Genesis X and N Vision 74 Also Draw Attention
Kia's electric mid-to-large sports utility vehicle (SUV) EV9 production model is receiving renewed attention as it is evaluated to be very similar to the concept car unveiled last year.
According to the industry on the 4th, Kia posted several photos comparing the production car and the concept car on social networking services (SNS) the day before. The EV9 appears to have inherited the design of the previously revealed concept car as is.
The digital pattern showcased in the concept car has been implemented exactly in the production model.
The digital pattern lighting grille, which replaces the internal combustion engine grille, is designed in the same color as the body, showing a similarity between the concept car and the production vehicle.
The tail lamp design presented in the concept car is also reflected in the production car.
However, while the concept car had only a curved shape on the rear tail lamp, the production car added a striped pattern.
The side front fender and rear fender also did not deviate much from the concept car design. Points that add toughness to the otherwise plain-looking body were added. The right-angle design and bold lines that properly embody the characteristics of a flagship SUV are also generally reflected in the production car.
Regarding the wheels, the concept car had the Kia emblem centered, but in the production car, it is designed to be shifted to the right. A Kia official hinted that this is an "attempt to break the mold."
The interior of the vehicle shows noticeable changes adapted to reality. First, the yoke steering wheel applied in the concept car was changed to a round one in the production car. Unlike the EV6, a column-type gear knob was applied.
The display is designed to connect the instrument cluster and central display into one long unit, making the difference between the concept car and production car hardly noticeable. Kia equipped the production vehicle with a 'Panoramic Wide Display' that smoothly connects three displays.
Karim Habib, Vice President and Head of Kia Design Center, described the EV9 design as "The bold lines surrounding the EV9 are something rarely seen in other electric vehicles," and introduced it as "Kia's unique sensibility pursued over the past few years." He explained, "We made efforts to ensure that Kia's design philosophy is consistently applied both in the interior and exterior parts."
"If it comes out just like this..." Genesis X also draws attention
On the 30th of last month, the Genesis 'X Convertible' was unveiled at the '2023 Seoul Mobility Show Press Briefing' held at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@
Meanwhile, as the similarity between the concept car and the actual vehicle increases, expectations for Hyundai Kia Motors' 'hit concept cars' are also growing.
Hyundai's luxury brand Genesis unveiled the third model of the 'X Concept Series' and the brand's first convertible concept, the 'X Convertible,' on November 15 last year (local time) in Malibu, California, USA.
Earlier in July, Hyundai's high-performance brand N introduced high-performance concept cars 'RN22e' and 'N Vision 74' targeting the electrification era.
These concept cars sparked explosive reactions online as soon as they were revealed.
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