Kia’s sent its sensible new EV4 around the Nürburgring. Wait, what now?

News has reached Top Gear that Kia’s new EV4 – a small, moderately powered and very sensible electric car – has been seen testing around the Green Hell.

It is not, unfortunately, an indication that Kia has thrown all caution to the wind, ramped up the power on its funky little EV, and absolutely Sent It. It is something rather more worthy: a big battery degradation test!

“Following comprehensive endurance trials,” said Kia, “including a 110,000km European road durability test and a 10,000km Nürburgring campaign simulating 90-to-95 per cent of the model’s max performance output, the EV4 showed minimal wear and sustained battery efficiency.”

Don’t deny you’re not all here for minimal wear and sustained battery efficiency. Not only was it subjected to a bit of light Nürburgring torture - around 480 laps! – it was also subjected to repeated “hypercharging” sessions between laps to really give the battery a workout. Ouchy.

The result of extreme punishment? The EV4’s battery came back with 95 per cent ‘state of health’. Indeed, Kia guarantees the battery will retain at least 70 per cent of its capacity after 160,000km, or eight years of ‘regular’ use.

Now, wouldn’t it be something if Kia instead threw caution to the wind, ramped up the power and absolutely Sent It…