In a ceremony during #TheIcon event at IFEMA in Madrid, Spain, Tennis icon Rafael Nadal has been presented with the keys to Kia’s flagship EV9 – the brand’s inaugural three-row seat electric SUV.`
Kia’s #TheIcon event created an immersive experience for attendees, seamlessly blending three icons – the Kia EV9, a groundbreaking all-electric SUV; Rafael Nadal, an enduring icon of sport; and #TheIcon Court, a reimagination of the traditional tennis court that pushes the boundaries of the game.
In harmony with his long-standing global partnership with Kia and his continued commitment to advocating sustainable mobility, Nadal was the recipient of the Kia EV9 GT-Line in Ocean Blue Matte at this event. The pioneering EV9, leading Kia’s transformation into a sustainable mobility solutions provider, will join his personal collection alongside the EV6 for everyday use.
“To achieve all these milestones in my career to date, I’ve had to constantly evolve. It is the only way to progress,” commented Nadal. “I am fortunate to have Kia as a partner who shares this mindset, and the EV9 is the latest step in the brand’s evolution toward becoming a global leading EV provider. I can’t wait to embark on my next journey of electrification with this stunningly-designed, high-tech SUV.”
Kia has consistently challenged conventions within the mobility industry, and the introduction of #TheIcon Court disrupts the traditional tennis landscape by digitally reimagining the 148-year-old court.
Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam winner, took to the innovative interactive court to test his skills across a variety of ‘game modes’ and engaged in friendly competition against his primary coach, Carlos Moya, on a series of unconventionally shaped courts.
Charles Ryu, SVP and Head of the Global Brand & CX Division at Kia, expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “Our partnership with Nadal began in 2004, and we are pleased to have been part of his successful journey for the past 19 years. The EV9, presented to our longstanding global ambassador today, represents the essence of Kia’s movement toward innovation and sustainability. I am confident the EV9 will prove to be a powerful inspiration for Nadal’s next groundbreaking movements.”
During #TheIcon event, guests embarked on a unique, larger-than-life 3D projection mapping journey of the EV9. They were transported inside the virtual all-electric SUV, with 360-degree screens displaying up-close visuals of the EV9’s technologically advanced, space-redefining cabin. Through the windscreen and windows, stunning visuals of breathtaking terrain emerged, symbolizing the boundary-pushing nature of the EV9.
