Kia’s supermodel-shocking stunt is not what it appears to be

The UK division of South Korean car-maker Kia has gone to extreme lengths to launch its new EV9 electric SUV – by putting British supermodel Jodie Kidd on a million-volt platform – but the death-defying stunt was not as it seemed.

In a media statement, Kia UK showed images of Jodie Kidd – who has competed in amateur racing events – with ‘lightning’ coming out of her fingertips, while standing in front of the new EV9 electric SUV.

Kia claims the model was ‘electrocuted’ with more than one million volts, which was achieved by standing on a ‘lightning machine’ while wearing a skin-tight ‘Faraday’ chainmail suit – designed to deflect the deadly shocks away from the person wearing it.

While the published photos show Kidd wearing a white and blue dress with lightning bolts coming off her fingers, these shots are a combination of images – combining those taken with the model in the chainmail suit, plus later photos of her in the more fashionable outfit.

Thankfully, Kidd was not in danger of being electrocuted while wearing the Faraday suit, allowing her to continue making automotive and motorsport-related videos on her YouTube channel – Kidd in a Sweet Shop.

Fans of motoring show Top Gear may also recognise Kidd from being a former guest from its ‘Star in a Reasonably Priced Car’ segment – in which she set the fastest lap time to that point.

Kidd also made a cameo appearance in the Top Gear ‘Ashes’ episode, where she partnered with Jeremy Clarkson to race a double-decker car against the presenters of Top Gear Australia.