Design and tech reshapes user experience in Kia EV9
Kia has revealed full details of the Kia EV9, its first three-row seat electric flagship SUV.
Apr 6, 2023
Kia seemingly can do no wrong right now. The new design language looks striking and commands attention, while the increased levels of creature comforts and premium feel already delivers a very rewarding experience for Kia owners.
Kia's EV push is also gaining traction with the well-executed Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) providing underpinning for a raft of exciting new models from Korea.
At the upper echelon of those offerings is Kia’s EV9 and Kia promises this large SUV will provide both athletic performance and a targeted all-electric range over 541 km (WLTP)
New generation and ultra-fast 800-volt charging capability enable the EV9 battery pack to be replenished with sufficient charge to power the vehicle for 239 km in approximately 15 minutes.
There are numerous technological breakthroughs for Kia, which will bring a premium technology suite to mainstream SUV offering. These will include the Highway Driving Pilot (HDP) system which gives conditional Level 3 autonomous driving in future EV9 GT-line models. HDP will only be in only some markets at first along with the Kia Connect Store, which enables customers to purchase digital features and services on demand, giving them the flexibility to choose the features they want and continuously upgrade the capability of the EV9 with Over the Air (OTA) updates at any time. No word on what will be available in New Zealand just yet, but rest assured there will be a plethora of features to satisfy.
The Kia EV9 will offer a range of seating options that cater to diverse needs. It offers seven-seater and six-seater configurations and a variety of second-row seat options, totaling to four, suitable for different situations such as moving, charging, and resting. The first-row features relaxation seats that ensure a comfortable resting posture. The second row, for the first time among global EV models, offers four seating options, including 3-seater bench seats, basic-type, relaxation-type, and swivel-type two-seater independent seats, providing customers with a variety of usage methods to choose from.
When equipped with the second-row relaxation seats, the EV9 allows first and second-row occupants to recline together while the SUV is charging. With the swivel seat option, the second-row seats swivel 180 degrees to enable conversations with those seated in the third row.
The EV9 features a broad choice of electric powertrain configurations based on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) and utilising Kia’s fourth-generation battery technology. A 76.1-kWh battery is offered exclusively with the Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) Standard model , while a 99.8-kWh battery is fitted in both the RWD Long Range and All Wheel Drive (AWD) variants.
The RWD Long Range model utilizes a 150 kW / 350 Nm electric motor, endowing the SUV with the ability to accelerate from 0-to-100 km/h in 9.4 seconds, as preliminary data reveals. Also powered by a single electric motor, albeit a more powerful 160 kW / 350 Nm variant, the Standard RWD EV9 can accelerate from 0-to-100 km/h in 8.2 seconds.
The AWD variant is equipped with two electric motors that together unleash a total power output of 283 kW and a combined torque of 600 Nm. This potent combination enables the SUV to surge from 0-to-100 km/h in just 6.0 seconds. And even greater levels of performance are available with an optional Boost feature, available for later purchase at the Kia Connect Store. The combined torque is increased to an exceptional 700 Nm, enabling the EV9 to accelerate from 0-to-100 km/h in 5.3 seconds.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems include Remote Smart Parking Assist. This technology enables the EV9 to park itself without the need for driver intervention, whether in or out of the vehicle, with the driver initiating the procedure via the Kia smart key. In a first for Kia, users will even be able to start the vehicle remotely from their smart phone.
In addition, the EV9 will offer pre- and post-driving safety and convenience with features such as Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance and Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist.
Registration of interest for the Kia EV9 is now open and you can find out more by contacting: www.giltrapnorthshore.co.nz
