Kia shows off the EV9 large electric SUV

Friday, 19 November 2021

Kia has revealed its take on a large all-electric SUV - the Concept EV9.

Hot on the heels of sister company Hyundai’s reveal of its Seven large electric SUV, Kia has revealed its take on the subject – the Concept EV9.

Like the Hyundai, the Concept EV9 holds more than a few hints about Kia’s upcoming EV9, the follow up to its striking EV6 that is on its way to our shore shortly.

Kia calls the Concept EV9 “the clearest signal yet as to what might be the next addition to its new-generation EV lineup” and, like the Hyundai Seven, it sits on the Hyundai Motor Group’s Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP).

Kia’s take on a large all-electric SUV is the handsome chunky and squared-off Concept EV9.

Also like the Hyundai, the Concept EV9's design was inspired by nature and uses upcycled materials developed from waste deposited into the marine ecosystem.

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Kia has taken a more traditional SUV route for the basic shape, but has been more daring with the external lighting.

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We wouldn’t expect the interior to make it into the production EV9.

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At just a whisker under five metres long, the Concept EV9 is not a small thing.

Concept EV9 has a shorter wheelbase than the Hyundai Seven (3100mm versus the Hyundai’s 3200mm), but is still a big lad, measuring 4930mm in length, 2055mm in width and 1790mm in height, and has the same promised range of 480km from its battery, as well as the same next-generation ultra-fast charging technology that will allow a 350kW charger to replenish energy from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in around 20 minutes.

The Concept EV9 features bold, boxy styling and a more complex light show on its face, with Kia saying its “iconic Tiger Face facade has been reinterpreted for the BEV era” and that the new BEV-focussed front end houses an intricate star cloud pattern display that is completely hidden behind the bodywork when not in use.

The company says the opportunities afforded with a re-styled “grille” have resulted in a new air vent design that reduces the frontal mass of the vehicle and greatly improves aerodynamics.

The hood vent duct area is utilised as a solar panel that helps recuperate some of the electric energy that the Concept EV9 uses, while retractable roof rails that close inward into the roof when not in use create smooth airflow over the vehicle, and a camera monitoring system that replaces the conventional wing mirrors further improves aerodynamic properties.

Inside the Concept EV9, Kia has taken a more conventional route, as opposed to the Hyundai Seven’s fully-autonomous arrangement and lounge-like feel, although it too features some seriously forward-looking touches, like the “pop-up steering pad” and the interactive 27-inch ultra-wide display that Kia says “serves as the nerve centre for all driver and passenger requirements, including media, climate control and comfort functionality features.”

The Concept EV9 features three “forward-thinking interior modes” that Kia says capture different journey situations and requirements – Active Mode is when the vehicle is on the move, making sure the driver and passengers have an optimal driving experience from within the all-electric SUV, whereas the two other modes relate to when the Concept EV9 is not moving.

Pause Mode modifies the interior space to be “more akin to a first-class lounge”. In this mode, the seats switch around to enable occupants seated in the first-row and third-row to face each other. The second-row seats fold down and become a table.

Enjoy Mode opens the interior by turning around the three-row seat configuration and opening the tailgate to give “all occupants the opportunity to connect with the outside environment and gaze ahead and beyond the vehicle while sitting comfortable inside”.

“The Kia Concept EV9 is yet another important marker for us in what has been an incredible journey since the start of the year,” said Karim Habib, senior vice president and head of the Kia Global Design Centre.

“Having made our intentions clear – to become a global leader in sustainable mobility solutions – today we are proud to show the world our all-electric SUV concept, which fuses together an advanced zero-emissions powertrain, a cutting-edge exterior design and a contemporary and innovative tech-based interior space.”