The EV6 is Kia’s first EV to be built on the company’s dedicated all-new Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) platform. The new Kia EV6 joins the electric crossover market with long-range, 800V ultra-fast charging, and distinctive styling.
The EV6’s 800V charging capacity allows it to go from zero to 80 percent battery charge in just 18 minutes, while the GT edition, designed to excite drivers, accelerates from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.5 seconds and has a top speed of 260 km/h (161 mph).
“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,” Ho Sung Song, Kia’s President & CEO said. “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.”
It also kicks off a mid-to-long-term plan for BEVs, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) to account for 40% of Kia’s overall sales by 2030, with an annual sales goal of 1.6 million units. Kia plans to boost its BEV sales to 880,000 units by 2030, making it a top global seller.
By 2026, Kia aims to add 11 new BEV models to its lineup, including seven built on the E-GMP architecture and four derivative EVs based on existing models.
The Kia EV6 will be built in South Korea. It will go on-sale in select global markets in the second half of 2021, with online reservations beginning from March 30 in selected markets.
Long-range, all-wheel drive and zero-emissions
The EV6 will come with a choice of multiple fully-electric, zero-emission powertrain configurations, including long-range (77.4 kWh) and standard-range (58.0 kWh) high-voltage battery packs. EV6 GT-line is available with both long-range and standard-range battery packs, while EV6 GT features the long-range battery pack only. This is Kia’s first electric vehicle to be available with two-wheel (2WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) options – the latter offering enhanced dynamic capability in even the most challenging conditions.
The 2WD 77.4 kWh EV6 can go over 510 kilometers (316 miles) on a single charge on the WLTP combined cycle. With a maximum 605 Nm torque available on the AWD version, the EV6 can accelerate from 0-to-100 km/h in just 5.2 seconds. The 77.4 kWh battery pack is paired with a 168 kW (229ps) electric motor powering the rear wheels, and for AWD models a 239 kW (325 ps) electric motor powers the front and rear wheels.
The 58.0 kWh EV6 can accelerate from 0-to-100 km/h in 6.2 seconds, with a maximum 605 Nm torque available on the AWD version. The 58.0 kWh battery pack is paired with a 125 kW electric motor powering the rear wheels, and for AWD models a 173 kW electric motor powers the front and rear wheels.
Platform flexibility for electric performance
The new dedicated E-GMP reduces complexity through modularization and standardization, allowing for quick and scalable development of products with a wide range of features. Within a single model line, such as the EV6, this versatile creation will meet a variety of customer needs for vehicle efficiency.
The EV6 GT, with its 430kW dual motors, raises the bar on electric output. The AWD GT edition, which has a maximum torque of 740Nm, accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds and has a top speed of 260 km/h (preliminary development targets). With the addition of electronic-Limited Slip Differential software to the EV6 GT version only, drivers will enjoy confident control and dynamic ride and handling in all conditions.
“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,” said Albert Biermann, President and Head of R&D Division for Hyundai Motor Group.
800V Ultra-Fast Charging: 80 percent charge in just 18 minutes; new vehicle-to-load (V2L) function
The EV6 can charge at 800V and 400V without the use of any external components or adapters. On all variants, the car can charge from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes, or a top-up charge of 100km of driving range in less than four and a half minutes when using 2WD and the 77.4-kWh battery option.
Thanks to an Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU), the car’s charging mechanism is more versatile than previous generation BEVs. The ICCU enables a new vehicle-to-load (V2L) function, which allows the vehicle battery to be discharged of energy.
The V2L feature can provide up to 3.6kW of electricity, which is enough to power a 55-inch television and an air conditioner for more than 24 hours, for example. If required, the device may also charge another electric vehicle. The EV6 can tow objects weighing up to 1,600 kg with more than 35 percent charge left in the battery. Together with the V2L function, EV6 owners can take everything they need on an outdoor adventure with friends and family and do it all with zero emissions.
New connectivity and infotainment features for the EV age
The EV6 adds a range of new technologies to improve protection, networking, and infotainment. They are intended to make travel safer, more convenient, and less stressful.
Dual 12-inch displays are part of the high-tech infotainment scheme. Curved displays for the EV6 use thin film panels with a new structure and advanced technologies to minimize light effects. The cluster and infotainment device are linked by reinforced glass as if they were wrapped around one person. It shows a graphical cluster in front of the driver and an infotainment device above the center console, extending from the steering wheel to the center of the vehicle.
The EV6 also has an augmented reality (AR) head-up display system, which projects driving details onto the windscreen’s base in the driver’s line of sight. The system displays Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) warnings, vehicle speed information, and turn-by-turn navigation instructions.
The new iteration of Kia’s revolutionary connected car system, formerly known as UVO, is included, which includes a variety of Kia real-time services and over-the-air (OTA) updates. Accessible through the touchscreen, Kia Connect allows users to find locations and pricing of EV charging points, view their vehicle’s charging status, plan smart charging schedules and check the range radius based on the remaining charge.
The EV6 is also available with a powerful 14-speaker Meridian surround audio system, a first for a Kia BEV, is also available, providing a truly immersive sound experience. The 14-speaker audio system has been engineered by the experts at Meridian and features several of the British audio pioneer’s proprietary digital signal processing (DSP) technologies. The EV6 integrates Meridian’s core sound philosophy, enabling customers to experience real, lifelike, and authentic audio while on the go.
The speaker system also offers Active Sound Design (ASD), a newly-developed feature by Kia which provides drivers with audible feedback to the speed that the car is travelling and controlled via a user interface.
Advanced Driver Assistance system with Remote Smart Parking Assist
Thanks to its improved suite of driver assistance systems, the EV6 provides class-leading standards of protection and comfort (ADAS). They help to mitigate many of the risks and pressures that come with driving, protecting passengers and other road users on any journey.
When exiting EV6, Secure Exit Assist (SEA) assists drivers in preventing rear-end collisions. If an approaching vehicle from the rear side is identified when the occupant opens the door to exit the vehicle after a stop, the device issues an alert. The electronic child lock, which is operated by SEA, also aids in keeping the back door locked. Lane Following Assist (LFA) assists the vehicle in staying in its lane. When driving, LFA can be switched on and off with the press of a button.
When driving on a highway, Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA 2) assists in maintaining a fixed distance and speed from the vehicle ahead, as well as centering the vehicle in the lane, even around a curve. In the event that an adjacent vehicle travels too close to the EV6, HDA 2 assists in changing the EV6’s course to prevent any future collision. A click of the indicator stalk will also shift the car into the corresponding lane with the driver’s hands on the steering wheel and above a certain speed.
With the driver running the EV6 from outside the car, Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA) assists in remotely parking or exiting a parking spot.
Kia EV6 Specifications:
| Dimensions | ||||||
| (Europe model) | EV6 | EV6 GT-line | EV6 GT | |||
| Wheelbase | 2,900 mm | 2,900 mm | 2,900 mm | |||
| Length | 4,680 mm | 4,695 mm | 4,695 mm | |||
| Width | 1,880 mm | 1,890 mm | 1,890 mm | |||
| Height | 1,550 mm | 1,550 mm | 1,545 mm | |||
| Cargo | ||||||
| Boot/trunk space EV6 / EV6 GT-line | 520 L 1300 L (when second-row seats are fully folded) | |||||
| Front trunk | Non-NA model: 52 L (2WD) or 20 L (AWD) North America model: 20 L (both AWD & 2WD) | |||||
| Performance | ||||||
| Platform | Electric-Global Modular Platform | |||||
| EV6 EV6 GT-line | Long Range 77.4-kWh Battery | AWD | Power | 239-kW (Front & Rear combined) | ||
| Torque | 605-Nm (Front & Rear combined) | |||||
| 2WD | Power | 168-kW Rear | ||||
| Torque | 350-Nm Rear | |||||
| Standard Range 58.0-kWh Battery | AWD | Power | 173 kW (Front & Rear combined) | |||
| Torque | 605 Nm (Front & Rear combined) | |||||
| 2WD | Power | 125 kW Rear | ||||
| Torque | 350 Nm Rear | |||||
| EV6 GT | Long Range 77.4-kWh Battery | AWD | Power | 430 Kw (Front & Rear combined) | ||
| Torque | 740 Nm (Front & Rear combined) | |||||
| Features | ||||||
| Supported Charging Infrastructure | 400 V and 800 V (No need for additional adapters) | |||||
| Ultra-fast Charging (800V) | 10 % to 80 % in 18 minutes of charge 100 km of range (WLTP) in 4.5 minutes of charge | |||||
