Seoul-shared images of EV9 confirm it’s set to be a big thing.

DEVELOPMENT of the largest electric car Kia has signalled seems to be cracking along.

Potential for the family-minded EV9 seven-seater to be at full production readiness within months and potentially in some markets, including right-hand drive countries prioritised by brand, seems high. Kia NZ has indicated keenness for the car.

Kia headquarters in South Korea has just released these images, showing the car in light disguise undertaking validation tests at the Namyang research and development testing ground, south of Seoul, a Hyundai Group facility for all its car brands.

The images suggest the showroom-bound product has maintained the same basic boxy design language design as the EV9 Concept that revealed at the 2021 Los Angeles Motor Show, though some detailing has been toned down – for one, it’ll have orthodox wing mirrors rather than the show car’s cameras - and it seems to be on smaller wheels than the display edition’s 22s.

Hyundai, of course, had a concept of the same ilk at that even as well – and their car is also set for release. But so far the parent brand hasn’t shared as much info.

Kia’s signature ‘tiger-nose’ design cues are evident in the images. The grille, of course, is completely blanked off. There’s also a smaller grille underneath with thin vertical LED headlight strips to either side.

Kia says the car’s development is in its final stages. The images are to impress the “gruelling verification programme” it puts its product through. With EV9 tests include deep-water wading, four-wheel drive incline hill, rough terrain track and, of course, the classic Belgian Pave cobbled road.

Kia’s tendency now is for cars heading into New Zealand and Australia to undertake more finessing in Australia – perhaps the next set of images might show the car in the Outback.

Kia has yet to share what the EV9’s interior might look like; the concept had a a 27-inch widescreen display that, if put into production, would be one of the largest screens fitted to a production car. It’s unlikely the concept’s one-spoke, oval steering wheel will come to market but there is conjecture the console layout will be as minimalist as that in the EV6.

The Concept EV9 (below) had a heavy focus on sustainability, with interior fabric made from recycled plastic bottles and wool fibre and a floor incorporating old fishing nets.