Kia EV6 Claims Premium BEV Range for the Mass Market
Ahead of its official launch, Kia’s new EV6 claims to bring premium BEV range and performance to the mass market.
While still teasing the car with just body-line images, the automaker boasts that the model enjoys a range of up to 328 miles between charges and a 0-62mph acceleration time of 3.5 seconds in the range-topping models, all in a package aimed squarely at the mid-price sector. It’s the first Kia model to use the E-GMP architecture is designed exclusively for its EVs. From launch, EV6 buyers have a choice of two fully electric, zero-emission powertrains, rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, based on long-range (77.4kWh) high-voltage lithium-ion polymer battery packs as standard.
Range topping V6 ‘GT-Line’ and ‘GT-Line S’ models are available with both rear- and all-wheel-drive. The ‘Air’ is the entry point into the line-up and is sold exclusively with rear-wheel drive.
Driving just two rear wheels, the car claims to travel up to 328 miles on a single charge on the WLTP combined cycle. With a power output of 226bhp and maximum torque of 258ft-lbs, it can sprint to 62mph in 7.3 seconds and reach a maximum speed of 114mph. The all-wheel drive EV6 with dual motor has a more muscular 321bhp on tap, and 446ft-lbs of torque. It accelerates to 62mph in just 5.2 seconds, with a top speed of 114mph.
The flagship of the EV6 line-up, the ‘GT’, is due on-sale in Europe in the final quarter of 2022, and will boast 577bhp and 545ft-lbs of torque. Final performance figures are yet to be ratified, however Kia powertrain engineers are targeting a top speed of 162mph and a 0-62mph acceleration figure in 3.5 seconds. The final figures will be announced in advance of the car’s arrival.
EV6 introduces multi high-speed charging means that the system is compatible with both 800V ultra-fast charging and more mainstream 400V fast charging without the need for a special adapter or additional on-board charger. The 800V charger feeds the current directly to the battery at ultra-fast speeds, charging the EV6 battery from 10% to 80% in 18 minutes on all variants. When the car stops at a more mainstream 400V charger, the vehicle’s motor and inverter convert the 400V current from the charging station into 800V, charging the battery at the maximum power provided by it.
Albert Biermann, president and head of the research and development ivision for Hyundai Motor Group, 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.”
— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in Europe. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_
