No, this Kia EV4 GT hasn’t been caught in a sandstorm.
This is a one-off concept from the South Korean brand that celebrates Rafael Nadal’s dominance on clay throughout his career. Nadal’s stunning record on the surface is better than any other tennis player in history, giving him the undisputed ‘King of Clay’ nickname. The Spaniard won 63 of his 92 singles titles on clay courts, including a record 14 French Open titles.
The full-scale concept of the EV4 GT uses real clay from tennis courts and has references to Nadal’s clay court career throughout. It was presented to Nadal at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, where the star grew up and still lives.
Kia’s connection with Rafa has stretched over two decades. At just 17 years of age, Nadal signed with Kia Spain as a brand ambassador in 2004 before becoming a global brand ambassador for the brand two years later. It is a partnership that has remained ever since, with Nadal reportedly using a Kia EV9 as his daily driver.
Kia’s use of clay comes in handy
This isn’t the first time that Kia has worked with clay. The material is used in its modelling process when developing vehicles and allows designers to evolve and change a design before production commences. Even in the modern age, where digital leads the way, there is still room for clay, as it remains a good way to judge proportions, surfaces and finishes.
Tennis court clay and modelling clay were combined to create the EV4 GT concept and references to Nadal’s career are seen across the design, including his 63 clay court singles titles, a record 50 consecutive sets won on the surface and the five seasons in which he finished as world number one.
“I am honoured by this gesture”
Rafael Nadal said: “For more than twenty years, Kia has been by my side throughout my career, through all the highs and the challenges. Receiving this tribute, created from the material that has defined so much of my journey, is incredibly meaningful. It is a special reminder of everything we have shared, and I am honoured by this gesture.”
words: Mike Booth
pictures: Kia