A production version of Kia’s Concept EV9 large electric SUV is heading to Europe and the UK in 2023 – but Kia Australia has yet to officially lock it in.
Kia UK has confirmed the EV9 will be arriving there next year, effectively confirming it’ll be available in right-hand drive.
“We are interested, however the detailed plans of Kia Australia’s future EV line-up such as EV9, are not yet fixed and will be announced in due course,” said a spokesperson for Kia Australia.
The Australian arm has previously confirmed it’s putting its hand up for any electric model it can get.
Globally, Kia is launching seven vehicles by 2027 that’ll use the E-GMP dedicated electric vehicle architecture, currently used by the new EV6 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Genesis GV60.
“We are negotiating strongly to bring as many of them to our shores as quickly as possible. If we’re lucky enough, there could be another couple next year,” said Kia Australia product boss Roland Rivero last month.
That suggests the EV9 could potentially make the trip to Australia at the same time as Europe and the UK.
Though Kia has released shadowy teasers of various E-GMP models, it has only introduced the EV6 thus far and previewed the EV9 in concept form.
Other E-GMP models, per the teasers, appear to include a small or mid-sized crossover, a slinky sedan (à la the Hyundai Ioniq 6), a small coupe, and a small hatchback.
The three-row EV9 is, by far, the largest of the upcoming E-GMP-based Kias.
The Concept EV9 measures 2055mm wide, 1790mm tall, and 4930mm long with a 3100mm wheelbase.
This is 80mm wider, 40mm taller, and 50mm shorter than the Hyundai Palisade, and rides a 200mm longer wheelbase.
Its wheelbase is 10mm down, however, on the E-GMP based Hyundai Seven, another three-row electric SUV concept that previews an upcoming model.
The production Ioniq 7 is due in 2024.
Kia says the Concept EV9 can be DC fast-charged at speeds of up to 350kW, which means it can be zapped from 10 to 80 per cent in 20 to 30 minutes.
Although the automaker has yet to release electric powertrain details, Kia did note the Concept EV9 has a range of up to 483km, line ball with the Hyundai Seven.
Carscoops reported last year the six- or seven-seat Ioniq 7 will use a 100kWh battery pack and offer a 230kW dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain, which could point to what the EV9 will offer.
Although Kia is putting its hand up for a full range, there’s no guarantee it will be able to lock the latest electric cars in for our market given tight global supply.
Supply of the EV6 is capped at just 500 cars for 2022, despite more than 1500 confirmed orders and record levels of pre-launch interest, and Kia has no guarantee the situation will improve over the coming years.
