Kia will try to take on Range Rover with its new electric SUV, the EV9, which is due to arrive in the UK next year.
Tested on European roads for the first time, the Kia EV9 will be the Korean brand’s largest European model to date, standing at the top of its range.
It was previewed as a concept earlier this year when Kia confirmed it would target luxury SUV buyers. However, don’t expect the EV9 to sell in large numbers, given its size.
The prototype seen in testing was camouflaged, but Kia’s head of European design Gregory Guillaume described the concept as a “close preview” – although it does.Some aspects are not expected to reach production, including the rear-hinged rear doors and the lack of a B-pillar.
New photos of the SUV show its large size, wide front end and horizontal headlights.
Its long wheelbase (3100 mm) is also evident, with the EV9’s size being the largest achievable on a global standard electric system (E-GMP), the same used by the Kia EV6.
The E-GMP also features an 800-volt electrical engineering, allowing fast charging at rates up to 350 kW.
It is expected to be launched with a twin engine and all-wheel drive, as well as an entry-level model equipped with a single engine driving the rear axle.
Significantly, the EV9 will be Kia’s first vehicle to be offered with the company’s Automode self-driving technology. It is also designed to take advantage of software updates over the air and features on demand (FOD).
Kia aims for FOD to become an essential part of its business model in the future. This may allow cars to be sold in fewer variants, as owners buy the specific features they want. Other car manufacturers are looking into this as well.
Kia will try to take on Range Rover with its new electric SUV, the EV9, which is due to arrive in the UK next year.
Tested on European roads for the first time, the Kia EV9 will be the Korean brand’s largest European model to date, standing at the top of its range.
It was previewed as a concept earlier this year when Kia confirmed it would target luxury SUV buyers. However, don’t expect the EV9 to sell in large numbers, given its size.
The prototype seen in testing was camouflaged, but Kia’s head of European design Gregory Guillaume described the concept as a “close preview” – although it does.Some aspects are not expected to reach production, including the rear-hinged rear doors and the lack of a B-pillar.
New photos of the SUV show its large size, wide front end and horizontal headlights.
Its long wheelbase (3100 mm) is also evident, with the EV9’s size being the largest achievable on a global standard electric system (E-GMP), the same used by the Kia EV6.
The E-GMP also features an 800-volt electrical engineering, allowing fast charging at rates up to 350 kW.
It is expected to be launched with a twin engine and all-wheel drive, as well as an entry-level model equipped with a single engine driving the rear axle.
Significantly, the EV9 will be Kia’s first vehicle to be offered with the company’s Automode self-driving technology. It is also designed to take advantage of software updates over the air and features on demand (FOD).
Kia aims for FOD to become an essential part of its business model in the future. This may allow cars to be sold in fewer variants, as owners buy the specific features they want. Other car manufacturers are looking into this as well.
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