The Kia Concept EV9 implicitly unveils a production version scheduled for 2023. This large SUV, which tops the electric range, takes up the technical basis of the Kia EV6. It is much larger in size and shows us its bold lines.
The Korean manufacturer is continuing to develop its range of 100% electric SUVs. Marketed from next July, the second generation of the Niro EV is responsible for making volume, on the edge of the compact vehicle segment. Freshly awarded the title of car of the year 2022, the atypical EV6 with sporty lines occupies the segment of more family models and intends to make its image. Kia is now targeting the category of large electric SUVs, with an EV9 Concept that foreshadows a production model scheduled for 2023.
Realized by the california style bureau – which, together with Europe (Frankfurt) and South Korea, constitutes one of Kia’s three main design centers – the Concept EV9 assumes its strong personality. True to the spirit of the Opposite United in-house design (alliance of opposites), its angular lines evoke an adventurous spirit and feature an ocean blue livery with a matte finish. Its fairly vertical windscreen pillars and geometric glass surfaces are reminiscent in some ways of the latest Land Rover Defender and the old Kia Soul. It offers retractable roof bars which lighten its silhouette a little.
An assumed adventurous style
The third triangular side window that goes up towards the rear blends perfectly into the stern, which has particularly sculpted vertical lights. Its lines retain an astonishing purity, despite the presence of prominent black lacquered wheel arches and side sills. The absence of any apparent opening on the doors contributes to this fluidity. The serial EV9 will take over the erectile handles already seen on the little brother EV6. On the other hand, it is possible that the cameras acting as exterior mirrors, as on an Audi e-tron Sportback, will continue on the production model. However, this will not be the case for the photovoltaic panels installed on the hood. To be continued…
The bow, which offers a “Digital Tiger Face” (a digital tiger’s head), allows itself a few rare curves on its sides. The electric propulsion makes it possible to dispense with the traditional grille. It is therefore replaced here by a body-colored panel whose ends incorporate a multitude of mini LEDs, reminiscent of a starry sky on some sides. It is not certain that the final version offers such a light signature as standard, unlike the more realistic daytime running lights that surround the front fenders, the shield and the bonnet.
Pattern size
With 4.93 m long, 1.79 m high and above all 2.055 m wide, the Concept EV9 is large in size and may sometimes feel cramped on our road network. More suited to the American market where it should find its audience, this imposing SUV is based on huge 22-inch wheels (275/50 R122) and takes over the platform of the EV6 whose wheelbase increases to 3.10 m. Enough to allow, according to Kia, to house larger batteries to increase its autonomy and position itself against future rivals such as the Mercedes EQS SUV, the Tesla Model X Plaid or the Lotus Eletre.
If Kia does not communicate any technical information for the moment, the definitive EV9 could resume an engine offer close to that of its little brother EV6. As a reminder, this model offers us a 77.4 kWh battery with a single 229 hp motor on the rear wheels, two motors totaling 325 hp on all four wheels and a very soon thundering EV6 GT promising 584 hp. While waiting to find out more, the EV9 planned for 2023 uses an architecture compatible with 800 Volt terminals, allowing it to recover 80% autonomy in just 18 minutes.
life at six
In the absence of any middle foot, the front and rear doors with antagonistic openings facilitate access to a passenger compartment capable of accommodating six occupants. The production model should also offer a seven-seater configuration. It will have a central pillar essential for safety in the event of a side impact and a classic door kinematics. The seats of the Kia Concept EV9 are upholstered in fabric made from recycled plastic bottles and wool fibres.
The use of more environmentally friendly materials can be found everywhere in the cabin, between vegan leather and the floor covering made from recycled fishing nets. The generous wheelbase of 3.10 m frees up plenty of space in the three rows offering three interior layout options. In addition to Active mode, which keeps the seats in the direction of travel when the vehicle is moving, there are two other modes available when stationary. The first, called Pause, transforms the passenger compartment into a living room, with seats in rows 1 and 3 facing each other, once the second row is folded down in the form of a table. The second, called Enjoy, allows you to turn the three rows of seats backwards to observe the landscape, after opening the trunk.
techno parade
The particularly refined dashboard includes a large 27-inch horizontal screen. This fully digital touch screen brings together all of the vehicle’s functions, including air conditioning. Added to this is a floating center console reminiscent of that of the EV6, which is more stripped down since it does not include any driving function. The rectangular design steering wheel, whose control is retractable, can move forward into the dashboard, once the vehicle is stationary. It foreshadows a new step towards autonomous driving.
The Concept EV9 implicitly unveils the final version scheduled for 2023. Its daring style, its technology and its particularly imposing dimensions confirm Kia’s move upmarket and its desire to position itself in a niche that promises to be promising in the future. See you next year to find out more.
