Kia sculpts Nadal a car from tennis-court clay

Kia has given Rafael Nadal a car made from the surface that made him famous: a full-size clay model of its EV4 GT, using material taken from tennis courts where he played.

The tribute marks a partnership that began in 2004, before Nadal won his first Grand Slam, and draws on a creative connection between the sport and car design.

Clay helped Nadal win 63 titles on the surface.

It is also the material automotive designers use to sculpt and refine vehicles before production.

Kia replaced the tape normally used to define a clay model’s contours with white tennis-court markings, adding highlights from Nadal’s career along the lines.

Four films document the project, from the making of the model to its handover to Nadal in Mallorca.

“Receiving this tribute, created from the material that has defined so much of my journey, is incredibly meaningful,” said Nadal.

The idea gives a sponsorship lasting more than two decades a physical expression, linking the tools of Kia’s designers with the courts of its ambassador.

Elsewhere, Kia Norway attracted attention with its jab at Elon Musk, although Kia said it had not approved that activity.

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