New EV6 crossover features Kia’s latest platform for BEVs

MANILA: Kia has officially unveiled the new EV6 crossover that produces long-range, zero-emissions power, 800V ultra-fast charging, and distinctive style.

The EV6 is the first Kia vehicle to use the brand’s new platform for battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

The new Kia EV6 showcases a futuristic electric vehicle design highlighted by leading-edge details and features. It is the first dedicated BEV built under the new Kia design philosophy “Opposites United,” which is inspired by the contrasts found in nature and mankind. This new visual identity features the diverging mix of edgy style elements and sculptural shapes.

Kia Global Design Center Senior Vice President and Head Karim Habib stated, “EV6, as the first dedicated Kia EV, is a showcase of human-centered, progressive design and electrified power. We strongly believe EV6 is a compelling and relevant model for the new EV era. 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 dedicated EV aiming to define our future.”

The Kia EV6 also comes with a GT version that has a more distinctive and striking exterior look with advanced features and high level of performance on the road.

To keep up with the modern era, the Kia’s “tiger face” has been revamped into a "digital" version. The “digital tiger face” is partly formed by the daytime running lights (DRL) that exhibit a modern look, together with a sequential light pattern. The EV6 is also built with a low air intake to create a wider illusion on the front of the car and highlight its techy image.

Although it looks compact on the outside, the vehicle surprisingly provides a wide cabin space as it is built with 2,900mm wheelbase.

Kia Vice President for Interior Design Jochen Paesen explained, “People are first attracted by the exterior of cars, but they eventually fall in love with the interior — where they spend most of their time. So, designing an inspiring space for the EV6 was the most important thing for us. We believe EV6 can inspire customers by boosting their creativity.”

The crossover’s interior is made even more luxurious by its high-tech curved infotainment screen. It is also fitted with lightweight and modern relaxation seats, which were made of 111 recycled plastic water bottles. The vehicle is also equipped with an augmented reality (AR) head-up display system that displays driving information on the windscreen in the driver’s line of sight. The EV6 is also the first Kia BEV to come with a 14-speaker Meridian surround audio system that comes with the new active sound design (ASD) feature by Kia. The ASD feature gives an audible feedback to the driver to let him or her know the vehicle's speed.

The cabin is also made functional and convenient by the various cabin storage areas, including the boot space that can accommodate 520liters (VDA) of cargo. If the second-row seats are folded, the capacity increases to 1,300 liters. The vehicle also comes with a front trunk that can accommodate up to 52 liters of additional cargo in 2WD variants and 20 liters in AWD variants.

The EV6 is powered solely by electric energy, with a choice of multiple zero-emissions powertrain configurations, including long-range (77.4kWh) and standard-range (58.0kWh). The EV6 GT-line comes with both long-range and standard-range battery packs, while the EV6 GT gets the long-range battery pack only. The EV6 is also available in 2WD and AWD variants.

The Kia EV6 is engineered with 800V and 400V charging capabilities that can go from 10% to 80% battery charge in 18 minutes. The 2WD 77.4KWh can reach 510 km on a full single charge. The AWD version generates a maximum torque of 605Nm that allows that allows it to accelerate from 0 to 100kph in 5.2 seconds. The 77.4kWh battery pack is mated to a 168kW electric motor, while the AWD variants come with two electric motors that deliver a total of 239kW.

The 58.0 kWh EV6 AWD version also produces maximum torque of 605Nm. It has the ability to accelerate to 100kph in 6.2 seconds. The 58.0kWh battery pack is coupled with a 125kW electric motor, while the AWD models are powered by two electric motors that generate a total of 173kW.

Meanwhile, the GT version is motivated by 430kW dual motors with a maximum torque of 740Nm. It provides an even more exhilarating driving experience as it can accelerate 100kph in just 3.5 seconds with a top speed of 260kph. The EV6 GT is also engineered with electronic-limited slip differential software that enables easier handling in any road condition.

Hyundai Motor Group President and R&D Division Head Albert Biermann said, “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.”

The EV6 is the first Kia BEV to use the all-new electric-global modular platform (E-GMP), which makes it the first step of Kia’s transformation into the era of electrification with the new brand slogan, “Movement that inspires.” This is also a part of Kia’s mid-to-long term strategy for BEVs, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) to comprise 40% of the brand’s total sales by 2030. Kia targets to expand its BEV sales to 880,000 units in 2030 and become one of the top sellers in the world. The Korean carmaker is set to release 10 more new BEV models by 2026. Six of these will also be crafted based on the E-GMP architecture and the other four EVs will be derived from existing models.

The new Kia EV6 is capable of a top-up charge of 100 km of driving range in less than four and a half minutes for the 2WD models with the 77.4kWh battery pack. The vehicle features an upgraded charging system as it comes with an integrated charging control unit (ICCU). The ICCU gets a new vehicle-to-load (V2L) function that allows the vehicle battery to be an energy source. The V2L function can supply up to 3.6kW of power which is capable to operate a 55-inch television and air-conditioner at the same time for more than a day. The V2L function also gives the EV6 a capability to charge another EV. The EV6 can also tow up to 1,600 kg of items if its battery has more than 35% charge.

The EV6 comes with an energy-efficient heat pump that collects the waste heat from the vehicle’s coolant system. It also features Kia’s new smart regenerative system that uses paddle shifters behind the steering wheel to allow the driver to easily slow down the vehicle and recover kinetic energy to maximize driving range and efficiency.

The EV6 is also equipped with an advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) to intensify the safety and convenience that it offers to its occupants. These intelligent features include Safe Exit Assist (SEA), Lane Following Assist (LFA), Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA 2), and remote smart parking assist (RSPA).

In a statement, Kia President and Chief Executive Officer Ho Sung Song said, “EV6 is the embodiment of the new Kia. It is born to inspire every journey, through bold design, progressive engineering, innovative technologies, and exciting electric performance. EV6 also represents the beginning of Kia’s long-term commitment to sustainable mobility, accelerating the transition not only to clean transportation, but also products, materials and manufacturing.”

The Kia EV6 will be manufactured in South Korea, and will be available in select global markets starting from the second half of 2021. Online reservations have begun on March 30 in select markets.

Watch the Kia EV6 world premiere here.

Photos from Kia

Also read: Kia previews EV6, explains new 'Opposites United' design concept