Kia reveals full details of EV9

MANILA: The Kia EV9, the brand's first three-row electric flagship SUV, has just been fully unveiled by Kia. The Kia EV9 made its physical debut at the Seoul Mobility Show 2023.

The Kia EV9 leads Kia's accelerated transition into a sustainable mobility solutions provider in the age of electrification by introducing new design and technology to the market.

“The Kia EV9 transcends all aspects of traditional SUV thinking and represents the pinnacle of Kia’s design and engineering capabilities. 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,” Kia Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer Ho Sung Song stated.

The Kia EV9 features the brand's "Opposites United" design philosophy. Its aesthetics has been significantly influenced by the "Bold for Nature" design pillar, which promotes the fusion of elements from the natural and material worlds.

The exterior of the Kia EV9 conveys a sense of soothing, modern tranquility appropriate for a sophisticated electric vehicle for a new era of sustainable mobility. The Kia EV9 has a 3,100mm wheelbase and comes with a set of 21-inch, 20-inch, or 19-inch wheels.

The front of the Kia EV9 emanates confidence and cleanliness. The Kia EV9's distinct Digital Tiger Face expresses its own character, and the Digital Pattern Lighting Grille and vertical headlamps give it a futuristic aesthetic. The Star Map LED daytime running lights produce an amazing animated lighting pattern that will serve as a representation of the Digital Tiger Face for future electric vehicles while also presenting an innovative illumination experience.

Aside from the standard model, Kia also revealed the GT-line design, which stands out with its distinctive appeal. The GT-line features an exclusive black color palette that exudes a strong and commanding appearance, distinguishing it from the standard version. The front and rear bumpers, wheels, and roof rack have all received upgrades. The GT-line also  comes with an exclusive Digital Pattern Lighting Grille that gives its already spectacular look a touch of dynamism and elegance.

The Kia EV9 has a selection of seating configurations to meet different needs. It has seven- and six-seater variants, as well as a variety of second-row seat configurations. The first row has relaxation seats, ensuring a comfortable resting position. The second row offers four seating options, including three-seater bench seats, basic-type, relaxation-type, and swivel-type two-seater independent seats, which gives customers a range of usage alternatives for the first time among global electric vehicle models.

The Kia EV9 offers a wide range of electric powertrain options based on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) and Kia's fourth-generation battery technology. A 76.1kWh battery is available with the Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) Standard variant, while a 99.8kWh battery is included in both the RWD Long Range and All Wheel Drive (AWD) variants.

According to preliminary data, the RWD Long Range variant's 150kW/350 Nm electric motor enables the Kia EV9 to sprint from 0 to 100kph in 9.4 seconds. The Standard RWD EV9 is also powered by a single electric motor, albeit a more powerful 160kW/350 Nm version, that can reach 100kph from a standstill in 8.2 seconds.

The AWD model has two electric motors that work in tandem to produce a combined 283kW of power and 600Nm of torque. This powerful combination allows the Kia EV9 to accelerate from 0 to 100kph in just  six seconds. Boost features, available as an option at the Kia Connect Store, offer even higher levels of performance. This increases the combined torque to 700Nm, making the Kia EV9 capable of accelerating from a standstill to 100kph in 5.3 seconds.

The battery pack of the Kia EV9 can be recharged with enough power to run it for 239km in around 15 minutes using an ultra-fast 800V charging system.

The Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) of the Kia EV9 has Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality, allowing the energy from the vehicle's battery to be discharged. Up to 3.68kW of power can be used for electronic devices or camping gear.

The Kia EV9 will also have conditional Level 3 autonomous driving thanks to Kia's Highway Driving Pilot (HDP) system. It has 15 sensors, including two lidars, that allow it to scan and identify objects in a 360-degree field of view to avoid potential collisions.

The Kia EV9 will be showcased next at the New York International Auto Show this April. Pre-orders in South Korea will begin in the second quarter of 2023. The Kia EV9 will be rolled out in select global markets in the second half of the year.

Photos from Kia Corporation

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