Kia has confirmed specifications for its EV6. The brand’s first dedicated electric vehicle built on its new E-GMP platform boasts up to 508 kilometres range – and there’ll be a sporty EV6 GT in the line-up that offers rapid performance, too.
As with any electric car, range and charging are key, and the Kia EV6 should take just 18 minutes to perform a 10 to 80 per cent recharge thanks to the platform’s 800-volt electronic architecture.
The EV6 line-up is launching with a choice of two batteries, with two and four-wheel drive available. This starts with the standard range 58kWh model, which uses a 168bhp rear-mounted electric motor in entry-level two-wheel drive form.
Kia says that for the AWD variant a total of 173kW is on offer. With a maximum of 605Nm of torque, it gives a 0-100km/h time of 6.2 seconds, so even the slowest EV6 should offer a surprising turn of pace relative to a conventional family crossover.
There’s no official range claim for the 58kWh variants but stepping up to the 77.4kWh rear-wheel drive model is where that 508-kilometres headline range figure comes in.
The RWD model is powered by a 168kW motor, while the four-wheel drive car in conjunction with the bigger battery offers a total of 239kW. Maximum torque for the 77.4kWh AWD car remains at 605Nm, but the extra power sees the 0-100km/h time drop to 5.2 seconds.
2021 Kia EV6 GT joins the line-up
Kia will offer an even sportier version of its new electric crossover, called the EV6 GT.
This takes power up to a total of 430kW from a dual-motor set-up, offering four-wheel drive as standard. As a result, the 0-100km/h time drops to a sports car-rivalling 3.5 seconds, while a top speed of 260km/h is targeted.
Kia says that the new E-GMP platform’s standardisation of components, plus its modular construction, allows rapid and flexible development with varied attributes, such as the possibility of this GT model from launch.
Kia hasn’t outlined any chassis modifications to the GT, but the ability to satisfy demand for a performance model is promising, as Albert Biermann, President and Head of Research and Development for Hyundai, outlines:
“The GT version of EV6 demonstrates our technological leadership through its combination of outstanding high-speed charging and acceleration performance like a super sports car. With our dedicated EV platform, there is no need for compromise between inspiring spaciousness and performance.”
2021 Kia EV6: charging and practicality
Thanks to the E-GMP underpinnings’ 800-volt capability, the EV6 accepts DC rapid charging at up to 220kW.
Alongside the 10 to 80 per cent charge time of 18 minutes, owners will be able to add 62 miles of range in less than four and a half minutes, improving flexibility.
The EV6 can also distribute charge to other vehicles at up to 3.6kW via its Type 2 socket as part of its vehicle-to-load V2L function, or power appliances “on an outdoor adventure,” according to Kia.
The new platform helps practicality too. The car’s wheelbase is 2,900mm long despite the EV6’s relatively compact dimensions, pushing the wheels close to the model’s extremities to maximise space inside. The approach to efficiency continues inside the cabin, as the slim, lightweight seats are trimmed in fabric made from recycled plastics, equivalent to 111 water bottles.
Boot space stands at 520 litres, rising to 1,300 litres with the rear seats folded down. There are also an additional 52 litres of storage space at the front in rear-drive models, dropping to 20 litres in AWD cars. It should be enough to store the car’s charging cables.
Kia claims that with more than 35 per cent charge left in the battery, the EV6 can also tow loads weighing up to 1,600kg, which is strong for an electric car.
On top of this, the EV6 features a heat pump that scavenges waste heat from the car’s coolant system; it means that even in temperatures as low as -7C the car can achieve 80 per cent of its claimed range possible at 25C ambient temperature.
2021 Kia EV6: safety and technology
To help boost range the EV6 offers six different regenerative braking settings. This includes completely off, modes 1 to 3, ‘i-Pedal’ – which allows maximum energy harvesting and brings the car to a stop without touching the brakes, allowing one-pedal driving – and an auto setting.
Kia has also revamped its infotainment offering, with a pair of 12-inch screens. The driving display and infotainment panels are curved, with the latter featuring connected services and over-the-air software updates.
There’s an augmented reality head-up display system that projects info onto the base of the windscreen in the driver’s line of sight, with speed, nav instructions and Advanced Driver Assistance system details all on offer.
On this subject, the EV6 comes packed with safety tech, including Lane Follow Assist, Highway Driving Assist 2 (semi-autonomous adaptive cruise control) with auto lane changing function, collision avoidance with AEB, remote smart parking assist and Safe Exit Assist, which warns passengers of approaching vehicles when getting out of the car.
Sean Carson