Kia reveals new EV6, could be here end of year
BY CALLUM HUNTER | 15th Mar 2021
KIA Corporation has revealed its upcoming EV6 electric vehicle, releasing a series of exterior and interior shots in the lead-up to its virtual debut later this month.
Based on the wider Hyundai Motor Group’s ‘electric-global modular platform’ (E-GMP), the EV6 will usher in a new design language for Kia when it launches with its particular design reportedly being inspired by natural contrasts.
Unlike the entirety of the brand’s internal combustion portfolio, the EV6 goes without the now signature ‘tiger nose’ front grille and features a far more rounded body than the comparatively contoured models currently available.
From the front at least, it could almost be mistaken for a flattened version of Volkswagen’s new ID.4 SUV, brandishing similar tapered headlights, smooth front fascia and similarly shaped lower grille.
Compared to the squarer front ends of the brand’s existing models, the EV6 sports a more sloping bonnet line leading to the front fascia being mounted lower down in relation to the rest of the body which looks to have drawn inspiration from the premium Jaguar I-Pace.
The relation to the I-Pace can be seen most prominently in the rear three-quarter area with its sloping and sharply curved tailgate, gently angled roofline and flared rear haunches.
As for the finer details, the rear is adorned with a full-width LED brake strip which helps accentuate the wide hipline and is complemented by a mirroring silver trim insert stemming from the base of the tail-lights.
The interior follows a similar sense of contrast with an elegant and clutter-free but angular cabin layout full of both white space and sharp contours.
According to Kia design boss Karim Habib, the EV6 is a “showcase of human-centred, progressive design and electrified power”.
“We strongly believe EV6 is a compelling and relevant model for the new EV market,” he said.
“With EV6 we aimed to create a distinctive, impactful design by using a combination of sophisticated, high-tech features on pure and rich volumes, while providing a unique space as a futuristic EV.”
Given it rides on the same platform as the recently revealed Ioniq 5, it would be safe to expect the EV6 to be powered by a 58kWh lithium-ion battery at the very least and offer the choice of both rear- and all-wheel drive, as per its Ioniq cousin.
On the Ioniq 5, the 58kWh battery is tuned to produce 125kW/350Nm when in RWD guise, hooked up to a single electric motor on the rear axle.
Adding a second motor to the front axle on AWD versions also increases performance, with outputs boosted to 173kW/605Nm.
A ‘long-range’ version with a bigger battery will also be offered – potentially with the 64kWh battery as found on the Hyundai Kona and incoming Kia Niro – which will increase range to around 470-480km.
The RWD long-range version will produce 160kW/350Nm, while the AWD long-range proves the gruntiest of the lot with a combined output of 225kW/605Nm, which affords a 0-100km/h sprint time of 5.2 seconds.
Going by the numbers present in the model names and comparing the silhouette proportions, it would also be safe to assume the EV6 will be bigger than the 5 – perhaps in the segment above – which would help prevent competition between the two if they launch at similar times.
On the subject of launches, a Kia Australia spokesperson said it was “way too early for even the slightest indication of timing” for the EV6, meaning its launch could still be some way off however we expect it to arrive this year going by previous communications from the brand.
The launch of the EV6 will mark the beginning of a new era for Kia under its Plan S strategy which will see seven EVs launched between now and 2027.
Specifically, executives say the brand will transition from a traditional auto-maker to a “leading EV brand in the market”.
The EV6 will likely be the second Kia-badged EV to launch Down Under, following the Niro SUV which in January was finally locked in for local launch in the second quarter of the year.
Like the Hyundai Ioniq, the Niro will be offered in three flavours of powertrain – hybrid, plug-in hybrid and EV.
Overall Kia sales Down Under are up 15.7 per cent so far this year ending February with 11,371 units sold compared to the 9825 shifted over the same two-month period last year.
With no singular model doing the bulk of the heavy lifting, the Cerato (3013) small car has proven the most popular model within the current portfolio, followed by the Seltos (1847) compact SUV and aging Sportage (1435) mid-sizer.
