Kia has unveiled a new petrol-scented car fragrance designed to help long-time combustion-engine drivers adjust to electric vehicle ownership, offering a nostalgic nod to the familiar smell of fuel.
According to the Finnish site Motor 283, the campaign was launched by Kia’s Finnish distributor Astara Auto Finland (importer of Kia in Finland). The bespoke fragrance was developed by Finnish perfumier Max Perttula, the only professional perfumer in Finland, who has created scents for several premium brands.
Commercial Director Klaus Pohjala explained that the concept was about easing the emotional shift to electric vehicles:
“Giving up the combustion engine can feel like a huge step, just like giving up anything else that is familiar. We wanted to add a touch of nostalgic fun to the transition with a petrol-scented car freshener.” — Klaus Pohjala Electrek
Perttula described the creative process behind the scent, which blends subtle notes of motor oil, metallic tones, and petrol with more traditional fragrance ingredients such as jasmine, amber compounds, birch tar and galbanum.
“I picked ingredients that are commonly used in men’s fragrances and in the reconstruction of women’s jasmine flower. It may sound wild that it’s jasmine of all things that contains compounds with a fragrance that creates associations with petrol — probably not the first thing you’d think of.” — Max Perttula Carscoops
The end result, he explained, is a “light hint of petrol” balanced with a workshop-like atmosphere that evokes the sensory experience of older vehicles without overwhelming the senses.
DM News Commentary
While the idea might seem tongue-in-cheek, it highlights how automakers are exploring creative ways to make the transition to EVs more emotionally engaging. For drivers used to the sounds and smells of combustion engines, Kia’s petrol-inspired fragrance offers a playful bridge between the past and the electric future.
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