Kia has unveiled the first drawings of the Concept EV9, a full-size electric Suv based on the E-Gmp platform exclusively dedicated to the Korean manufacturer’s zero-emission models. The concept car, whose production version is expected to hit the market in late 2022, will be officially unveiled on November 17 at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
“To design the Concept EV9, we started from the observation of nature. A principle that is part of our design philosophy: this model represents our vision and is a preview of our second model after the EV6 in our exclusively electric range,” explains Karim Habib, head of Kia design since 2019. The Lebanese designer explains that there is more behind the Concept EV9 than just a zero-emission SUV: “We don’t just want to make a vehicle that takes people to their destination, but one that gives them a mobility experience.”
The Concept EV9 features boxy volumes and sharp lines, an evolution of what we saw on the Kia Telluride, an SUV for the U.S. market, unveiled in 2019. The front grille has been confined to the lower part, while the front grille also incorporates the LED headlights and extends across the entire width of the model. The beltline flows surrounding the vehicle at the same height both in profile and at the rear, where we find the vertically developed headlights.
The interior has been designed to offer the driver and passengers a sense of lightness and flexibility. The dashboard has been freed of all superfluous physical commands and functions have been delegated to the large display for instrumentation and infotainment positioned at the top of the dashboard. The shape of the steering wheel, which follows a hexagonal profile, is also unusual. The research into materials is also oriented towards sustainability: the upholstery is derived from plastic and fishing nets collected from the ocean, while traditional leather will no longer be available.
