KIA is getting ready a kick-ass model of its upcoming electrical giant SUV, the EV9, by sharing the 430kW powerplant and tuned digital suspension with the just-launched EV6 GT.
The model, which made the disclosure on the launch of the EV6 GT on the Australian Open tennis event in Melbourne final week, indicated that the EV9 GT would turn into Kia’s costliest Australian mannequin with a $100,000-plus price ticket and aspirations of fronting up in opposition to the likes of status efficiency SUVs from BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz.
Kia Australia chief working officer Damien Meredith mentioned the native department was hopeful that 2200 items of each the EV6 and EV9 could be accessible on the market in 2024, the primary full 12 months on sale for the EV9.
“However we’d actually need 2500,” he mentioned.
Whereas the EV6 is seen by Kia as a religious successor to the outgoing Stinger GT giant passenger automotive, the EV9 will probably be positioned above the Sorento giant SUV.
Each electrical fashions are globally in demand, with GT variations anticipated to draw about 400 patrons every in 2024. The EV6 GT had a pre-sold availability of 500 items in 2023.
The EV9, is a three-row SUV utilizing the identical E-GMP platform because the EV6 however with an extra 200mm within the wheelbase to take it to 3100mm.
Its timing for the Australian market later this 12 months comes after two years of deliberation about bringing within the Kia Telluride SUV.
The Telluride, a seven- or eight-seat giant SUV associated to the Hyundai Palisade, is produced solely in the US and isn’t made in right-hand drive.
Kia execs mentioned that there was “no probability” Australia would see a right-hand drive Telluride within the present technology however that it was potential a second-gen car would have right-hand drive.
It was identified that the Telluride was engaging for Kia Australia given the month-to-month gross sales of about 300 items by its Hyundai sister car, the Palisade.
The EV9 replicates a lot of the Telluride’s dimensions. It has a 3100mm wheelbase in contrast with the Telluride at 2900mm. The EV9 is wider by 65mm (2055mm), greater by 40mm (1790mm) and shorter by 70mm (4930mm) and estimated to have an identical 2463-litre baggage capability (two seat rows collapsed).
Kia Australia is at the moment contemplating which variants of the EV9 to import, together with the selection of short- and/or long-range battery variations.
The corporate’s normal supervisor of product planning, Roland Rivero, advised GoAuto that the acquisition value would decide such choices.
Mr Rivero mentioned the smaller EV9 battery ought to have a spread within the 400s of kilometres, whereas the long-range pack must be within the 600s.
He mentioned the EV9 may are available three grades together with the entry-level Air together with the GT-Line and GT.
Mr Rivero mentioned based mostly on the gross sales mixture of the EV6, nearly all of EV9 patrons will go for the top-spec variant.
“People who find themselves taking a look at EV6 are predominantly popping out of a European status automotive,” he mentioned.
“They’re taking a look at options and they’re ticking all of the containers. Gross sales are actually virtually 100 per cent GT-Line, with half the rear-drive and half all-wheel drive.
“This tells us that they’re taking a look at efficiency and options quite than value. The Air (at $72,590 plus on-road prices) is about $7000 cheaper than the rear-drive GT-Line nevertheless it’s solely getting about 5 per cent of EV6 gross sales.
“It’s concerning the emotive selection, it is concerning the one which makes the largest assertion.”
Mr Rivero mentioned he anticipated an identical response to the EV9, though conceded the Air might appeal to patrons who in any other case might have opted for the Carnival folks mover.
