serve as an indirect replacement for the Soul EV.
Unlike those models, the EV3 will use the Hyundai Motor Group’s bespoke electric E-GMP platform, which should enable it to be offered with a range of powertrains and battery sizes. As a result, front-driven entry-level models would be expected to offer 215bhp.
The EV3 is likely to use the version of the E-GMP platform previously confirmed for the EV5, a Volkswagen ID 4 rival that’s due to arrive in the UK next year and has already been shown in production form.
The platform uses a 400V electrical architecture, compared with the 800V architecture on the EV6 and EV9, which means that charging speeds will be slower but will help to reduce the costs.