Kia has unveiled a full-size sculpture of the EV4 GT model as a tribute to tennis player Rafael Nadal. The piece was presented at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Spain, to celebrate the athlete's career and his long-standing partnership with the brand, which began in 2006.
The sculpture is constructed from a blend of traditional styling clay and actual clay sourced from tennis courts in Monte Carlo, Paris, Rome, and Madrid. White design tape was applied to the surface to emphasize the vehicle's character lines, mimicking the markings found on tennis courts.
The exterior of the model features graphics detailing Nadal's career achievements, including 63 titles on clay, 81 consecutive wins on clay, 4 French Open titles, and 5 seasons ranked as world number 1. The sculpture also bears the athlete's signature.
While the model shares the dimensions of the production EV4 GT hatchback, it is a non-drivable display piece without an interior. It is equipped with production wheels and tires. Kia noted that clay modeling remains a key part of its vehicle development process for evaluating proportions and surfaces.
