Kia India has launched a new SUV on its social media accounts. That’s the new EV9 concept, and it’s now confirmed that the electric SUV concept will be shown at the 2023 Auto Expo. Kia debuted the EV9 concept at the 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show. The manufacturer is also developing a production-spec version of the EV9, which is expected to debut in 2023.
Spy shots of the production-spec EV9 have been spotted several times and are available on the internet. However, Kia has reserved some concept elements for the production-spec SUV. For example, the appearance of the Butch SUV, the design of the headlights and taillights are also roughly the same as those in the concept car.
WATCH: Kia EV9 Concept EV to debut in India: What to expect?
The concept car has a pillarless design, so there are no B-pillars. This gives the cabin an airy feel, but the brand now has to use suicide doors. Therefore, the rear doors are mounted on the C-pillars. Suicide doors are commonly found on Rolls-Royce cars because they make getting in and out easier.
The suicide doors and pillarless design of the Kia EV9 Concept.
The EV9 is expected to be based on the e-GMP platform used in the Kia EV9 and Ioniq 5. e-GMP is an electric skateboard platform where all four wheels are located in the corners and the battery is placed on the ground. As a result, it opens up a lot of interior space.
Also read: Kia EV9 electric SUV to debut in 2023; undergoes final technical tests
The EV9 electric SUV will be a three-row SUV, so it will compete with the Rivian R1S, Tesla Model X, and Mercedes-Benz EQS. As of now, Kia is unlikely to launch a production-spec EV9 in the Indian market. Having said that, Kia does sell the EV6 in the Indian market, which is currently their flagship and sold out in 2022. The manufacturer brought only 100 units through the CBU route, but the number of reservations was close to 300 units, so Kia decided to introduce more units of the EV6.
First published date: Dec 29, 2022 at 10:42am CST
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