EV9 officially unveiled in South Korea

KIA’S new, six- or seven-seat EV9 is a full-size electric SUV that was unveiled in South Korea this week in the run up to the Seoul Motor Show – which aligns with the New York Motor Show the following week.

Kia executives at the global online launch provided an insight into many aspects of the big and bold top-of-the-range newcomer that is scheduled to start rolling off the production line in the second half of this year.

Targeting early adopters, the Korean domestic market will be first to get the EV9 followed by the US and China with other markets – including Australia – down the track.

No price indications were provided; suffice to say the EV9 will certainly surpass the current top priced EV6 GT that goes for a snip under $100K Down Under.

The vehicle features a 3100mm wheelbase and is supported by a choice of 21-inch, 20-inch or 19-inch wheels. The vital measurements are 5010 mm in length, 1980mm in width and 1755mm in height.

With a polarising blocky design language, the EV9 features a surprisingly slippery aerodynamic coefficient of 0.28, and will form the basis of all Kia’s EV styling in the near future, exemplified in the smaller EV5 that was disclosed only last week.

The EV9 carries through with established Kia styling elements including a Tiger Nose front distilled in this case into something called the Tiger Mask…. because EVs don’t need a grille.

It has sexy LED lighting at the front that shines through the coloured bodywork, upright doors with polygonal style-lines and flush door handles, a long uniform side glass house and various devices at the front sides and rear to optimise aerodynamics.

The shape allows each of the three seat rows equal space providing relatively easy third row access for adults. Like the EV5, the EV9 (in some models at least) will have pivoting middle row seats to aid access and egress.

The (six-) or seven-seat, three-row large size vehicle is built on Kia’s (and Hyundai’s) E-GMP “skateboard” platform with benefits to overall packaging and interior room thanks to the flat floor.

It will be available in RWD and AWD configuration with standard- and long-range battery options and a high performance model, which was confirmed by Kia President and CEO Ho Sung Song to be built in 2024.

Kia will likely lift the EV6 GT’s 430kW dual-motor powertrain for the EV9 GT model with possible changes.

At the event, Kia executives spruiked the EV9 as redefining the user experience with enhanced space and comfort for all occupants thanks to the dedicated EV chassis and upright styling with a flat, level roofline and sculpted door cards and dash for additional room.

The vehicle’s green credentials are reinforced through biomaterials like corn husk and second-use materials inside such as recycled PET bottles and fishing net for elements of the upholstery. No animal-sourced leather is used in any version of the EV9.

Despite continuing legal and practical issues with autonomous drive, Kia has persisted with Level 3 autonomy, called Highway Pilot, for the EV9 which is essentially sophisticated cruise control that operates under specific conditions.

The EV9 features a broad choice of electric powertrain configurations based on the E-GMP and utilising Kia’s fourth-generation battery technology. A 76.1kWh battery is offered exclusively with the rear-wheel drive Standard model, while a 99.8-kWh battery is fitted in both the rear-wheel drive Long Range and all-wheel drive variants.

The RWD Long Range model is powered by a 150kW/350Nm electric motor, endowing the SUV with the ability to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 9.4 seconds. Also powered by a single electric motor, albeit a more powerful 160kW/350Nm unit, the Standard EV9 can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 8.2 seconds.

The AWD variant is equipped with two electric motors that together produce a total power output of 283 kW and combined torque of 600 Nm. This combination enables the SUV to surge from 0-100km/h in 6.0 seconds.

Greater levels of performance are available with an optional Boost feature, available for later purchase over-the-air (OTA). The combined torque is increased to 700Nm, enabling the EV9 to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 5.3 seconds. Towing capacity is 2500kg.

The EV9 has a WLTP target range of over 541km on a single charge for the RWD model, less for the AWD. RWD EV9 owners will be able to elicit 239km range in 15 minutes using an ultra-fast 800-volt charging appliance.

As a “fully connected” software defined vehicle, the EV9 is capable of receiving OTA upgrades, a first for Kia, with a subscription fee levied to purchase Kia Connect Store digital features and services on demand, giving owners the flexibility to choose the features they want and continuously upgrade the capability of the EV9.

The EV9’s numerous features facilitated by the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) include Remote Smart Parking Assist 2 (RSPA 2). This technology enables the EV9 to park itself without the need for driver intervention, whether in or out of the vehicle, with the driver initiating the procedure via the Kia smart key called Digital Key.

“The Kia EV9 transcends all aspects of traditional SUV thinking and represents the pinnacle of Kia’s design and engineering capabilities,” said Mr Sung Song.

“Created to meet the needs of all family members, the EV9 also spearheads Kia’s rapid transition to a sustainable mobility solutions provider, not just by its advanced EV architecture, but also through the numerous recycled and sustainable materials used in its creation.”

At the global online launch, Kia revealed a standard model and a GT-Line version which features a “unique” aesthetic that distinguishes it from the standard model. This includes front and rear bumpers, wheels, and roof rack that have undergone a transformation, complemented by a distinctive black color palette exuding a “strong and assertive presence”.

Kia will begin offering pre-orders of the EV9 for the Korean market in the second quarter of 2023. The Kia EV9 will go on sale in selected global markets from the second half of this year.