Kia is celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2024 by giving a nod to its past with a modern twist. Kia UK has crafted a unique tribute by taking a 1993 Pride LX from its heritage collection, removing its 1.3-liter gasoline engine, and replacing it with a battery and two electric motors. Remarkably, the original five-speed manual transmission has been retained. This road-legal electric vehicle features two 10-kilowatt-hour battery packs, one nestled under the hood and the other beneath the rear cargo area, adding approximately 44 pounds while enhancing weight distribution.

The single electric motor powers the front wheels through the five-speed gearbox, which has been reworked by Electrogenic with a new high-performance clutch to handle the increased power. The electrified Pride offers three driving modes: Eco, Sport, and Auto. In Eco mode, the vehicle maximizes range, delivering up to 120 miles, while mimicking the driving characteristics of the original gas-powered Pride by limiting output to 60 horsepower and 87 pound-feet of torque. It can accelerate from 0 to 62 miles per hour in an estimated 11.8 seconds.

Sport mode unlocks the full potential of the Pride, with 107 horsepower and 173 pound-feet of torque—a significant increase from the original 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine's 60 horsepower. This boost allows the electric hatchback to reach 62 mph in an estimated 8.0 seconds. Auto mode, activated by shifting the gearbox into third and switching the driver mode selector, transforms the Pride into a more conventional-feeling electric vehicle with enhanced regenerative braking.

Kia has updated the exterior color from the original Kingfisher Blue to White Pearl, a shade seen on the Kia EV3, EV6, and other electric models. The headlights and taillights have also been upgraded. Inside, the Pride retains its original instrument cluster, with Electrogenic converting the fuel gauge into a battery charge meter. The interior features a period-correct gray scheme, modernized with lime green accents on the seats and floor mats, a nod to the high-performance Kia EV6 GT.

Kia UK plans to validate the Pride EV's performance metrics, so we'll soon discover how much the electrified version has improved compared to its 30-year-old predecessor.