Kia has been caught testing its upcoming flagship SUV on public roads in Europe. Still heavily camouflaged, a few of the concept’s design details can be seen through it all. The three-row SUV was previewed at the LA Auto Show in November 2021 with the EV9 concept. Defined by its boxy style and “conceptual” proportions, the show car was a sign of the big electric SUV that was to come. Some of the concept’s essence can still be sensed here, though. Beyond the scale and the shape, two design lines meeting at a sharp point just over the front wheel and a clamshell hood are both visible here despite the camouflage.
Although this prototype has mirrors
instead of the rearview cameras, and slightly smaller wheels than the concept
had, those mirrors still look pretty sharp and aerodynamic, while the
four-spoke wheels lend the SUV some visual intrigue. Unlike on the concept,
though, the rear doors will open in the traditional way, so don’t expect to see
suicide doors on the production EV9. This test vehicle appears to have a solid
roof, unlike the LA show car, which had a massive panoramic sunroof.
Kia said that the EV9 Concept offered up
to 540 km of range, as well as next-generation fast-charging that
could power the SUV up from 10 to 80 percent in less than 30 minutes. Based on
the E-GMP platform, Kia reckons that the electric motors will be powerful
enough to haul this big SUV from 0 to 100 km/h in about five seconds.
The study measured in at 4,930 mm in length, 2,055 mm width,
1,790 mm height and has a wheelbase of 3,100 mm. That makes it
a little less than three inches shorter than the Kia Telluride. Still, that’s
enough for three rows of seats and plenty of tech.
Kia confirmed that it will start selling
the EV9 in 2023 in various markets around the world including North America,
Europe and Asia.
