PUNE: Kia, the fastest growing South Korean automaker, on Wednesday unveiled its all-electric SUV Concept, the Kia EV9 and showcased the Kia KA4, a luxury RV at the 16th edition of the Auto Expo in Delhi.
The company also announced an investment of Rs 2,000 crore in India for EV related R&D, manufacturing, and infrastructure development over four-five years.
The Kia EV9 electric SUV concept broke the cover back in 2021 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The car is based on the Electric Global Modular Platform (e-GMP). It sports a boxy design with a flat roof and flared wheel arches. The front features a blanked-out grille with the ‘Star Cloud’ light pattern, while the rear gets funky LED tail lights. The car rides on 22-inch wheels.
Inside, the EV9 features a large 27-inch ultra-wide display integrating the digital instrument cluster and the central infotainment system.
The EV9 is said to offer a range of 483 km on a single charge. The battery is said to be compatible with next-gen ultra-fast charging that can replenish it from 10-80% in just 20-30 minutes.
The company also unveiled the Kia KA4 (4th-gen Carnival). In India, the Carnival is likely to be offered with a 2.2L diesel engine. This multi-purpose vehicle or MPV is likely to be launched in India later this year.
The fourth-generation Kia Carnival made its global debut in August 2020. The new MPV is larger than the model currently sold in India. It is available in 3-row or 4-row seating configurations and can accommodate up to 11 passengers.
Inside, the Carnival has a dual display that includes a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment and a similarly sized digital instrument cluster. The infotainment and climate control functions can be controlled using touch-sensitive buttons on the dashboard.
In the international market, the new Carnival is offered with 3 engine options. These include a 3.5-litre GDi V6 petrol, a 3.5-litre MPi V6 petrol and a 2.2-litre diesel engine. An 8-speed automatic transmission is offered as standard across all variants.
Kia also announced its entry into the Purpose-Built Vehicles (PBVs) segment for specialized institutions. These PBVs at the pavilion are a police van and an ambulance based on the Carens model.
“With the launch of the EV6, we began our electrification journey in India and today, we clear our vision for the future by showcasing the Concept EV9. Also, with the KA4, we are expanding our footprint in the popular UV segment. Want to show strength. Bold design and engine capacity, safety and luxury features have been given in this large recreational vehicle,” Tae-Jin Park, Managing Director & CEO at Kia India, said.
