Kia EV7 full size electric SUV set to be Korean brand's flagship; due in 2024
A rendering of Kia’s EV7. Image: Motor1.com
Kia’s purpose-built electric vehicle range will officially launch with the eagerly anticipated EV6, set for northern hemisphere market introduction early in 2022. The automaker plans to grow EV sales over the coming decade to 880,000 units in 2030, positioning itself as a big player in the zero-emissions passenger vehicle market.
Kia’s EV7 spied testing. Image: Motor.es
Prototypes of Kia’s largest vehicle, currently dubbed the EV7, have been spotted testing across the world, and by all accounts, it is a large vehicle with a design language that is unique to the brand. Judging by the below spy photo, we can expect a high-set full-length rear lightbar (similar to its EV6 sibling), but other clues hint at a more geometric and angular design.
Motor1 has rendered what it believes the EV7 will look like, taking current styling cues such as the headlights from the EV6, and working off what body lines are visibly under the camouflage. The result is a rather Range Rover-like full-size SUV, certain to be popular with North American and South East Asian consumers.
A concept rendering of Hyundai’s EV range; from L to R, the IONIQ 6, IONIQ 7 and Project 45 (IONIQ 5). Image: Hyundai
For its part, Hyundai will also build a full-size EV7 equivalent, likely to be dubbed the IONIQ 7. Little is known about this vehicle at this stage, however, the Korean Times has reported the vehicle will likely go on sale in 2023, and will utilise battery backs from South Korean cell manufacturer SK Innovation.
Speaking at the IONIQ 5 launch, Hyundai America President and CEO José Muñoz confirmed the existence of the IONIQ 7, its three-row occupancy, and a market introduction of 2024 in North America. “We will follow the exciting Ioniq 5 compact CUV with the stunning Ioniq 6 mid-size sedan next year and the Ioniq 7 three-row mid-size SUV in 2024, and that is just the beginning. Hyundai will introduce 23 battery-electric vehicles worldwide by 2025.”
Source: Motor1.com