LA Auto Show: Kia unveils the Concept EV9 🎥
A LOOK INTO THE FUTURE At the Los Angeles Auto Show (until November 28), Kia is presenting the Concept EV9, a preview of a large E-SUV based on the new Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) with space for seven people.
The concept car with up to three rows of seats is 4.93 meters long, 2.06 meters wide and 1.79 meters high and has a wheelbase of 3.10 meters. That is 20 centimetres more than the EV6 crossover, which is already available.
Range of up to 480 kilometers
Kia does not provide any information on the size of the battery. It only mentions a range of up to 300 miles or the equivalent of around 480 kilometers. With the "next-generation ultra-fast charging technology", up to 350 kW should be possible. Should this system come into series production, the EV9 would clearly outperform the EV6 (up to 240 kW). So far, Kia has only stated a charging time of 20 to 30 minutes for the charging process from ten to 80 percent.
The E-GMP is basically designed for drives of up to 440 kW. It remains to be seen whether the EV9 will only be available as an all-wheel drive vehicle with two electric motors or, like the EV6, with purely rear-wheel drive
Striking front and special rims
When it comes to the design of the Concept EV9, the Koreans themselves attest to the "impressive visual aesthetics" of their new development. In addition to the front design and the special rims, the strongly flared wheel arches and the wide door section are striking. The doors open in opposite directions, so the study has no B-pillar.
Clever design feature: the roof rails can be lowered to reduce air resistance when they are not needed.
Full-length touchscreen instead of displays
While Hyundai and Kia have shown with the Ioniq 5 and EV6 that they are focusing on a distinctly independent design for their e-GMP models and staying close to the studies, the interior of the Concept EV9 is likely to undergo some adjustments on the way to series production.
Basically, the layout with the display arrangement is similar to the EV6. In the SUV study, there is a continuous 27-inch touchscreen instead of two 10.25-inch displays.
It will be interesting to see what the future holds for the brand.
