Kia UK is proud to return to Grand Designs Live as Automotive Sponsor for the Grand Designs Live Birmingham event this October. As automotive sponsor and the only automotive brand attending the show, Kia will showcase its multi award-winning fully electric cars, the EV9 and new EV6.

Grand Designs Live show visitors will get the chance to explore two of Kia UK’s most popular and impressive fully electric cars, with specialists on-hand to answer questions and offer advice on EV living.

The fully electric EV9 and new EV6 will be on display at the Kia stand Z20, with an additional EV9 available to explore at the Grand House.

The Kia EV9

The Kia EV9 is a fully electric SUV designed and built for modern lifestyles in the electrified era. As the company’s first three-row electric flagship SUV, the spacious, and striking EV9 is a rugged, sophisticated, and technologically advanced electric vehicle.

Available as a six- or seven-seater, it combines bold styling, premium versatility, and multifaceted connectivity to deliver a vehicle that’s ready for anything, with a driving range of up to 349 miles*.

In its transformation to become a sustainable mobility solutions provider, Kia has defined a design sustainability strategy to integrate more eco-friendly materials into its cars. The strategy encompasses phasing out animal-based leathers, applying ten sustainability ‘must- haves’ in its vehicle interiors, and continuously innovating with new bio-based materials.

The Kia EV9 represents the first stage in this journey, with eco-friendly interior materials such as a leather alternative made of Bio-Polyurethane, which is partially derived from corn. In addition, recycled PET (polyethene terephthalate) and TPO (thermoplastic olefin) are integrated into the dashboard and the door and pillar trim. For the interior, the EV9 is designed with recycled plastics from post-consumer waste. The fabric and carpets are made from recycled PET as well as recycled fishing nets, and create a cosy, premium feeling. The switches and trim features bio paint, while the interior trims use BTX-free paint. The yarn and felt throughout the vehicle are made from 100% recycled PET.

The new Kia EV6

The new EV6 brings a refreshed exterior design, with striking and dynamic aesthetic, improved battery performance and a broader range of convenience features.

Exclusively electric, the new EV6 is available in three well-equipped trim grades each powered by a new 84.0kWh battery (8.5% larger than the previous generation), which boasts an extended range of up to 361 miles on a single charge, according to WLTP testing.

Embracing the concept of 'Modern Contrast', the new EV6 showcases Kia's fresh new family look. The front of the car now incorporates sleek daytime running lights (DRLs) that feature Kia’s innovative Star Map signature lighting, giving the car a futuristic and sporty look.

The overall aesthetic is further raised by the flowing character line that seamlessly connects the hood to the lower section of the vehicle, as well as the captivating wing-shaped bumper design, which adds an additional element of dynamism.

The EV6 was the first dedicated electric vehicle introduced by Kia, and notably the first Korean car to win the European Car of the Year title in 2022. The sleek and modern EV6 was also the first Kia to feature the brand’s then-new signature ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy.

Kia award-winning design

Kia unveiled its revolutionary new design philosophy ‘Opposites United’ in 2021. The design philosophy harnesses three energies – tension, harmony, and dynamism – to create fresh perspectives and develop new ideas inspired by the contradicting forces experienced in daily life.

Among Kia’s new vehicles that have recently been honoured for their excellent design, the EV9 won two of the top three automobile awards, including ‘World Car of the Year 2024’ and ‘UK Car of the Year 2024’ awards. Kia also won the iF Design Awards with EV9 taking prestigious Gold and most recently, the EV9 won the 2024 Car Design Award, announced during this year’s Milan Design Week (15-21 April).

More sustainable, by design

Kia is continuing its journey to becoming a sustainable mobility solutions provider. Using more sustainable elements within its products, the brand’s latest models increasingly feature the use of plant-based components, recycled PET and discarded fishing nets in the production of fabrics and carpets.

As a further step towards achieving the brand’s aim of carbon neutrality across its operations by 2045, Kia’s overarching Design Sustainability Strategy aims to accomplish sustainability at scale.

The first action was to commit to completely phasing out the use of leather in all new products. The second, is for Kia to integrate its 10 must-have sustainability items into its new model lines, starting with the EV9. These include bioplastics; post-consumer material (PCM) plastic; Bio PU; recycled PET carpet; Bio PU foam; Bio paint; BTX-free paint; recycled PET yarn; and recycled PET felt.

In addition, as part of its advanced efforts, Kia continues to invest in testing and development programs to accelerate the implementation of bio-fabrication, underscoring its dedication to advancing sustainable technologies.

Since the establishment of Kia’s partnership in 2022 with The Ocean Cleanup, over one million pounds (lbs) of plastic or approximately 0.5% has been removed from the world’s largest accumulation of floating waste – the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) – which has an estimated surface area of 1.6 million square kilometres. As part of the collaborative vision to create a circular resource system for ocean plastic, Kia and The Ocean Cleanup have been working together to find new ways of turning plastic waste extracted from the GPGP into durable, useful products. The first item from this initiative is a car accessory for the Kia EV3, launching later this year.