Last month (March 2021) saw Kia, the South Korean car giant, announce the imminent launch of the EV6, its first dedicated electric vehicle and the first of its planned 11 EVs scheduled for release by 2026.
Artur Martins, the global brand’s boss stated ‘’in a way, it’s like our stinger EV’’ in a Q&A session just before the vehicles virtual reveal. Like the Stinger, which on its arrival four years ago challenged German sport sedans at a much lower price, the EV6 could spell a degree of trouble for Germany and for Tesla.
Kia is boldly claiming quicker acceleration times for the top-spec EV6, more than what Ford has teased for the Mustang Mach-E GT Performance or what Tesla are currently claiming for the Model Y Performance….and it will apparently charge in less time too!
The EV6 will be offered in six different variants. EV6 and EV6 GT-line models will offer a choice of 58.0-kwh or 77.4-kwh battery packs, with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
They will arrive on UK shores for buyers in autumn 2021, with the entry level model coming in at £40,895. The GT version will cost £58,295, which is insanely cheap when you take into account the facts that it powers to 62mph in 3.5 seconds and has a 251 mile battery range.
To prove its punch, Kia themselves filmed a 400m drag race against a Lamborghini Urus and Carerra 4. The EV6 beat them both….pretty impressive right!
The rapid charge on the vehicle comes through 800-volts electronics, just like the Porsche Taycan. This means the EV6 can get from 10 to 80 percentage charge in as little as 18 minutes – provided you can find a 350Kw Charger.
Kia describes the silhouette of the EV6 as “crossover-inspired” and “designed to deliver something different in the crossover class.” The size is somewhere in between the VW ID.4 and Ford Mustang Mach-E. Although most of us will not have seen many of these on the road, it might be a bit more relatable to compare the size to the likes of a Volvo XC60.
Kia also hits all the sustainability marks, more than 100 recycled water bottles go into the interior fabrics of the vehicle. A great step in the ‘green direction’ for the planet!
As you would expect from a vehicle from the land of modern ‘hi-tech’, the EV6 is packed full of technology and also offers rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, two battery sizes and rapid charging. It is clear to see why there is increasing interest around this EV. If you opt to go for the GT version, not only are you essentially getting a family car with performance that rivals that of the Porsche Taycan, but a family car with a cost that’s around half of Porsche’s flagship EV price-tag too.
With its head-turning looks and promised performance, we’re really looking forward to seeing the EV6 on the UK’s roads….are you!?
