The second vehicle on the Hyundai Motor Group’s E-GMP architecture has been revealed, the 2022 Kia EV6. This is the first battery-electric vehicle for the brand and it’ll even come in a hot performance variant. In total, Kia will have seven EVs on the E-GMP platform while another four will be on existing ones.
The Kia EV6 is the first vehicle designed under the new Opposites United design philosophy recently outlined by the brand. This theme takes inspiration from contrasts in nature and humanity, blending sharp elements with sculptural shapes. “EV6, as the first dedicated Kia EV, is a showcase of human-centered, progressive design and electrified power,” said Karim Habib, Vice President and head of Kia’s global design center. “We strongly believe EV6 is a compelling and relevant model for the new EV era. With EV6 we aimed to create a distinctive, impactful design by using a combination of sophisticated, high-tech features on pure and rich volumes while providing a dedicated EV aiming to define our future.”
In front, you get a new take on Kia’s corporate face called the digital tiger face. Sequential light patterns and a lower fascia that widens the EV6 give it a hunkered-down stance. From the side, the EV6 has a low-slung roofline but avoids looking like a hunchback because it doesn’t descend quickly. In terms of dimensions, the EV6 is 184.2- to 184.8 inches long, 74- to 74.4 inches wide, and 60.8- to 61.0 inches tall depending on the variant. It rides on a 114.1-inch wheelbase, which is 0.1 inches shorter than the three-row Telluride despite the EV6 being in the compact realm in terms of size. The long-wheelbase results in a spacious interior that’s similar in size to a mid-size crossover. In addition to the traditional cargo area, you also get a frunk since there’s no engine under the hood.
On the tech front, the 2022 Kia EV6 will feature two 12.0-inch displays housed under a single curved glass. A 14-speaker Meridian surround sound system will also be offered for audiophiles. In addition to the usual suite of driver assistance features, Kia has added a lane following assist system, which helps center the vehicle in its lane.
Highway Driving Assist 2 will also be available, which builds on the current highway driving assist by enabling the car to make subtle tweaks to your trajectory to keep you from hitting another vehicle, and automatic lane change when you activate the turn signals and there’s a safe opening next to you. The EV6 will also be available with remote automatic parking capability.
Like the closely related Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Kia EV6 will be available with two battery sizes: a 58-kWh or an optional 77.4-kWh unit. In the WLTP cycle, Kia says that the EV6 will be able to travel up to 316 miles per charge with the larger battery in a single-motor configuration. Single-motor variants make 226 hp with the larger battery but Kia didn’t provide range figures or torque output. AWD versions of the EV6 can accelerate to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.2 seconds thanks to a combined output of 324 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque.
If the AWD long-range version isn’t enough for you there’s the bonkers EV6 GT, which can do the same deed in 3.5 seconds before topping out at 161 mph. How? Take the 77.4-kWh battery and add two electric motors making a combined output of 576 hp and 545 lb-ft. To help you go even faster, the EV6 will also get an electronically-controlled limited-slip differential.
That’s more horsepower and torque than a Porsche Taycan 4s.
“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,” said Albert Biermann, President and Head of R&D Division for Hyundai Motor Group. “With our dedicated EV platform, there is no need for compromise between inspiring spaciousness and performance.”
One of the biggest benefits of Hyundai Motor Group’s E-GMP platforms is charging because cars underpinned by it can do so at 400V and 800V. As a result, the EV6 can recharge its battery to 80 percent in 18 minutes from 10 percent or gain back 62 miles in 4.5 minutes on long-range AWD models. Like the Ioniq 5, the EV6 is also capable of vehicle to load (V2L) functionality, allowing it to power appliances or charge another EV if necessary. It can also tow up to 1,600 kg or roughly 3,527 pounds as long as you have a 35 percent charge or more.
The EV6 will have a broad range of regenerative braking. In addition to choosing from level 0 to 3, you can also leave it in auto mode. Kia’s I-Pedal system enables full regenerative power and allows for one-pedal driving. To allow the EV6 to retain its range in extreme conditions, a new heat pump that scavenges waste heat from the coolant has been added. According to Kia, this allows the EV6 to achieve 80% of its range at 19 degrees Fahrenheit that it would get at 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
Reservations for the 2022 Kia EV6 in select global markets will open on March 30 before going on sale in the second half of 2021. Besides the high-performance EV6 GT, Kia will also sell a standard and GT-Line version.
