Kia has become a much cooler and desirable brand than it was a decade ago and at next month’s SEMA Show, it will unveil a pair of creations that could show just how hip the carmaker has become. While only two teasers have been released of the new models, there are no prizes for anyone who guesses what Kia has been up to. The first concept is clearly based on the existing all-electric EV9, as evidenced by those unmistakable LED headlights and daytime running lights.
Kia has then installed a yellow LED light
bar on the roof of the three-row SUV and a trio of smaller yellow LEDs between
the headlights. A pair of tow hooks are also visible. It seems likely that the
special EV9 will be a more off-road-focused variant. Whether or not the concept
spawns a production model remains to be seen, but Kia does offer a handful of
slightly more adventurous versions of its SUVs, such as the Sportage X-Pro and
the Sorento X-Pro. It would only make sense if the EV9 also got the X-Pro
treatment. Either that or the marque may be working on some individual
accessories it could launch for the EV.
The second vehicle teaser is a little more
unusual. The LEDs are vastly different than any current Kia production model
but do appear identical to those featured on the PV5, the electric van Kia
unveiled at CES in January, which will soon hit the production line. We can see
Kia has added two additional lighting units to the front fascia of the concept
and like the EV9, has also added a yellow LED light bar to the roof. It’s slightly
harder to determine Kia’s plans for this model. While there could be some
demand for an off-road version of the EV9, we suspect the market for an
off-road commercial vehicle like the PV5 is smaller.
Whatever the case, all will be revealed at
SEMA, running from November 5 to November 8 in Las Vegas.
