EV9 is the first electric model to be introduced in the three-row SUV market

According to the industry on the 2nd, Car & Driver, a leading U.S. automotive magazine, said, “Three-row SUVs such as Kia Telluride are popular enough to sell hundreds of thousands of units a year in the U.S.,” adding, “EV9 is the first electric model to be introduced in the three-row SUV market, so the debut of EV9 is particularly important.”

Tesla, Volvo, Rivian, and Mercedes have developed electric SUVs with three-row seats, but they are still in the pre-market stage or three-row options are not basic specifications.

Although there are three-row electric SUVs such as Tesla and Rivian, EV9 is actually the mainstream car brand’s first large electric SUV model, the U.S. magazine Motor Trend said. “The newly unveiled EV9 is fantastic.”
The spacious interior space utilizing the advantages of Hyundai Motor Group’s electric vehicle platform E-GMP was also well received

Electrifying, a media platform specializing in electric vehicles, said, “The EV9’s state-of-the-art technology such as wireless updates is good, but the most eye-catching part is the carefully designed interior,” adding, “The wide interior space and ample storage space stand out, which proved that moving from the back seat can be a ‘first-class experience’.”

After the government certification of EV92WD (rear wheel drive) and 4WD (four-wheel drive) models is completed during the second quarter, EV9 will disclose the distance available for one charge and detailed specifications for each trim, and will proceed with pre-contracting in Korea first. EV9 real cars will also be available at the 2023 Seoul Mobility Show, which will be held at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, until the 9th.

“At last, the era of large electric SUVs has arrived,” The Drive said. “Kia has challenged the new electric vehicle market through the launch of the versatile EV9.

Overseas media also showed interest in the EV9’s body size. Based on Kia’s own measurements, EV9 has a total length of 5,10mm, a total width of 1,980mm, a total height of 1,755mm, and a wheelbase (inter-axis distance) of 3,100mm.
The EV9 is Kia’s second electrified model, built on the EV6 platform E-GMP, which was dedicated to electric vehicles, after the EV6 launched in 2021.

Kia posted the EV9 World Premiere video on its global brand website on the previous day, and introduced its real car for the first time on the day. Ordinary visitors can see the EV9 from July 31 when the Seoul Mobility Show officially opens.

“EV9 is the first large SUV EV in Korea with both innovative technology and spatiality,” said Karim Habib, vice president of Kia Design Center. “It will provide a new driving experience that will completely change the concept and method of movement.”

The front part of the EV9 has implemented a future-oriented image through a digital pattern lighting grill and small cube projection LED headlamps, Kia explained.

The second row was the first global electric vehicle model to allow customers to choose four seats, including a bench seat and an independent seat, and a panoramic wide display connected to three displays was installed indoors.

The EV9 GT-line is equipped with a wireless software update system that can keep various functions of the vehicle up-to-date, such as highway autonomous driving (HDP) and navigation maps, which are advanced driving assistance functions.

Kia Motors included EV9 and all other exhibition vehicles at the Seoul Mobility Show with electric vehicles only. Visitors can browse the EV9 exhibition in a specialized space.

The “EV9 Hero Stage” created an environment where you can focus on EV9 through a modern space design, and “EV9 Island” is designed to allow you to appreciate EV9’s design in a future-oriented space decorated with mirrors and LEDs.

The EV6 general model and GT-line were on display in the EV6 zone, while the Dior New Niro EV and Niro Plus taxi vehicles were on display in the Niro zone. The Dior New Niro EV is the second-generation model launched last year, following the first-generation Niro EV in 2018.

Kia collaborated with Kakao Friends at the Seoul Mobility Show to create a “Family Communication Zone” with photo zones and also runs a cafe where you can watch cars while drinking coffee in partnership with domestic coffee brand Teraro.

For customers who cannot come to the Seoul Mobility Show in person, it will also operate a Kia exhibition hall and a digital showroom where they can experience EV9.

“The battlefield, which is close to 5m, looks simply huge,” British magazine Car said. “The battlefield, which is 200mm longer than Sorento, is similar to the range Rover.”

Driving performance is also one of the main concerns.

German media outlet Auto Motown Spot highlighted the EV9’s power performance, saying, “With the ‘Boost’ option, it implements a maximum torque of 700 Nm and reaches 100km/h in 5.3 seconds.”

Mercedes-Benz Korea held a press conference for the 2020 New Year

Currently, Mercedes-Benz was launched in 2016. A facelift version is expected to be released in 2020.

Genesis brand, which has fallen behind Mercedes-Benz for the third consecutive year in the domestic luxury car sector, has taken the lead in GV80 this year

Attention is focusing on whether Genesis will regain its self-esteem. The industry is concerned that Genesis will introduce new G70, G80, and GV70s in addition to GV80

It is expected that there will be enough chasing factors as it is planning, but some predict that Mercedes-Benz’s stronghold will not be easily shaken.

According to Hyundai Motor on the 16th, Genesis, which was launched as an independent brand in 2015, sold 66,278 units in 2016 and 56,616 units in 2017,

It sold 61,345 units in 2018 and 56,801 units last year, down 7.4% year-on-year. It grew steadily during the same period

Mercedes-Benz, which has continued to deliver 68,861 units in 2017, exceeded Genesis sales for the first time in 2018 and 2019

It has been leading Genesis for three consecutive years as it has recorded more than 70,000 units in succession.
In addition to the GV80, the company has added the C-segment SUV GV70 this year to increase its SUV lineup and make partial changes to the G80 and G70

It will be introduced in the market. It has a grand plan to complete the so-called “luxury cycle” of its brand lineup.

Mercedes-Benz Korea held a press conference for the 2020 New Year at the ‘EQ Future’ exhibition hall located in Garosu-gil, Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul on the 14th. Dimitris Silakis, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Korea (fourth from the right), said there will be no reduction in manpower in Korea./Photo by reporter Lee Mi-kyung

Mercedes-Benz, which has announced a reduction in personnel in the global market to prepare for the eco-friendly car era, is expected to reduce the number of employees in Korea

It has decided not to reduce the number of Mercedes vehicles in Korea. Rather, Mercedes-Benz’s share is increasing in Korea and needs to be increased to improve its service

It’s a position.

Mercedes-Benz Korea held the 2020 EQ Future exhibition hall in Garosu-gil, Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul on the 14th

He held a press conference for the New Year. Dimitris Silakis, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Korea, said, “Reducing the workforce in Korea is not easy

I said flatly that there wouldn’t be one.

CEO Silakis said, “Korea is operating in an efficient system, so there are no plans to cut jobs,” adding, “On the contrary, it is rather high.”

We will continue to maintain consumer satisfaction and increase human investment to increase collaboration,” he explained.

Mercedes-Benz Korea shipped a record 76,471 units last year, surpassing GM Korea’s annual sales.

This year, it will release nine completely changed models and six partially changed models, aiming for more than 80,000 units. Fifteen new cars

Among them, four SUVs were included, and above all, the partial change of the main E-class was at the forefront, and the pursuit of competing brands was carried out

The plan is to cut off the source.

An official from the finished car industry said, “While Bentz is threatening the domestic finished car industry by surpassing GM Korea’s sales last year

“Whether Genesis will rebound from domestic demand this year is a key point to gauge its global competitiveness in North America and Europe in the future.”

However, in addition to the good performance of SUV lineup such as GV80, Mercedes will be able to be checked according to the success or failure of the new G80, the main sedan

I said.

This is the official teaser photo of me walking around Las Vegas with a camouflage covering. The front and rear are expected to change slightly, and the AMG model softens its lower front shape.

The lack of lineup is one of the main reasons that Genesis lost to Mercedes in the home competition. Until last year, the G70 and G80,

While Mercedes is equipped with only three types of sedans, including the G90, Mercedes-Benz sells sedans and SUVs that range from small cars to large vehicles.

In addition, unlike the E-Class, a volume product, which recorded nearly 40,000 units (39,782 units) last year, it is a competitive car in Genesis

The G80, which is being pushed, sold only 22,284 units, recorded negative growth of nearly 40.1% year-on-year.

Genesis aims to become the No. 1 premium passenger sales in Korea beyond Mercedes by introducing a total of four new cars, starting with the GV80, this year.

In fact, at the GV80 launch event held on the 15th, Jang Jae-hoon, head of Hyundai Motor’s sales division, set the GV80’s sales target for this year at 24,000 units

It also announced a massive plan to focus on large-scale marketing.

New steering wheels and MBUX will be applied to the interior. The digital display is equipped with functions such as energizing comfort control, air quality display, and Mercedes-Benz Urban Guard.

Powertrain options have not yet been announced in detail, but at least seven plug-in hybrid models will be included in the E-Class lineup. Two new engines will also be added, a 268-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder mild hybrid engine with an integrated starter motor-generator. The M 256 3.0-liter series six-cylinder engine, which exerts 362 horsepower, will also be equipped with an integrated starter-generator.

It is not known when the E-Class will be released. It will first hit the European market this summer and then the global market.

The Mercedes-AMG Petronas team, along with British driver Lewis

A source said Daimler, Mercedes Benz’s parent company, would discuss whether to continue the race at its next board meeting, a decision that would not be taken lightly, according to foreign media outlet AutoCar. The Mercedes-AMG Petronas team, along with British driver Lewis Hamilton, have won all constructors and drivers’ championships since 2014. Winning the title for the 2020 season, which starts in Australia on March 15, would mark its seventh consecutive win.

Fame and prize money are a temptation to resist, but the cost of racing has become a growing concern for Mercedes-Benz. Daimler issued three profitability warnings in 2019, warning investors that its annual profit fell by about 50 percent to 5.6 billion euros (W7.3 trillion). It has also cut more than 1,100 managerial jobs and frozen wages, while investing huge amounts of money in developing technologies for electric and self-driving cars. Ola Callenius, Daimler’s CEO, summed up, “We need to cut costs.”

Mercedes knows it will have to spend a lot of money to stay competitive while adhering to the new Formula One rules that will take effect in 2021. Ironically, the new rules are envisioned as a way to make racing more competitive and affordable by limiting the amount available to teams. Rival Ferrari have also repeatedly threatened to quit the race over the new rules.

Compared to the current S-Class, the vehicle in this photo appears to have a relatively flat side without a character line. The chrome-finished door handle appears to be inside the door.

It is not known what functions will be included in the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class, but it is expected to be equipped with embedded door handles, full digital instrument panels, vertical infotainment touch screens, and level 3 autonomous driving functions.

Rumors have it that the new S-Class will feature only a hybrid powertrain in a six-cylinder engine with a 3.0-liter gasoline and 2.9-liter diesel. The plug-in hybrid model is expected to have an electric mileage of about 100 km. The fully electric model is expected to be launched as the “EQ S,” and the mileage is not yet known.

It makes sense to leave Formula One in this situation, but Mercedes is unlikely to completely cut ties with Formula One. AutoCar said it would likely maintain engine supply, one of its lucrative businesses, adding that Toto Wolff, who leads the team, may seek new investors and buy the team to continue racing. Toto Wolff already has a 30% stake in the team.

Toto Wolff has reportedly asked Lawrence Stroll to help with the acquisition. Lawrence Stroll, a Canadian billionaire, owns a Formula One team, and an earlier article claimed he was preparing to buy a stake in Aston Martin. Geely Motors, a Chinese company that owns Volvo, Polestar, London Taxi Company, Lotus, 6.69 percent stake in Daimler and a half stake in Smart, are also expected to join the deal.

What Happens to Lewis Hamilton? An article on Formula One’s official site says Hamilton will race in Ferrari for the 2021 season. Ferrari, the famous Italian racing team, has not won a championship since 2008. A contract with Hamilton, F1’s best driver, would significantly increase his chances of claiming the top spot on the podium. If that happens, Hamilton will replace Sebastian Vettel.

None of this is official. The parties declined to comment, so they will have to wait for Daimler’s next board meeting in early February to see exactly what happens.

Porsche didn’t have a smooth ride either

The race started at 3 p.m. local time on Wednesday, marking the 85th anniversary of Le Mans 24 Hours. Timo Bernhardt (Germany), Earl Bamber (New Zealand), and Brandon Hartley (New Zealand), who climbed into the second car (Porsche 919 Hybrid) of LMP1, the top class of the race, ran 367 times over the 13.629-kilometer circuit.

Porsche announced on the 11th that it will seek its third consecutive victory in the 85th Le Mans 24:00 Endurance Race on the 17th (local time) with the 919 Hybrid and the new 911 RSR.

The competition will start at 3 p.m. on Thursday (local time in France) and bring together 60 race cars and 180 racers. Porsche will bring together a total of 10 race cars and 14 racers, including two 919 hybrids and the new 911 RSR that will participate in the LMP1 class.

The 919 Hybrid focuses on aerodynamics, power performance and driving performance, improving 60-70 percent of its components. The dynamometer is equipped with a four-cylinder 2.0-liter turbocharger engine that exerts up to 500 horsepower and two energy regeneration systems, generating a total of 900 horsepower (662 kW). The first car will be carried by Neil Yanni (Switzerland), Andre Rotterrer (Germany), and Nick Tandy (U.K.), while the second car will be carried by Earl Bamber (New Zealand), Timo Bernhardt (Germany), and Brandon Hartley (New Zealand).

The new 911 RSR debuted at the 24:00 Daytona Classic in January. Porsche Motorsports tuned engines, transmissions, chassis and more based on the 7th generation 911, and delivers up to 510 horsepower. Downforce levels and aerodynamic efficiencies have been improved thanks to the wide rear diffuser coupled with the top-mounted rear wing. Richard Rietz (Austria), Frederick Makowiki (France), and Patrick Pille (France) will be in the 911 RSR No. 1, while Michael Christensen (Denmark), Kevin Ester (France), and Dirk Werner (Germany) will be in the No. 2.

Meanwhile, the 24 hour Le Mans is a race in which the car with the highest number of wheels wins in 24 hours. Three drivers take turns driving one car, and the race car runs about 5,000 km at an average speed of 250 km. Porsche has a record of 18 overall wins and 105 class wins.

The race was dominated by Toyota’s Gaju Racing Team, which lost in a landslide last year. Among the three cars, Cars 7 and 8 that started in pole position maintained the lead. However, the No. 7 gave up the lead due to clutch issues right after the SC situation, and finished the race at 154 laps due to accident following tire punch. The No. 8 car also pitted in more than a motor, but was never able to run again. Toyota’s No. 9 car also closed at 160 laps.

Porsche didn’t have a smooth ride either. The first car, which was competing with Toyota for the lead, stopped four hours before the end, and the second car started the race as a pit-in due to trouble. However, he constantly adjusted to the race and surpassed 38th car of the LMP2 class, which was leading the overall race two hours before the end of the race, to rank No. 1 overall. With the victory, Porsche has won three consecutive Le Mans titles and 19 times.

The LMP2 class was won by Jackie Chan (Car No. 38) who ran 366 laps and ranked second overall. The Aston Martin Racing Team (Car No. 97) won the GTE Pro class with 340 laps, and the JMW Motorsports with 333 laps won the GTE AM class.

Meanwhile, the 24 hour Le Mans is a race in which the car with the highest number of wheels wins in 24 hours. Three drivers take turns driving one car. The race car runs about 5,000 km at an average speed of more than 240 km per hour. The maximum speed of a straight section is more than 340 km per hour

Porsche sales and services in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province

Porsche Korea announced on the 18th that it will recruit investors to select an official new seller to be in charge of Porsche sales and services in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province.

According to Porsche Korea, Suwon is an area where the demand for premium brands with a population of 1.3 million is increasing, and is considered an important base in the service reinforcement strategy. Businesses that apply for the recruitment of this seller must combine experience in Porsche brand, luxury imported car sales, and service with expert understanding. In addition, they should be able to develop, invest and operate service centers equipped with exhibition halls and sheet metal painting facilities. The deadline for application is August 18, and you can submit the requested documents such as application forms by e-mail (dealer-application@porsche.co.kr ). Inquiries related to application can be found on Porsche Korea’s website.

Porsche announced on the 2nd that it has unveiled its new ‘911 GT2 RS’ at the Goodwood Festival in the UK.

The new model is a high-performance sports car based on Porsche Motor Sports technology, which is the fastest and most powerful in the 911 lineup. In particular, it further improves cornering speed through the chassis, rear axle steering, and ultra-high performance (UHP) tires developed for racing.

The exterior is equipped with air inlets, outlets and magnificent rear wings to achieve optimal aerodynamics in terms of shape and design of the vehicle body. It is equipped with Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB), and carbon fiber reinforced plastic is applied throughout the vehicle body, and the bonnet is made of magnesium, contributing to weight reduction.
Porsche Korea announced on the 27th that it will provide a free summer inspection service.

The free inspection will be held at eight Porsche center workshops nationwide until July 21 for all Porsche products. During the campaign, you can receive precision diagnosis services using Porsche Integrated Work-shop Information System (PIWIS) testers, which are Porsche’s advanced equipment.

It provides a leak diagnosis as well as the condition and replacement of all oil such as engines, brakes, missions, power steering and washer fluids, and can receive a 10% discount on regular check-up parts and wages essential for safe operation such as wear and damage to tires and brake system parts.

In addition, when repairing related systems in summer, such as air conditioning systems, air conditioning filters, radiators, and pen belts, 10% off each for parts and labor costs is provided. In addition, various Porsche driver selections for motorsports and lifestyle, such as hats and golf bags, are available at a 10% discount.

The interior is made of carbon-weave-finished interior parts, and the full bucket seat is made of Alcantara leather. The Porsche Communication Management (PCM) provides control of audio and navigation, a Connect Plus module, a detailed display through a smartphone, and a Porsche Track Precision app that enables automatic recording and analysis of driving.

The engine has a 3.8-liter bi-turbo horizontal direction, producing a maximum of 700 horsepower and a maximum of 75.4 kgm. Combined with the seven-speed Porsche Double Clutch (PDK) exclusively manufactured for GT, it accelerates to 100 km/h in a stopped state, with a maximum speed of 340 km/h in 2.8 seconds.

Porsche Design introduced the 911 GT2 RS Chronograph wristwatch for the new owner. The Movement Caliber 01.200 includes a movement bridge optimized with a flyback function and a road pass structure, and comes with a certificate of authenticity from the official chronometer certification authority (COSC). The watch’s exterior is made of ultra-light titanium.

The 911 GT2 RS will be released in Germany and will start at 285,220 euros (W370 million). The Chronograph will be sold at 9,450 euros (W12.3 million).

“This recruitment of vendors will serve as a bridgehead for aggressive sales network expansion plans as part of Porsche’s ‘Strategy 2025’,” said Michael Kirsch, CEO of Porsche Korea. “We look forward to working with vendors who will increase their brand status in Korea and share value-oriented growth.”

Meanwhile, Porsche Korea currently operates four vendors, 10 exhibition halls, one certified used car store, and eight service centers. In May, Yongsan Sports Automobile was selected as the new seller, and the service center in Daechi-dong will be added within the second half of the year, including the Porsche Center Yongsan, which reflects Porsche’s digitalization strategy.