New Kia EV6: The Motoring World:‘Kia finally arrives in the United States market with their new EV6, the top line of their electric vehicles ‘ The automotive industry is shifting to electric with Kia, maker of the iconic Soul.
The automotive landscape is once again changing with the introduction of Kias first flagship electric vehicle, the EV6.
This innovative cross-over vehicle has been making waves with its futuristic design, high-tech interior, and stellar set of performance specs.
The EV6 is Kia’s standout in a rapidly changing market while the field is getting broad with more luxury electric vehicles on the way.
New Kia EV6 Positioning and Value Positioning vs Value
Priced from 40,375, the Kia EV6 arrives to market with a price range that really does put it in a premium market place.
The base RWD version is priced at ₹60.95 lakh (ex-showroom), while the range-topping GT Line AWD costs ₹65.95 lakh.
While these numbers put the EV6 well out of range for the mass market, they do amount to competitive value when compared to European electric rivals.
The initial cars will come via the CBU route, which justifies the high premium on their price tags. We hear through the industry vine that intra-market assembly is being considered for future production runs, so maybe this tech showpiece will be more attainable in the future.
Price is inclusive of Kia’s competitive ownership package – an 8-year/160,000 km battery warranty and 3-year/unlimited km vehicle cover.
This kind of warranty eliminates long-term reliability worries and battery degradation, and that’s of great value in the ownership proposition.
Powertrain And Performance Options
The EV6 comes with two unique powertrain configurations, which provides customers with a variety of performance options that shatter any ideas of what an electric vehicle should be.
The RWD version is driven by a single electric motor that delivers 226 bhp and 350 Nm of instant torque with a 0-100 km/h time of just 7.3 seconds.
For those expected to demand a little more excitement, the all-wheel-drive model we tested includes a front motor, total output of 320 bhp and 605 Nm.
This dual-motor combination of course makes the 0-100 km/h sprint a brisk 5.2 seconds – numbers right up there in the sports car bracket.
Both versions get a 77.4 kWh lithium-ion battery pack with an ARAI-certified driving range of 708 kilometers for the RWD, and of 565 kilometers for the AWD.
Such impressive numbers are just what is needed to alleviate any range concerns would-be EV adopters might have previously had.
Charging Infrastructure and Capacity
The EV6 also provides various charging platforms according to usage conditions. The car also features the reports an 11 kW on-board charger that will reload the battery pack from 10% up to 100% in about 7 hours from a standard AC wallbox – perfect for overnight home charging.
The EV6 also offers DC fast charging up to 350 kW for high-speed on the go charging, with 10-80 per cent charge taking just 18 mins at up to 350 kW under the best conditions.
And it’s all thanks to premium electric vehicle technology – an advanced 800-volt electrical architecture that lets Taycan charge in minutes – not hours.
A particularly innovative feature to the EV6 is its vehicle-to-load (V2L) function that effectively turns the car into a kind of portable power bank that outputs up to 3.6 kW of power to external devices.
This useful feature makes owners capable to run a variety of electronics from power tools and camping equipment to home appliance in the event of a power outage.
Advanced Technology Package
The EV6’s tech wizardry doesn’t stop at its powertrain. The interior focal point is a curved panoramic screen comprising a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen.
This visually arresting interface is powered by Kia’s newest genus harware, and includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as connected car options that can be controlled via the Kia Connect mobile app.
EV6 can deliver Level 2+ autonomous driving thanks to its Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).
This full suite features Highway Driving Assist, Smart Cruise Control with stop-and-go, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, and Lane Keeping Assist.
More tech features include a higher-end 14-speaker Meridian sound system, dual-zone climate control with multi-air mode, and an augmented reality head-up display that will show directions and safety notifications directly on the windshield.
Interior and Practicality
The new cabin design is Kia’s most advanced interior yet, fusing innovative modernity with ergonomic simplicity.
Sustainability shines through, and conventional plastic substitutes, eco textiles, recycled plastics, and natural fibers abound.
The EV6, despite its tight external dimensions, provides an impressive amount of interior space as a result of its existence on a bespoke electric vehicle platform (E-GMP).
There is no centre tunnel, allowing for a flat floor to improve comfort for rear passengers, and the telemaco.
allows for a flexible seating solution and luggage capacity: up to 1,300 litres of boot space with the rear seats folded.
There are thoughtful touches everywhere, from the premium relaxation seats that practically recline all the way on charging stops to the floating center console that is itself home to storage compartments, wireless charging pads and USB ports.
And the devil, as always, is in the details… down to the ambient lighting system with 64 color choices and the remote smart parking assist – meaning you can park the car in tight places without being in it.
New Kia EV6 Position in the Market and Prospects
While for Kia, the EV6 is a halo for its electrification strategy and serves a number of purposes beyond immediate sales volumes.
It showcases what the brand can do technologically, makes it clear that it’s serious about mobility and sustainability, and paves the way for electric mass market offerings down the road.
Despite the upmarket pricing, that may inhibit wide mass-market acceptance in the near term,both EV6s seem technologically advanced and sufficiently unique that they create a good brand identity for an EV-only brand.
Kia has already said it will bring more affordable electric models for other segments to market in future, with the EV6 functioning as the technology powerhouse from which the brand’s future electrification strategy will evolve.
For the discerning consumer thirsty for a high-end electric crossover that features distinctive styling, cutting-edge technology and hearty performance, there’s a lot to like about the new Kia EV6 that will square off against similarly equipped competition in an increasingly crowded field.
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