New 2021 Kia EV6 boasts up to 328 miles of range
Kia reveals more specs for its bespoke electric car, with the EV6 offering long range and an 18-minute 80 per cent rapid recharge time
Kia has confirmed more specifications for its new EV6 electric crossover, with the bespoke electric car to offer a maximum of up to 328 miles of range from a full charge.
Kia EV6 prices start from £40,895, with first deliveries expected to arrive in October, while the range will consist of three trim levels of two drivetrains. Every UK model also comes as standard with the company’s long-range 77.4kWh battery, rather than the entry-level 58kWh unit offered in other markets.
The entry-level rear-drive Kia EV6 can travel up to 328 miles according to official WLTP testing. It features a 226bhp electric motor, while standard equipment on this ‘Air’ trim car includes 19-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, LED headlights, rear parking sensors and rain-sensing wipers.
Inside, buyers get heated front seats trimmed in black vegan ‘leather’, a heated steering wheel, an ambient lighting system, automatic air-conditioning and two 12.3-inch screens – one for the digital instruments and one to handle the car’s infotainment functions.
The sportier EV6 GT-Line can be specified with either the 226bhp rear-wheel drive (£43,895) or a dual-motor, four-wheel drive 321bhp powertrain (£47,395). The latter set-up generates 605Nm of torque and will accelerate from 0-62mph in 5.2 seconds. Due to the extra performance, claimed range drops to 314 miles according to WLTP testing. However, both official range figures are improvements on Kia’s original targets.
Standard equipment for the GT-Line model includes a more aggressive body kit, black 19-inch alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, front parking sensors and dual-LED headlamps with adaptive high-beam. Buyers also get a handy ‘vehicle-to-load function’, which allows them to use the EV6’s battery to power external appliances rated up to 3.6kW.
The EV6 GT-Line also gets a few interior tweaks, such as aluminium pedals, a wireless smartphone charging pad, black suede upholstery and Kia’s “Premium Relaxation Seats,” which automatically tilt back when the vehicle is charging to give the driver chance to catch a “NASA nap” between driving stints.
The most expensive version of the EV6 is the GT-Line S. It comes with the same exterior styling pack and is also available with either the rear-wheel drive motor (£48,395) or four-wheel drive electric powertrain, although it comes with more standard equipment.
Buyers get 20-inch alloy wheels, a power-operated tailgate, remote smart parking assist and a panoramic sunroof, which both tilts and slides. Kia’s Highway Driving Assist 2 system is also included, which allows the EV6 to assume control of its steering, brakes and throttle when on the motorway.
Inside, there’s a pair of heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a 14-speaker Meridian audio system and an augmented reality head-up display system, which projects information on the car’s speed, navigation and assistance technology onto the windscreen.
Thanks to the new E-GMP underpinnings, which features the latest 800-volt electrical architecture, the EV6 can charge from 10 to 80 per cent in just 18 minutes, while maximum DC rapid charging capability stands at 239kW.
As a world first, the EV6 also has the capability to transform a power feed from a more common 400-volt rapid charger to 800 volts thanks to a clever motor and inverter set-up, allowing the EV6 to charge at its maximum capacity.
Kia’s Charge solution package also gives EV6 owners access (and guidance via the nav) to around 205,000 charge points across Europe, both AC and DC feeds. The Kia Charge smartphone app gives users a link between the various different charging providers that are part of the scheme (including the Ionity network) with Kia managing the subscriptions and payments for three levels of membership subscription depending on owners’ usage levels.
To help boost range the EV6 features 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.
New 2022 Kia EV6 GT: price and specifications
We’re still waiting on the flagship, Porsche Taycan-baiting EV6 GT. Kia says it’ll go on sale in 2022, priced from £58,295, with deliveries expected during the second half of the year.
It’ll be powered by two electric motors with a combined output of 577bhp. Kia says the system drops the crossover’s 0-62mph time to a sports car-rivalling 3.5 seconds, while increasing its top speed to 162mph. However, the extra performance means claimed range falls to 251 miles.
Standard equipment for the GT includes 21-inch alloy wheels, different exterior styling, electronically controlled suspension and an electronic limited-slip differential, and a drive-mode controller.
In keeping with the car’s performance brief, the GT-Line S car’s heavy panoramic sunroof is also removed, while the standard car’s sports seats are swapped for fresh bucket seats, trimmed in black suede with neon green piping.
Albert Biermann, President and Head of Research and Development for Hyundai, outlined the Kia EV6 GT’s brief, saying: “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.”
New 2021 Kia EV6: design and practicality
The Kia EV6’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 percent 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.
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