KIA EV9: SUSTAINABLE STYLE
Kia has unveiled the details of its first three-row seat electric flagship EUV, the Kia EV9, which will be available for pre-order in the second quarter of 2023 for the Korean market.
The EV9 boasts an all-electric range of over 541 km (WLTP) and ultra-fast 800-volt charging capability, which allows for 239 km of range to be added in approximately 15 minutes.
A choice of electric powertrain configurations includes a 76.1 kWh battery in the Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) Standard model, while a 99.8 kWh battery is fitted in both the RWD Long Range and All Wheel Drive (AWD) variants.
The RWD Long Range model utilises a 150 kW / 350 Nm electric motor, endowing the SUV with the ability to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 9.4 seconds. Also powered by a single electric motor, albeit a more powerful 160 kW / 350 Nm variant, the Standard RWD EV9 can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 8.2 seconds. The AWD variant is equipped with two electric motors that together unleash a total power output of 283 kW and a combined torque of 600 Nm. This potent combination enables the SUV to surge from zero to 100 km/h in just 6,0 seconds. An optional Boost feature is available for later purchase via the Kia Connect Store.
The Kia EV9 also features numerous technological highlights, including the Highway Driving Pilot system, available in the Kia EV9 GT-line in the future, and the Kia Connect Store, which enables customers to purchase digital features and services on demand.
The EV9 also comes with Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality, enabling the discharging of energy from the vehicle battery. Families can use up to 3.68 kW of power for laptops or camping equipment.
INEOS TO DEVELOP ELECTRIC 4X4
INEOS Automotive, the British company best known for its ground-breaking Grenadier (see our article in this edition), has teamed up with industry-leading automotive supplier Magna, to develop a brand new electric 4×4 vehicle, set to be released in 2026.
According to INEOS, this new 4×4 zero-emission vehicle will be smaller than the Grenadier but still pack a punch with its world-class off-road capabilities, without compromising on-road comfort or performance.
Magna, who worked with INEOS on the Grenadier station wagon and pickup models, is a good fit for this new venture that will see production of the new 4×4 start at their facility in Graz, Austria, in 2026. Before that, however, the new vehicle will undergo a rigorous testing program on Austria’s Schöckl mountain, close to Magna’s complete vehicle assembly facility.
This new electric 4×4, with its impressive off-road capabilities and eco-friendly design, could serve a niche market for those seeking adventure and sustainability.
FASTER, STRONGER, ELECTRIC RAM
Ram Truck has debuted the all-new, all-electric 2025 Ram 1500 REV at the New York International Auto Show, marking the brand’s first battery-electric light-duty pickup truck.
The 2025 Ram 1500 REV will offer two all-electric options: a standard 168 kWh battery pack with a targeted range of over 550 km and an optional 229 kWh large battery pack with a targeted range of up to 800 km. Both options can add up to 180 km of range in approximately 10 minutes with 800-volt DC fast charging at up to 350 kW, offering customers quick and convenient charging solutions.
The Ram 1500 REV boasts the flexibility of vehicle-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-home, and vehicle-to-grid bi-directional charging. Additionally, an onboard power panel in the bed can provide up to 7.2 kW, while an available onboard power panel in the front trunk (frunk) provides up to 3.6 kW.
Other targeted performance figures include a 0-100 km/h time of 4.4 seconds, 487 kW, and 840 Nm of torque. The vehicle can ford up to 60 cm of water, tow up to 6,350 kg, and has a maximum payload capacity of 1,225 kg.
POLESTAR 4 AT SHANGHAI AUTO SHOW
Polestar introduces Polestar 4, an electric performance SUV coupé and the second SUV in the brand’s line-up at the Shanghai Auto Show in April, bringing design cues first seen on Polestar’s concept cars to production.
Positioned between Polestar 2 and Polestar 3 in terms of size and price, Polestar 4 ditches the rear window in favour of a rear-view camera, which enables a new kind of immersive rear occupant experience. Aerodynamic efficiency is enhanced by the low nose, retractable door handles, flush glazing with frameless windows, rear aero blades, and airflow optimisation around the rear light bar.
Polestar 4 is the fastest production car the brand has developed to date. Its zero to 100 km/h sprint can be completed in just 3.8 seconds, and maximum power output is 400 kW in long-range (dual motor) versions fitted with a 102 kWh battery for a preliminary range target of 560 km (WLTP). The Long-range Single motor version features a 200 kW and 343 Nm motor at the rear and a preliminary range target of up to 600 km (WLTP).
