Introducing Kia's All-Electric EV6
The offerings of electric cars on the market is about to get even more exciting with the introduction of the new Kia EV6. This stunning crossover is the Korean automaker’s first all-electric vehicle and the futuristic flagship of an entire line of EVs to come. Offering dazzling good-looks, incredible tech features, and zero to 60 mph times of 3.5 seconds in its GT premium trim, the EV6 may be the perfect electric car.
All-Electric Game Changer
Unlike many plug-in hybrid vehicles that use a conventional gas-powered motor and transmission, the EV6 was conceived as a pure zero-emission, all-electric vehicle right from the start. Kia is using Hyundai’s Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) allowing for a number of new EV models with flat floors that will mean more interior room to enjoy. The E-GMP set-up was also used on the Hyundai Ioniq 5 EV and is similar to Volkswagen’s Modular Electric Drive Matrix (MEB) platform.
Take off the EV6’s bodywork and what remains looks a lot like an EV skateboard. The electric battery packs are encased in a steel frame underneath the body connected to suspension, wheels, brakes and tires. This also means you can get the EV6 in several modular configurations including your choice of rear-wheel or all-wheel drive.
Powerful Trim Levels and Fast Charging
The entry-level model comes with a 58-kWh battery pack and 168 horsepower 258-pound feet of torque electric motor at the rear for a total range of over 300 miles before you must recharge by EPA estimates. That should do wonders for electric car owners who still suffer from “range anxiety.” Those who choose the larger 77.4-kWh battery pack and two electric motors (front and rear) AWD variant will get a combined 321 horsepower and 446-pound feet of torque for swifter acceleration and a top speed of 162 mph.
An even higher performance version is in the works boasting AWD and a whopping 577 horses and 546 pound-feet of torque. It will include a software-based limited-slip differential to help control wheel spin in the corners. As you might suspect, this premium GT trim level will feature a more aggressive stance thanks to larger wheels, brakes and rubber, and more sinister-looking body panels.
The big news for this ground-breaking EV is that Kia has incorporated an 800-volt charging system that will charge the EV6 battery pack from 10 to 80 percent in just 18 minutes. Getting a charge in 18 minutes changes the whole EV landscape. Kia says you’ll be able to add 60 miles of range in less than five minutes of charging, making the EV6 the fastest-charging battery-electric vehicle around.
Lustrous, Eco-Friendly Design
The EV6 is designed to be all things to all people. The vehicle is a hatchback, a crossover SUV, a sleek sedan and a racy sports coupe all in one. Its dramatic and sporting shape along with wraparound rear lighting, suits this everyman’s EV perfectly. At 185 inches in length, it’s five inches longer than its chief rival the Volkswagen ID.4. Popping open the flush door handles reveals a clean and functional interior.
Inside, a mix of physical controls and high tech screens include a curved display for both the instrument cluster and the 12-inch infotainment touchscreen. What is being called “an augmented reality heads-up display” shows drivers alerts such as speedometer, tach, navigation and even driver assist features floating directly in the driver’s line of sight. Those driver assist features come close to autonomous travel and a remote parking app lets you park in tight places from outside the vehicle.
In keeping with the green lifestyle, no cows died to make the seats for this car. The interior of the eco-friendly EV6 is made from recycled materials. Each EV6 contains the equivalent of 111 repurposed plastic water bottles. Kia says it plans to offer eleven new all-electric vehicle models by 2026. The EV6 has an MSRP of $41,400 but if you order one now, you’ll be looking at a two year wait to get yours.
