Kia reveals more details on the EV6 ahead of 2022 launch

South Korean carmaker Kia reveals more details on its first dedicated battery electric vehicle (BEV) ahead of its 2022 US launch.

Kia America and Kia North America President and CEO Sean Yoon said, “The EV6 marks a new and transformative era in Kia electrification. This innovative crossover leverages the many benefits of its advanced platform to offer a level of technological excitement and convenience that will provide a superb ownership experience.”

The EV6 crossover was made using Kia’s new design philosophy, “Opposites United.” Key design elements will include a “digital tiger” grille which serves as Kia’s new tiger-nose design, headlamps that offer a sequential dynamic light pattern, flush exterior door handles, a high rear deck that would serve as a spoiler, and a cross-car rear light cluster.

Running on Kia’s Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the EV6 will boast a strong body structure using 75 percent high-strength steel (HSS) and ultra-high-strength steel (UHSS).

It also gives Kia’s crossover EV the benefit of having an underfloor-mounted battery placement for a low center of gravity.

The EV6 will offer two battery options: 58.0kWh and 77.4kWh. Both will use an energy-dense nickel-cobalt-manganese (80/10/10) battery pack.

Kia also said that the EV6 will have two motor layouts: a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) and an all-wheel-drive (AWD).

RWDs outfitted with a 58.0kWh battery with a 160kW rear motor yield 167 horsepower while a 77.4 kWh battery with a 160kW rear motor gives the RWD EV6 a 218hp output.

On the other hand, AWDs running on a 77.4kWh battery with a 70kW front motor and a 160kW rear motor yield 313hp.

A GT version will be released late next year which will run on a 77.4kWh battery with a 160kW front motor and a 270kW rear motor giving the EV6 GT a 576hp output.

Kia claimed that the batteries powering the EV6s are the world’s first patented multi-charging system supporting 400V and 800V DC charging. It will also feature innovative vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality and a vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) feature making the EV6 an alternative power source.

An integrated charging control unit (ICCU) provides 1900 watts of power to connected equipment. V2V offers 1.1kW charging, equivalent to a 110V charger.

Inside, the EV6 will feature an eco-friendly cabin with a spacious, flat floor design. Kia says that they will use recycled plastic in building the interior. In addition, other trims will feature 100 percent vegan leather surfaces.

Tech-wise, the EV6 crossover will boast a panoramic dual integrated 12-inch TFT center cluster and infotainment screens, augmented reality heads-up display (available on select trims), wireless smartphone charging, and Kia’s UVO eServices (US market only).

Hopeful owners concerned with the EV6’s safety features can expect the electric crossover to have Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) 5 features such as blind-spot avoidance assist (BCA), driver attention warning (DAW), forward collision-avoidance assist (FCA), high beam assist (HBA), Highway Driving Assist II (HDA 2), intelligent speed limit assist (ISLA), Navigation Based Smart Cruise Control-Curve (NSCC-C), and rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist (RCCA).

A limited-edition EV6 First Edition will be launched by Kia which features exterior details such as black wheel arches in a fully loaded package and a slew of other interior upgrades. Among them are the augmented reality (AR) head-up display, remote smart parking assist, wide sunroof, 20-inch wheels, premium 14-speaker Meridian audio system, a two-year subscription to SiriusXM as well as a dual-motor (AWD), and a 77.4kWh battery.

Only 1,500 units of the First Edition EV6 will be produced, says the carmaker. A numbered interior badge will highlight the vehicle’s number and designation of the limited production run along with illuminated door sills with the First Edition designation.

The First Edition EV6 will come in three unique color combinations: Glacier with dark green seats, Urban Yellow with black seats, and Steel Gray Matte with black seats. The company further adds that the Urban Yellow exterior paint is exclusive to the First Edition EV6s.

The first EV6 models are expected to go on sale in the U.S. in early 2022 with the GT arriving in late 2022.

Photos from Kia

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