The first dedicated Kia battery-electric vehicle, the EV6 crossover, comes to the “US early in 2022,” after a global reveal last March. EV6 goes on sale in all 50 states, but the performance GT version won’t be available until late 2022. So much for Kia’s original positioning as the sporty brand within the Hyundai auto conglomerate.
Starting with the EV6, Kia’s lineup will the “EV” designation followed by a number that indicates the car’s position in the lineup. The so-called E-GMP* modular platform allegedly “maximizes development efficiency and enables the Kia brand to expand its dedicated EV portfolio across multiple vehicle segments – sedans, CUVs, SUVs – in a short time and with minimal complexity.” (Hyundai Motor, Kia to build American-made Electric Vehicles)
The architecture provides an adaptable foundation with a long wheelbase and wide stance. The EV6’s visual language – it’s claimed – combines classic sports car inspiration with high-tech cues, modern CUV styling and a coupe-like profile. The EV6 has the same 114.2-inch wheelbase as the Kia Telluride, and compares with the width of a Ford Mustang Mach – so far a runaway success given the US’s small EV sales numbers.
Claimed are 27.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind 60/40 split-folding second row; 53.5 cubic feet of cargo space with second row folded down. There’s a hands-free Smart Power Tailgate for easier cargo access, and additional storage space for small items in front trunk (frunk).
The EV platform also has the good performance, AWD capability, and fast charging times of virtually all EVs. The EV6 delivers up to an estimated 300-miles of all-electric range (AER) and a flat-floor interior that has “sustainable materials” throughout the cabin. The EV6 also offers several advanced driver assistance systems.
“The EV6 marks a new and transformative era in Kia electrification,” said Sean Yoon, president & CEO, Kia North America, Kia America.
The first EV6 models are expected to go on sale in early 2022 in all 50 states with the GT arriving in late 2022.
EV6 First Edition
In a first for the brand, Kia – following industry leaders – will offer a special EV6 First Edition available by advanced reservation at Kia.com starting June 3. Limited “to just 1,500 units,” the EV6 First Edition has the styling of the standard design, which includes exterior details such as black wheel arches, in a fully loaded package. The Augmented Reality (AR) Head-Up Display, Remote Smart Parking Assist, wide sunroof, 20-inch wheels, premium 14-speaker audio system and a two-year subscription to SiriusXM7 are among the upgrades in the EV6 First Edition, along with dual-motor AWD and a 77.4 kWh battery.
EV6 is a committee car – imagined, penned, and brought to life by Kia’s three design studios in Seoul, Frankfurt and Irvine, California. Naturally, marketing babble survived the commute – the crossover claims to be inspired by a “new design philosophy called ‘Opposites United,’ which takes its cues and inspirations from the contrasts found in nature and everyday life.”
Design elements include:
- “Digital Tiger” grille form serves as Kia’s new tiger nose design
- Headlamps offer sequential dynamic light pattern
- Flush exterior door handles
- High rear deck serves as a spoiler
- Cross-car rear light cluster
- Wheel sizes will be available in 19, 20 or 21-inches
*E-GMP is the core technology for the next generation of Kia EVs. Highlights:
- Rear-wheel-biased; available AWD capability with front electric motor
- Strong body structure utilizing 75 percent high-strength steel (HSS) and ultra-high strength steel (UHSS)
- Five-link rear suspension
- World’s first mass-produced integrated drive axle (IDA) to enhance ride comfort and handling, combining wheel bearings with the drive shaft to save weight
- A long wheelbase and short overhangs maximize interior space with flat floor, no tunnel layout
- Underfloor mounted battery placement enables low center of gravity for stability
Battery Technology
At the heart of EV6 is a Nickel-Cobalt-Manganese (80/10/10) battery pack available in two sizes: 58.0 kWh and 77.4 kWh. The low-mounted, underfloor pack delivers energy to both RWD and AWD electric motor layouts with varying horsepower at the front and rear axles. AWD gives EV6 the traction and capability befitting a CUV.
EV6 offers up to 576 horsepower and an extended AER up to a targeted 300 miles across several configurations (AER for specific drivetrain configurations will be announced closer to the EV6’s on-sale date):
- RWD: 58.0 kWh battery with a 160kW rear motor yields 167 horsepower
- RWD: 77.4 kWh battery with a 160kW rear motor yields 218 horsepower
- AWD: 77.4 kWh battery with a 70kW front motor and a 160kW rear motor yields 313 horsepower. Estimated zero-to-60 performance in 5.1 seconds
- AWD: 77.4 kWh battery with a 160kW front motor and a 270kW rear motor yields 576 horsepower (GT). Estimated zero-to-60 mph performance in less than 3.5 seconds. Not available until late 2022
Kia claims the world’s first patented multi-charging system supporting 400v and 800v DC charging, which works on DC chargers with speeds ranging from 50kW to 350kW. The 800v DC fast charging from a 350-kW charger allows:
- Nearly 70 miles added in less than 5 minutes
- Up to 210-miles (10-to-80 percent) added in under 18 minutes
The 11kW on-board charger (OBC) for Level 2 recharging from 10-to-100% in – gasp – 7 hours, 10 minutes (240v AC, at 40-amps) for the larger 77.4 kWh battery versions. No wonder Last Mile Navigation provides walking directions to the driver’s actual destination if the vehicle is parked between 0.1 and 1.2 miles away.
There are as yet untested by buyers Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) uses that makes EV6 a power source on wheels to support things such as computers, home improvement projects to camping and tailgating. Electricity flows from the high-energy battery to an Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU), providing 1900 watts of power to electrical appliances, devices, tools and recreational equipment. The system highlights include:
- 110V power outlet located in a socket on front of second row seat base; adapter to draw power from the external charge port
- From a full charge, power can be drawn from the vehicle for 36 or more consecutive hours8
- EV6 is able to charge vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) at 1.1 kW, equivalent to a 110V charger
First Look – Kia EV6 Joins Electrification Parade
Starting with the EV6, Kia’s lineup will the “EV” designation followed by a number that indicates the car’s position in the lineup. The so-called E-GMP* modular platform allegedly “maximizes development efficiency and enables the Kia brand to expand its dedicated EV portfolio across multiple vehicle segments – sedans, CUVs, SUVs – in a short time and with minimal complexity.” (Hyundai Motor, Kia to build American-made Electric Vehicles)
The architecture provides an adaptable foundation with a long wheelbase and wide stance. The EV6’s visual language – it’s claimed – combines classic sports car inspiration with high-tech cues, modern CUV styling and a coupe-like profile. The EV6 has the same 114.2-inch wheelbase as the Kia Telluride, and compares with the width of a Ford Mustang Mach – so far a runaway success given the US’s small EV sales numbers.
Claimed are 27.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind 60/40 split-folding second row; 53.5 cubic feet of cargo space with second row folded down. There’s a hands-free Smart Power Tailgate for easier cargo access, and additional storage space for small items in front trunk (frunk).
The EV platform also has the good performance, AWD capability, and fast charging times of virtually all EVs. The EV6 delivers up to an estimated 300-miles of all-electric range (AER) and a flat-floor interior that has “sustainable materials” throughout the cabin. The EV6 also offers several advanced driver assistance systems.
“The EV6 marks a new and transformative era in Kia electrification,” said Sean Yoon, president & CEO, Kia North America, Kia America.
The first EV6 models are expected to go on sale in early 2022 in all 50 states with the GT arriving in late 2022.
EV6 First Edition
In a first for the brand, Kia – following industry leaders – will offer a special EV6 First Edition available by advanced reservation at Kia.com starting June 3. Limited “to just 1,500 units,” the EV6 First Edition has the styling of the standard design, which includes exterior details such as black wheel arches, in a fully loaded package. The Augmented Reality (AR) Head-Up Display, Remote Smart Parking Assist, wide sunroof, 20-inch wheels, premium 14-speaker audio system and a two-year subscription to SiriusXM7 are among the upgrades in the EV6 First Edition, along with dual-motor AWD and a 77.4 kWh battery.
EV6 is a committee car – imagined, penned, and brought to life by Kia’s three design studios in Seoul, Frankfurt and Irvine, California. Naturally, marketing babble survived the commute – the crossover claims to be inspired by a “new design philosophy called ‘Opposites United,’ which takes its cues and inspirations from the contrasts found in nature and everyday life.”
Design elements include:
*E-GMP is the core technology for the next generation of Kia EVs. Highlights:
Battery Technology
At the heart of EV6 is a Nickel-Cobalt-Manganese (80/10/10) battery pack available in two sizes: 58.0 kWh and 77.4 kWh. The low-mounted, underfloor pack delivers energy to both RWD and AWD electric motor layouts with varying horsepower at the front and rear axles. AWD gives EV6 the traction and capability befitting a CUV.
EV6 offers up to 576 horsepower and an extended AER up to a targeted 300 miles across several configurations (AER for specific drivetrain configurations will be announced closer to the EV6’s on-sale date):
Kia claims the world’s first patented multi-charging system supporting 400v and 800v DC charging, which works on DC chargers with speeds ranging from 50kW to 350kW. The 800v DC fast charging from a 350-kW charger allows:
The 11kW on-board charger (OBC) for Level 2 recharging from 10-to-100% in – gasp – 7 hours, 10 minutes (240v AC, at 40-amps) for the larger 77.4 kWh battery versions. No wonder Last Mile Navigation provides walking directions to the driver’s actual destination if the vehicle is parked between 0.1 and 1.2 miles away.
There are as yet untested by buyers Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) uses that makes EV6 a power source on wheels to support things such as computers, home improvement projects to camping and tailgating. Electricity flows from the high-energy battery to an Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU), providing 1900 watts of power to electrical appliances, devices, tools and recreational equipment. The system highlights include: