Leaked internal documents from Kia's Employment Stability Committee have revealed the company's plans to produce an all-new model named EV7, a mid-size electric SUV. This announcement comes as part of Kia's ambitious strategy to expand its electric vehicle portfolio to reach 14 models by 2030.
The New Model's Position in Kia's Lineup
The vehicle is scheduled to be manufactured at Kia's plant in Gwangju, South Korea. According to the leaks, the EV7 will fill the size and technical gap between the current EV6 model and the large three-row EV9 SUV. Its dimensions are expected to be close to the Sorento model, making it a larger option than the current EV5 model.
What is Changing Technically in the EV7?
Technical expectations indicate that Kia may rely on its new electric platform for the EV7, which aims to improve performance and reduce costs. Among the most prominent expected advantages of this platform are:
- Battery Efficiency: An increase in battery capacity of up to 40% with a 15% higher energy density compared to current technologies.
- Performance: A 9% improvement in motor output.
- Charging Speed: Kia is likely to transition to an 800-volt electrical architecture, which will reduce the charging time from 10% to 80% to between 18 and 25 minutes, thereby surpassing the 400-volt architecture used in the EV5 model.
Artificial Intelligence and Software
Kia plans to integrate advanced technologies into its upcoming vehicles, including Hyundai's Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) architecture, the Pleos Connect infotainment system, and the in-vehicle AI assistant, Gleo AI. The new vehicles will also support Level 2++ autonomous driving capabilities on highways.
This move comes at a time when Kia continues to achieve consistent sales growth, as the company focuses on strengthening its presence in global markets by diversifying its options between hybrid and fully electric vehicles, with the goal of having electric vehicles account for 66% of its sales in Europe by 2030.