The Kia Concept EV9 is quite a creative splurge from the brand. This is not strange to the South Koreans, however, as it turns out when we take a look at the past.
Kia KCV-II Concept
In 2002 Kia presented this colossus in Paris. The KCV-II Concept was to show which way Kia would go in the years that followed. We can safely say that it became a lot less extravagant. The KCV-II was a special mix of a pick-up and an SUV, with gull-wing doors. All in all, it looked special to say the least. Fortunately, it was mainly a technological sign, including keyless entry, a brake assistant and a navigation system on board.
Kia KCV-III Concept
A year later, a study model appeared that, although in name resembled a sequel to the above concept car, but whose appearance suggested completely different. The KCV-III was a relatively compact 2+2 with a steel folding roof, which came across as light and dynamic. It had headlights on which even Peugeot could become jealous at the time and the grille reminds us of that of the Subaru Tribeca. The interior, in which minimalism and a classical character reigned supreme, could count on admiration, just like the exuberant glass roof.
Kia Kue Concept
We fast forward to the year 2007, because after a few more conservatively designed concept cars, Kia again came up with a creative excess. With its body shape, the Kue Concept would not look out of place at a car show today, because it was not easy to catch. Kia spoke of a CUV, or a ‘Crossover Utility Vehicle’. We would hear the first of those three terms much more often later on. Incidentally, such a thing was not yet combined with very progressive forms of drive: in the Kue Concept was a 4.6-liter supercharged V8 with an output of 400 hp. Ultimately, the Sportage in particular would take over many style elements from this study model.
Kia Kee Concept
In the same year as the Kue Concept, Kia showed the almost eponymous Kee Concept. However, it showed a very different part of Kia’s future. After all, it was a sporty coupe. At least, actually it was more of a hatchback when you saw the tailgate. Its designer, Peter Schreyer, had the necessary experience in this area. After all, he was also one of the founders of the Audi TT. Kia seemed to go the same way with the Kee Concept. “We could also have designed a supercar, but that would not be realistic for Kia. An affordable, exciting coupé suits our brand much better,” said Schreyer at the time. However, Kia’s ‘TT’ did not appear in the end. A missed opportunity?
Kia Naimo Concept
Finally, we go back to the year 2011. Then Kia presented us with the Naimo Concept. A study model with a high level of cuddliness. The fact that it appeared only ten years ago is also apparent from a number of spearheads of the Naimo Concept. It was a crossover and a fully electric one too. Only the range betrays that it has secretly been a while, which amounted to 200 km. We wrote about it at the time: “The Naimo will be part of Kia’s growing test fleet of hybrid, electric and fuel cell vehicles, which will undergo extensive testing under varied conditions. The test program aims to develop future production models with zero or significantly reduced emissions.” This completes the circle again, because the Kia Concept EV9 presented this week is one of the examples of where Kia has now arrived in the electrical field.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl