We’ve only seen the Kia EV9 testing once, and it was wearing big, chunky camouflage that hid the majority of the bodywork. Now, though, it has exchanged that bulky outfit for something a little body-hugging. Seen here in new dazzle camouflage, the body lines and design features are more visible than ever, though there are still some sections that appear to have had lumps added to keep us from seeing too much.
All the same, the boxy design from the EV9
Concept, which was unveiled in November 2021 at the LA Auto Show, remains on
this test vehicle, seen driving around the Nürburgring. This does appear to
still be relatively early in development, though, since its front seats are
labeled Recaro and a roll cage can be seen inside. Although the overall shape
of the SUV is pretty faithful to the concept, there are differences. The rear
doors, for example, appear to open the traditional way, rather than being
suicide doors. Some of the creases on the body look slightly less extreme than
those shown on that demonstrator, too.
The Kia EV9 will be a three-row SUV that
is primarily intended to capture the eye of American customers. The automaker
may even build the electric vehicle in the country, at a plant that could be
located in Georgia. The model will, however, also be offered to customers in
Europe. According to Kia, the concept version was “capable” of going up to 482 km on a charge and would feature “next-generation ultra-fast
charging technology” that allows to go from 10 to 80 percent charge in under 30
minutes.
The concept car measured 4,930 mm in length, 2,055 mm width, 1,790 mm height and has a wheelbase
of 3,100 mm, making it a little shorter than the Kia Telluride, though
the wheelbase was a little longer than that vehicle and a little wider, too. Kia
has confirmed that it will start selling the EV9 in 2023 around the world,
including in North America, Europe, and Asia.
