Kia Malta Presents World Record Holder Neil Agius with 2025 World Car of the Year, the EV3
Neil Agius, Malta’s celebrated ultra-endurance swimmer and environmental advocate, achieved a monumental feat in September 2024 by completing a 142.3 km unassisted, current-neutral ocean swim around the Maltese Islands in 60 hours and 35 minutes. This swim, starting from Mellieħa Bay and concluding at Għar Lapsi, was officially ratified by the World Open Water Swimming Association, setting a new world record and surpassing his previous 2021 record of 125.7 km.
As a proud brand ambassador for Kia Malta, Neil’s values have always been perfectly aligned with the brand. From day one, Kia has believed in Neil, not just for his athletic talent, but for his mission. Together, they both share a vision of a more sustainable future, one powered by determination, innovation, and action.
As a tribute to his inspiring achievement, Kia Malta has presented Neil with the all-new Kia EV3, a fully electric SUV that has just earned the prestigious World Car of the Year award 2025. The EV3 represents everything Neil stands for: bold design, clean energy, forward-thinking innovation, and above all, purpose.
The Kia EV3, recently crowned 2025 World Car of the Year, is a bold step forward in electric mobility. This compact electric SUV offers up to 610 km of range on a single charge with an 81.4 kWh battery and supports rapid charging from 10% to 80% in just over 30 minutes.
The Kia EV3 exemplifies Kia’s commitment to sustainability and aligns with Neil Agius’ values through its innovative use of eco-friendly materials in the vehicle’s interior. The Kia EV3 leverages natural fibre structures enabling lightweight seat design with more elegant aesthetics and nature-inspired colour tones. The cabin features a blend of recycled and bio-based materials, including seats crafted from recycled PET bottles and carpets made from recycled fishing nets. Additionally, the dashboard and door trims incorporate recycled fabrics, contributing to a reduced environmental footprint. Kia’s design team also explored the use of natural materials like mycelium, derived from mushroom roots, for components such as the center console, showcasing a forward-thinking approach to sustainable automotive design.
These efforts align with Kia’s broader sustainability strategy, aiming to integrate innovative, eco-conscious materials across its vehicle lineup.
Building on his record-breaking 142.3 km swim in September 2024, Neil now has his sights set on The Gozo 7, an intense, seven-day endurance experiment. He will swim approximately 42 km (a marathon distance) daily around Gozo’s rugged coastline, entering the water for up to 13–15 hours each day.
A dedicated scientific team will monitor his physical exhaustion, mental resilience, cognitive function, nutrition, breathwork, movement, and recovery through daily assessments, using insights from Neil’s Ocean Mindset. Combined, this expedition showcases Neil’s mission to reveal how resilience, simple recovery tools, and a supportive community can help people tackle life’s greatest challenges, truly a live science experiment in endurance.
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