New 2021 Kia EV6: UK prices and specifications confirmed
The new all-electric Kia EV6 gets two batteries, 4WD and even a rapid sporty GT version. Prices start from £40,895
UK prices and specifications for the new all-electric Kia EV6 crossover have been revealed. The EV6 is the first dedicated electric car built on Kia's new E-GMP platform and it boasts up to 316 miles range – plus there will be a sporty EV6 GT in the line-up that offers Porsche Taycan rivalling performance, too.
Potential buyers can reserve an EV6 now, by placing a refundable £100 deposit. Orders open fully in May, with the newcomer priced from £40,895, and Kia is targeting first deliveries by October.
The EV6 line-up is launching with a choice of two batteries, with two and four-wheel drive available. This starts with the standard range 58kWh model, which uses a 168bhp rear-mounted electric motor in entry-level two-wheel drive form.
Kia says that for the AWD variant of the 58kWh car, a total of 232bhp is on offer. With a maximum of 605Nm of torque, it gives a 0-62mph time of 6.2 seconds. However, both of the 58kWh cars aren’t available from launch.
There’s no official range claim for the 58kWh variants yet either, but stepping up to the 77.4kWh rear-wheel drive model is where that 316-mile headline range figure comes in, and this is where the line-up will begin from when orders open in May.
The RWD model is powered by a 225bhp motor, while the four-wheel drive car in conjunction with the bigger battery offers a total of 321bhp. Maximum torque for the 77.4kWh AWD car remains at 605Nm, but the extra power sees the 0-62mph time drop to 5.2 seconds.
As with any electric car, range and charging are key, and the Kia EV6 should take just 18 minutes to perform a 10 to 80 per cent recharge thanks to the platform’s 800-volt electronic architecture.
2021 Kia EV6 GT joins the line-up
Kia will offer an even sportier version of its new electric crossover, called the EV6 GT. This takes power up to a total of 577bhp from a dual-motor set-up, offering four-wheel drive as standard. As a result, the 0-62mph time drops to a sports car-rivalling 3.5 seconds, while a top speed of 162mph is targeted.
Kia claims a range of 251 miles for this sportier variant and says that the new E-GMP platform’s standardisation of components, plus its modular construction, allows rapid and flexible development with varied attributes, such as the possibility of this GT model from launch.
Kia hasn’t outlined any chassis modifications to the GT, but the ability to satisfy demand for a performance model is promising, as Albert Biermann, President and Head of Research and Development for Hyundai, outlines:
“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.”
2021 Kia EV6: charging and practicality
Thanks to the E-GMP underpinnings’ 800-volt capability, the EV6 accepts DC rapid charging at up to 220kW.
Alongside the 10 to 80 per cent charge time of 18 minutes, owners will be able to add 62 miles of range in less than four and a half minutes, improving flexibility.
The EV6 can also distribute charge to other vehicles at up to 3.6kW via its Type 2 socket as part of its vehicle-to-load V2L function, or power appliances “on an outdoor adventure,” according to Kia.
The new platform helps practicality too. The car’s wheelbase is 2,900mm long despite the EV6’s relatively compact dimensions, pushing the wheels close to the model’s extremities to maximise space inside. The approach to efficiency continues inside the cabin, as the slim, lightweight seats are trimmed in fabric made from recycled plastics, equivalent to 111 water bottles.
Boot space stands at 520 litres, rising to 1,300 litres with the rear seats folded down. There are also an additional 52 litres of storage space at the front in rear-drive models, dropping to 20 litres in AWD cars. It should be enough to store the car’s charging cables.
Kia claims that with more than 35 per cent charge left in the battery, the EV6 can also tow loads weighing up to 1,600kg, which is strong for an electric car.
On top of this, the EV6 features a heat pump that scavenges waste heat from the car’s coolant system; it means that even in temperatures as low as -7C the car can achieve 80 per cent of its claimed range possible at 25C ambient temperature.
2021 Kia EV6: safety and technology
To help boost range the EV6 offers six different regenerative braking settings. This includes completely off, modes 1 to 3, ‘i-Pedal’ – which allows maximum energy harvesting and brings the car to a stop without touching the brakes, allowing one-pedal driving – and an auto setting.
Kia has also revamped its infotainment offering, with a pair of 12-inch screens. The driving display and infotainment panels are curved, with the latter featuring connected services and over-the-air software updates.
There’s an augmented reality head-up display system that projects info onto the base of the windscreen in the driver’s line of sight, with speed, nav instructions and Advanced Driver Assistance system details all on offer.
On this subject, the EV6 comes packed with safety tech, including Lane Follow Assist, Highway Driving Assist 2 (semi-autonomous adaptive cruise control) with auto lane changing function, collision avoidance with AEB, remote smart parking assist and Safe Exit Assist, which warns passengers of approaching vehicles when getting out of the car.
2021 Kia EV6: pricing and on-sale date
With recent changes to the Government’s plug-in car grant (PiCG) the incentive now only covers cars with a maximum price of £35,000, so launch versions of the EV6 miss out on the subsidy. However, Kia’s launch offering only includes the longer range 77.4kWh battery cars, with cheaper 58kWh variants of the EV6 due at a later date.
Early EV6 adopters are offered a starting price of £40,895 for the 77.4kWh rear-wheel-drive 225bhp model, which features the dual 12.3-inch curved screens, sat-nav with Kia Connect, full LED headlights and plenty of advanced safety tech.
Stepping up to the sportier looking GT-Line version sees the price climb to £43,895. It features the same powertrain as the base-model, but a more aggressive body kit and some extra standard technology. Upgrades include suede upholstery, LED ambient lighting and a power-operated driver’s seat.
The top-spec, high-performance EV6 GT is priced from £58,295 and is only available with the high-power, all-wheel-drive powertrain.
Buyers also get a few equipment upgrades, such as intelligent LED headlights, larger brakes with neon green brake calipers and 21-inch alloy wheels, shod in sticky Michelin tyres. Kia has made a few tweaks to the EV6 GT’s cabin, too, fitting some fresh trim panels to the car’s dashboard, a unique sports steering wheel and a premium stereo system. First deliveries for the 577bhp Kia EV6 GT aren’t expected until October 2022.
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