Kia to unveil the concept EV9 and The New Seltos for the first time at the Busan Motor Show
At the press release event of the '2022 Busan International Motor Show (hereinafter referred to as the Busan Motor Show)', which opened at BEXCO in Busan on the 14th, Kia unveiled the concept EV9 and The New Seltos, reflecting the brand design philosophy 'Opposites United'. disclosed.
In addition, he introduced a new project to restore domestic tidal flat vegetation and expressed the will of our society for sustainable development.
Kia plans to inform visitors about 'Kia Mobility in Progress' by organizing an exhibition hall under the themes of technology, design, and customer experience by the 24th and displaying vehicles and sculptures suitable for each theme. .
Hyuk-ho Kwon, head of Kia’s domestic business division, said at a press event that day, “Kia is operating its business with a focus on sustainability in order to realize the brand’s reason for existence: ‘to create a space and time for new ideas to begin’ for customers.” “By 27, we will establish a global lineup of 14 EV models and take the lead in creating a sustainable planet by considering the entire process from vehicle production to sales.”
Concept EV9 & The New Seltos
At the Busan Motor Show, Kia unveiled the concept EV9 for the first time in Korea and The New Seltos for the first time in the world.
The Concept EV9 is a concept car that heralds Kia's second dedicated electric vehicle model based on E-GMP, and The New Seltos is a product improvement model of Seltos that will be introduced for the first time in three years since its launch in July 2019.
Offered United, unveiled by Kia last year, represents a creative fusion of opposing concepts.
It aims for a close fusion beyond the fragmentary combination of opposing concepts. The methods of fusion are 'Joy for Reason', 'Innovative attempt toward the future (Power to Progress)', 'Technology for human life' (Technology for Life)', 'Tension for Serenity', and 'Bold for Nature' are defined by five axes.
The concept EV9, which gives a preview of the design of Kia's flagship electric SUV, was designed with inspiration from Offergit United's 'boldness in harmony with nature'.
The interior is designed in the form of a lounge and decorated with cutting-edge specifications such as a '27-inch ultra-wide display', a 'pop-up steering wheel', and a 'panoramic sky roof'.
In particular, the concept EV9 based on the element of 'water' uses exterior colors reminiscent of the vast ocean, flooring materials made from recycled fishing nets, and fabrics made from recycled plastic bottles.
Kia applied a futuristic sensibility design to the exterior of The New Seltos while inheriting the dynamic image of the existing Seltos.
The interior is equipped with convenient features such as a 'panoramic display' that connects a 10.25-inch cluster and a 10.25-inch infotainment system screen, an integrated controller, and an electronic shift dial (SBW).
Kia plans to unveil the main specifications of The New Seltos this month and start selling it in earnest.
Participation in the tidal flat vegetation restoration project following support for renewable energy conversion and sea purification activities
In addition, Kia announced that it will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries in the second half of this year to protect the marine ecosystem and respond to climate change, and will support domestic tidal flat vegetation restoration projects and related research for about three years.
The absorption of carbon by marine ecosystems such as the sea and tidal flats is called ‘blue carbon’. Since the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) officially recognized it as a means of reducing greenhouse gas in 2013, many countries have been increasing research and investment in blue carbon.
The domestic tidal flats of about 2,480 km2 are large enough to be counted as one of the world's five largest tidal flats, and absorb about 490,000 tons of carbon dioxide in one year, which is the same amount emitted by about 200,000 internal combustion locomotives. [Source: Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries]
Kia plans to promote planting activities to strengthen the carbon absorption capacity of tidal flats, measure changes in marine ecosystems and carbon absorption effects, and inform the international community of the ecological potential and climate change response capabilities of domestic tidal flats.
In addition, the company plans to take the lead in creating a sustainable future through various activities such as collecting vinyl for new car protection and reinventing it into vehicle products in collaboration with an up-cycling artist.
Meanwhile, in November of last year, Kia announced its corporate vision “Sustainable Mobility Solutions Provider” to contribute to the development of customers, communities and global society through sustainable mobility solutions. '2045 Carbon Neutrality' was proposed.
Next, in April of this year, it completed the registration of the ‘RE100 Initiative’ to convert 100% of the electricity used in business sites around the world to renewable energy by 2040.
In the same month, it signed a partnership with the Dutch non-profit organization Ocean Cleanup, which develops and researches technologies to remove marine plastics and garbage, to support sea and river purification activities and to review the recycling of collected plastics.
Busan Motor Show Exhibition Hall
At this motor show, Kia will introduce 'Kia's Technology in Progress', which shows the development process and future direction of electrification that Kia pursues, and 'Progress,' which introduces the design direction created with its vision as a mobility company. ‘Kia’s Design in Progress’ and ‘Kia’s Customer Experience in Progress’, an exhibition/experience space that reflects customer interests Kia Mobility in Progress).
In the technology exhibition space, the concept EV9, K8 hybrid, Niro EV, and EV6 GT will be exhibited so that the development process of Kia's electrification can be seen at a glance from hybrid models to dedicated electric models.
A large LED screen is installed behind the Concept EV9 to transmit a video that symbolizes 'daring in harmony with nature', and natural objects such as water and stones are placed on the floor on either side of the vehicle to intuitively convey the image that inspired the design of the Concept EV9 to visitors. .
In addition, Kia exhibited the actual vehicle so that visitors can freely view the interior and exterior design of the EV6 GT, and prepared content to indirectly experience the fast acceleration of the EV6, such as 3.5 seconds to zero.
The design exhibition space consists of two areas: an exhibition that visualizes Kia's design philosophy Offergit United and the five axes that make up it so that customers can access and understand it more easily, and an offline base that reflects Offergit United.
The offline base is the 'Exhibition Zone', which reflects Offergit United and uses achromatic colors to create a futuristic feel, and the 'Customer Zone' with a warm feeling by adding natural sensibility based on wood tones.
While Kia exhibits The New Seltos in the exhibition zone, the customer zone introduces Kia Members/EV Members, sells vehicle products, and conducts various giveaways.
In addition, a QR code that links to the quiz site has been placed so that visitors can more easily understand Offergit United through Q&A.
Various attractions and experience events for future customers will be prepared in the customer experience space.
At this motor show, Kia exhibited the ‘Ray single-seater van’ launched in February of this year and ‘Niro Plus’, a derivative PBV that secured differentiated space based on the first-generation Niro, to show various uses for each purpose.
In addition, ‘Make your own PBV’, an experiential content that allows you to experience the exclusive PBV to be released in the future, will be prepared, providing visitors with an opportunity to show their imagination.
In the Sportage Hybrid exhibition space, Kia operates a 'Playground' with slides and swings that can be seen in real playgrounds. In addition, it plans to hold various events for visitors in collaboration with ‘Noted’, a premium dessert cafe that is receiving a lot of attention from the MZ generation.