Kia EV6 electric crossover to boast 316-mile range
Kia has revealed details of its EV6 electric crossover, which will offer a 316-mile (510km) range and 800V ultra-fast charging.
The EV6 is Kia’s first car to be based on the Hyundai Motor Group’s bespoke E-GMP platform and is the first of 11 new battery electric vehicles due under the ‘Plan S’ strategy first revealed last year, of which seven will be built on the E-GMP architecture and four will be derivative EVs based on existing models.
Priced from £40,895, the EV6 will offer multiple powertrain configurations, including long-range (77.4kWh) and standard-range (58.0kWh) high-voltage battery packs, and it will also be Kia’s first electric vehicle to be available with two-wheel or four-wheel drive options.
The entry-level 58.0kWh battery pack is paired with a 170hp electric motor powering the rear wheels and also offered as a four-wheel drive model with a total combined 235hp.
Range details for the 58.0kWh variants has not been announced but the four-wheel drive version can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 6.2 seconds, with a maximum 605Nm of torque available.
The 77.4kWh battery pack is paired with a 229hp electric motor powering the rear wheels, while four-wheel drive models have a total of 325hp.
It’s the two-wheel drive 77.4kWh EV6 that can travel over 510km (316 miles) on a single charge on the WLTP combined cycle, while the four-wheel drive version delivers 605Nm and a 0-100km/h time of 5.2 seconds.
The line-up will also include an EV6 GT performance version, equipped with dual motors, a 585hp total output and a maximum 740Nm torque. This means the four-wheel drive GT version can accelerates from 0-100km/h in 3.5 seconds and can reach a top speed of 260km/h (162mph) under preliminary data.
The EV6 offers 800V and 400V charging capabilities, without the need for additional components or adapters. The car is capable of a high-speed charge from 10 to 80% in 18 minutes on all variations or a top-up charge of 100km (62 miles) of driving range in less than four and a half minutes for the 2WD 77.4kWh battery version.
The EV6 also uses an Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) that enables a new vehicle-to-load (V2L) function, which is capable of discharging energy from the vehicle battery, supplying up to 3.6kW of power that can be used to run a 55-inch television and air conditioner simultaneously for more than 24 hours, or charge another EV if needed.
The new platform also enables the EV6 to offer a 2,900mm wheelbase despite compact exterior dimensions, bringing a cabin space said to be similar to many mid-size SUVs and boot space of 520 litres rising to around 1,300 with the rear seats folded.
The EV6 will also feature new connectivity and infotainment features, including 12-inch dual screens, an augmented reality head-up display system and a 14-speaker Meridian surround audio system.
An enhanced suite of driver assistance systems will be available and includes Highway Driving Assist 2 and Remote Smart Parking Assist.
The EV6 is available to pre-order now in the UK and first deliveries start in October 2021.