KIA EV9
As innovative as it looks
- Highway Driving Pilot system
- Up to 3,68 kW battery power
- Option for Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) function
Kia's striking new electric 8-seater SUV is chock-full of innovation. Not only does it promise to be able to drive autonomously under certain conditions, it will also be able to inject power from its battery into the grid. And that's far from all that makes it a game-changer.
The maverick newcomer has a wheelbase of 3,100 millimetres and is 5,010 millimetres long, 1,980 millimetres wide and 1,755 millimetres high. In spite of its bulky proportions, it appears to be quite streamlined. A Cd of 0.28 is quite remarkable indeed. This value contributes to its driving range, which at 541 kilometres according to the WLTP standard is above average considering the vehicle segment it is in. Like the EV6, it is equipped with 800V technology, allowing for super-fast charging. How about 239 kilometres of driving range in 15 minutes?
Level 3 self-driving
Besides the standard version, there will also be a GT Line version of the EV9, which stands out aesthetically and technically. For instance, it can be equipped with the Highway Driving Pilot system (HDP), which makes the car 'self-driving' under certain conditions. Fifteen sensors, including two lidars, enable it to detect objects in a full 360° field of view and react to the road and other users to avoid potential collisions.
The system will initially be rolled out only in certain markets. After all, a legal framework is needed for self-driving cars and the roads also have to meet various criteria. What will be possible immediately, however, is autonomous parking. Given the size of the Kia EV9, this functionality will undoubtedly appeal to many a driver.
Home battery
The EV9 features a V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) function as standard. This allows you to use electricity in the drive battery to power electrical appliances with up to 3.68 kW. Handy for those who like camping or doing odd jobs outdoors.
Even more interestingly, Kia will eventually offer the option of adding the so-called Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) function via the Kia Connect Store. People with solar panels will especially benefit from this: they can store the energy from their photovoltaic system in their Kia EV9 and then use it as a home battery. Even better, they can also sell the power to the grid.
RWD or AWD
The EV9 will make its premiere at the 2023 Seoul Mobility Show. It will also be exhibited at the New York International Motor Show in early April. Pricing and equipment details are yet to be disclosed. It will not be available until autumn 2023 at the earliest anyway.
There will then be a choice between three powertrain versions: a RWD with standard battery (76.1 kWh) and 150 kW of power, another RWD with large battery (99.8 kWh) and 160 kW, and the AWD, which always comes with the large battery and draws 283 kW from its two electric motors. That power output should enable Kia’s SUV to speed from 0 to 100 km/h in barely 6.0 seconds.
