following on from last year’s LA motor show debut, Kia has confirmed the eventual production version of its concept EV9 will come to the UK.
Still only in concept form, the road-going model will drop the ‘Concept’ tag and simply be called ‘EV9’. The brand has already registered this trademark and the EV9 will sit above the EV6 crossover in Kia’s line-up.
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Kia describes the concept EV9 as “an renowned and bold form, meshing logical and emotional qualities with playful, rugged features and styling cues”. It certainly is a departure from the firm’s EV6. Instead, we can see a much much more upright and angular method similar to the soul EV and Kia’s internal-combustion engined SUVs, including the Sorento.
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At 4,930mm long, 2,055mm broad and 1,790mm tall, the concept EV9 is larger than the firm’s range-topping Sorento SUV in the UK and is similar in size to the North American-market Telluride. Unsurprisingly, it will sit above the EV6 in Kia’s electric SUV range, providing three-row seating to rival the likes of the Mercedes EQB and upcoming Hyundai Ioniq 7.
Just like the Ioniq 7 that’s due in 2023, the EV9 will be based on the modular E-GMP platform. This implies we could see the EV6’s 77.4kWh battery being made available for the EV9.
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The EV6 has a maximum range of 328 miles, so expect a bit less in the EV9 due to its extra size and weight if this pack is carried over. Of course, Kia could enlarge the battery for this bigger, heavier and less aerodynamic model, with the larger wheelbase offering scope for this in future as well.