We are still about half a year away from the arrival of the new Kia EV6 to our market, but the South Korean brand has already revealed its main features, the structuring of the range and the prices of its new electric crossover.
It is the spearhead for a profound transformation of the manufacturer that reflects what the automobile industry is undergoing. Recently, we have seen the brand reveal a new logo, graphic image and signature, the Plano S or the strategy for the next five years (highlighting more electrification, bet on mobility and even entering new business areas such as Vehicles for Purpose Specifics or PBV) and also a new step in its design (where the EV6 is the first chapter),
A transformation that is also accompanied by ambitious growth plans, also in Portugal. Kia's goal is to double its sales in the country to 10,000 units by 2024, increasing the share from 3.0% expected in 2021 to 5.0% in 2024.
EV6 GT
EV6, the first of many
The Kia EV6 is the first materialization of the Plan S strategy for electric vehicles — there will be 11 new 100% electric vehicles to be launched by 2026. It is the first of the brand to be based on the dedicated e-GMP platform for electric vehicles of the Hyundai group , which it shares with the new Hyundai IONIQ 5.
It is also the first to adopt the new design philosophy of the “Opostos Unidos” brand, which will be progressively extended to the rest of the manufacturer's range.
It is a crossover with dynamic lines, with its electrical nature being indicated by the particularly short front (in relation to its overall dimensions) and the long wheelbase of 2900 mm. With a length of 4680 mm, a width of 1880 mm and a height of 1550 mm, the Kia EV6 ends up having as potential rivals the Ford Mustang Mach-E, the Skoda Enyaq, Volkswagen ID.4 or even the Tesla Model Y.
A spacious cabin is to be expected and the rear luggage compartment announces 520 l. There is a small front luggage compartment with 20 l or 52 l, depending on whether it's all-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive, respectively. The interior is also marked by the use of sustainable materials, such as recycled PET (the same plastic used in soft drink bottles) or vegan leather. The dashboard is dominated by the presence of two curved screens (each with 12.3″) and we have a floating center console.
In Portugal
When it arrives in Portugal in October, the Kia EV6 will be available in three versions: Air, GT-Line and GT. All of them are distinguished by the presence of unique styling elements, both on the outside — from the bumpers to the rims, passing through the door sills or the tone of the chrome finishes — as well as on the inside — seats, coverings and specific details on the GT.
Each of them also has a different technical specification. Access to the range is made with the EV6 Air , equipped with a rear electric motor (rear wheel drive) powered by a 58 kWh battery that will allow a range of 400 km (final value to be confirmed).
THE EV6 GT-Line comes with a larger battery, 77.4 kWh, which is accompanied by an increase in power from the rear engine, which rises to 229 hp. The GT-Line is also the EV6 that goes the farthest, surpassing the 510 km mark.
Finally, the EV6 GT it's the top and fastest version of the range, even capable of “scaring” in true sports acceleration — as the brand demonstrated in an intriguing drag race. Its high performance — just 3.5s to reach 100 km/h and 260 km/h top speed — is courtesy of a second electric motor, mounted on the front axle (four-wheel drive), which raises the number of horses up to a whopping 585 hp — it's the most powerful Kia ever.
It uses the same 77.4 kWh battery as the GT-Line, but the range is around (estimated) 400 km.
Equipment
The Kia EV6 also reveals itself to be a proposal with a high technological content, with all versions coming with multiple driving assistants such as the HDA (motorway driving assistant), adaptive cruise control or the carriageway maintenance assistant.
At the EV6 Air We also have a wireless smartphone charger, smart key and luggage compartment, LED headlamps and 19″ wheels as standard. THE EV6 GT-Line adds equipment such as Alcantara and vegan leather seats, 360º vision camera, blind spot monitor, remote parking assistant, head-up display and seats with relaxation system.
Finally, the EV6 GT , the top version, adds 21″ wheels, Alcantara sports seats, Meridian sound system and panoramic sunroof. It doesn't stop there, as it comes with a more advanced version of the freeway driving assistant (HDA II) and bidirectional charging (V2L or Vehicle to Load).
In the latter case, it means that the EV6 can be considered almost as a huge power bank, capable of charging other devices or even another electric car.
Speaking of shipments…
The EV6 also shows its technological sophistication when you can see its battery (liquid cooling) charged at 400 V or 800 V — until now only the Porsche Taycan and its brother Audi e-tron GT allowed it.
This means that, under the most favorable conditions and with the maximum allowed charging power (239 kW in direct current), the EV6 can “fill” the battery to 80% of its capacity in just 18 minutes or add enough energy for 100 km less than five minutes (considering the two-wheel drive version with the 77.4 kWh battery).
It is also one of the few electric models on sale to be able to take advantage of the potential of the new ultra-fast charging stations from IONITY that have started to arrive in our country:
When does it arrive and how much does it cost?
It will be possible to pre-book the new Kia EV6 as of this month, with the first deliveries taking place during the month of October. Prices start at €43,950 for the EV6 Air, with Kia offering based on this version a special range offer for business customers for €35,950 + VAT.
| Version | power | Traction | Drums | Autonomy* | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| air | 170 hp | back | 58 kWh | 400 km | €43,950 |
| GT-Line | 229 hp | back | 77.4 kWh | +510 km | €49,950 |
| GT | 585 hp | integral | 77.4 kWh | 400 km | €64,950 |
* Final specifications may vary