Kia Officially Teases the Kia EV9 All-Electric SUV
Back in November 2021, the Kia Corporation began to preview its upcoming EV9 all-electric SUV , following in the wake of the successful Kia EV6 all-electric hatchback. During the 2022 Chicago Auto Show, we saw the Kia EV9 concept raised up on a platform, and took the EV6 for a test drive , and since then, the EV9 was spotted to be in its final testing phase . Now in 2023, the automaker is finally ready to release the Kia EV9 SUV officially, starting with two teaser videos that can be found on the brand’s YouTube Channel – “Silhouette” and “Lights”.
“Lights” just places a larger focus on what I’ll bet are LED taillights and the illuminated front fascia, with a grid of digital lights on either side. With striking lighting patterns to complete the bold identity of the EV9, there is even talk of this SUV becoming the new flagship model of the automaker, or at least the new SUV flagship for Kia. At the moment, the teaser videos don’t really tell us much. We get a preview of the unique blend of sleek and sculptural design of the body, following the brand’s new design philosophy “Opposites United”, seen clearly in the design of the digital representation of the Kia EV9 , revealed in November 2021.
Now, I’m not the best at math, but seven and eight come after six. So, some people may be wondering what happened to the Kia EV7 or Kia EV8. Those two models may never come to be, because we’re way past that. The name “EV9” actually comes from Kia’s EV nomenclature. The automaker takes the prefix, “EV”, and pairs it with its number in chronological order of electric vehicles (EVs) currently in the lineup. So, the Kia EV9 is the ninth all-electric model amongst Kia’s already dedicated EV lineup. Growing at a fast rate, with plans to release 14 BEV models by 2027, as discussed during the Kia 2022 CEO Investor Day .
Kia plans to fully reveal both the exterior and interior design in mid-March, and the total specs and product information will be fully disclosed during the Kia EV9 World Premiere in late March. We wonder what the starting MSRP will be with all of the current competition out there. The 2023 Kia EV6, also considered to be an SUV in some spaces, starts at $48,700 (plus destination fee), so it might be not much more than that, maybe $5000 more if we’re aiming low. It’s anyone’s guess, but there are a couple of things we definitely know for sure. Starting with the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), developed by the Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) as the new platform for upcoming EVs to the lineup.
Well, actually, the E-GMP is going to be discontinued and replaced with a new platform already in the works. Could it be the Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs) HMG is working on? Maybe, but we know that the “Opposites United” design philosophy ensured the vehicle was more sustainable, built of upcycled materials developed from collected waste deposited into the marine ecosystem to make up the flooring of the vehicle, and the seating fabric made from recycled plastic bottles and wool fibers. The LED pattern on the front fascia is said to be a “star cloud” pattern that serves as a welcome light for the driver when the vehicle is unlocked. With geometric lines that resemble rocks in the fenders and pillars, the zigzag of lightning in the taillights, and the unique Daylight Opening (DLO) panoramic sky roof are all cues to the design philosophy of matching machinery with nature.
Riding on 22-inch wheels, the EV9 has already been tested for capability, trekking a 4WD climbing hill and a rough terrain at Kia’s global Namyang R&D center in Korea. With exceptional performance on road and off road, the EV9 concept interior is just as upscale. With an interactive 27-inch ultra-wide display that controls media, climate control, comfort, and a next-gen camera monitoring system, the interior can also be turned into a lounge area when the vehicle is stationary. One of three modes, Pause Mode turns the cabin into a real lounge front row seats that can swivel around to face the third row and folding the second-row seats into a table. The Kia EV9 is shaping up to be a real game-changer. We can’t wait to see how much of the original concept went into the final production model. We’ll know more by the end of March 2023. Keep up with us on Miami Lakes Automall social media to find out what’s new for Kia.
Photo Source/Copyright: Kia Media
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