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Kia has shocked the automotive world by revealing its quickest and most powerful model yet, the all-electric EV6 GT mid-size SUV, which will launch in Australia late this year or early next.
Serving as the flagship in Kia’s new EV6 line-up, the EV6 GT has a 430kW/740Nm dual-motor powertrain and a 77.4kWh battery that help it to sprint from a standstill to 100km/h in a Tesla Model Y Performance-rivalling 3.5 seconds, while its top speed is 260km/h.
The mechanically related all-electric Hyundai Ioniq 5 mid-size SUV doesn’t have this high-performance option with an electronic limited-slip differential (e-LSD) yet, although it does more or less share its other powertrains with the EV6, with the exception being the latter’s larger long-range battery (+4.8kWh).
Specifically, single-motor (rear-wheel drive) and dual-motor (all-wheel-drive) powertrains are available in the rest of the EV6 line-up alongside 58.0kWh and 77.4kWh batteries.
Available in regular EV6 and sportier EV6 GT-Line forms, the RWD-58.0kWh, RWD-77.4kWh, AWD-58.0kWh and AWD-77.6kWh combinations produce 125kW/350Nm, 168kW/350Nm, 173kW/605Nm and 239kW/605Nm respectively, and have a braked towing capacity of 1600kg.
The AWD-58.0kWh and AWD-77.6kWh configurations complete the triple-digit sprint in 6.2s and 5.2s respectively, while the RWD-58.0kWh and RWD-77.6kWh combinations are yet to have their zero-to-100km/h claims made public.
Similarly, the driving ranges of those four configurations are yet to be released, although we do know the RWD-77.4kWh combination can travel more than 510km between charges on the more realistic WLTP combined-cycle test, while 405km is being targeted for the EV6 GT.
Thanks to its 400V or 800V electrical architecture, the EV6 can DC fast charge from 10 to 80 per cent capacity (with a CCS plug) in as quickly as 18 minutes, while the RWD-77.4kWh combination can recoup 100km of driving range in less than 4.5 minutes.
Of course, the battery is also charged while on the move thanks to regenerative braking, with six levels available, including a ‘one pedal’ mode that can actually bring the EV6 to a standstill.
Interestingly, the EV6 also has a vehicle-to-load (V2L) technology, meaning it can supply up to 3.6kW of charging power from its battery. Not only can this be useful when camping, but it can also charge other electric vehicles.
As reported, the EV6’s exterior and interior were revealed earlier this month, debuting Kia’s new design language, which does away with its signature ‘tiger nose’ grille, among other features.
That said, we now know more about some of the details inside and out, with the EV6 GT-Line and EV6 GT getting a specific body kit and alloy wheels as well as a sports steering wheel, ‘zero gravity’ front seats and yellow or green trim.
Furthermore, an augmented reality (AR) head-up display is projected onto the windshield, while the 12.0-inch touchscreen and 12.0-inch digital instrument cluster are positioned side by side underneath a single curved panel. There’s also a 14-speaker Meridian sound system.
Advanced driver-assist systems in the EV6 extend to lane-keep and steering assist, adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, Safe Exit Assist and remote park assist, among others.
For reference, the regular EV6 measures 4680mm long (with a 2900mm wheelbase), 1880mm wide and 1550mm tall, while the EV6 GT-Line and EV6 GT are 15mm longer and 10mm wider, with the latter is also 5mm shorter.
Either way, the boot’s cargo capacity is 520L, although it can be increased to 1300L when the rear bench is stowed. The froot (or trunk) provides an additional 52L of storage space in RWD variants, while AWD versions get 20L instead.
As reported, Kia is yet to lock in specific timing for the EV6’s Australian launch, although production for our market will begin in the fourth quarter of this year, with local pricing and full specification details to be announced closer to its release.
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