Kia tops EV line-up with large SUV

New Concept EV9 previews all-electric flagship that will enter production by 2024

- MARK TISSHAW

The Concept EV9 previews a new rangetopping flagship for Kia’s fast-expanding electric car range.

Revealed at the Los Angeles motor show alongside the technically related and similarly positioned Hyundai Seven concept, the Concept EV9 is expected to go into production before 2024. Sales in the UK are considered likely as part of the firm’s push towards electric cars.

At 4929mm long, 2055mm wide and 1790mm tall, the Concept EV9 is only marginally smaller than a Range Rover, a car that will have its own all-electric version by the time the EV9 makes production. While the all-electric Range Rover is expected to have a price in excess of £100,000, the production EV9 is likely to come in at around half that.

Underpinning the Concept EV9 is Kia’s E-GMP electric car architecture, also used on the just-launched EV6. It is understood to use that car’s largest battery size of 77.4kWh. The lithium ion polymer battery pack is mounted in the floor within the concept’s 3100mm wheelbase. A fast charge of the battery from 10% to 80% takes about 20 minutes.