Kia EV6 GT Flaunts Futuristic Korean Muscle
By Edward A. Sanchez – March 30, 2021
Kia teased us with some handsome photos of its forthcoming EV6 electric crossover two weeks ago, with a promise that more detailed specifications would be coming soon. Well, today we have them. The EV6 will stretch 184.8 inches from bumper-to-bumper, riding on a 114.2-inch wheelbase, 74 to 74.4 inches wide (depending on model), and 60.8 to 61 inches tall. This makes the EV6 slightly longer than the Hyundai Ioniq 5, riding on a 3.9-inch shorter wheelbase.
It’s no great surprise that the Ioniq 5 and EV6 are E-GMP platform mates, but it’s encouraging to see the two brands go their separate ways in specific dimensions and packaging. In terms of performance, the EV6 will definitely be the hotter of the two, with the top-level GT model offering up a combined 577 hp and 546 lb-ft of torque, topping the announced 302 hp and 446 lb-ft for the AWD long-range Ioniq 5.
Could an Ioniq 5 N be coming at some point with the hot rod powertrain? Perhaps, but for now, Kia is taking the power crown.
The EV6 will be offered with a total of four different powertrain configurations globally, although it’s likely some markets may not get all announced configurations. The base model is rear-wheel drive with a 168 hp (125 kW) and 258 lb-ft (350 Nm) motor and a 58 kWh battery pack. Moving up to the long-range rear-drive model brings 225 hp and the same 258 lb-ft with a 77 kWh battery. The long-range all-wheel-drive model (also with the 77 kWh battery) is rated at 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque. That is incidentally slightly more horsepower and the same rated torque output as the AWD Ioniq 5.
The big gun, though, is the EV6 GT, with its storming 577 hp and 546 lb-ft, for a claimed 0-60 time of 3.5 seconds, and a top speed of 162 mph (260 km/h).
Despite the substantial performance offered by the top-trim GT, the EV6 doesn’t skimp on practicality, with a generous 18 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up, and 46 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. For smaller items, all U.S.-spec models will feature a 0.7 cubic foot “frunk.” Interestingly, non-U.S. rear-drive models will sport 1.8 cubic feet of front storage, possibly the result of crash structure differences.
The fact that Kia VP Albert Biermann – once head of BMW’s M division, and credited with the development and tuning of the Kia Stinger, Genesis G70, and the surprisingly good Kia K5 GT and Hyundai Sonata N-Line – oversaw the development of the EV6 whets our appetite for what we anticipate to be an engaging driving experience.
Pricing for the EV6 has not been announced, but based on the specifications, we don’t expect the EV6 to be marketed as an “economy” car by any means. We’re expecting pricing for the entry rear-wheel-drive model to start in the low-to-mid $30,000 range, with the GT possibly cresting the $50,000 mark. Although that may seem high “for a Kia,” today’s Kia is a far cry from the disposable rental car cobbled together from spare Mazda parts of 25 years ago.
Range is also up the air right now. Kia claims 316 miles via the WLTP combined cycle, so expect a sub-300 EPA range once the EV6 hits U.S. shores. But with 800V capable charging courtesy of the E-GMP platform, range can be topped up from 10-80% in 18 minutes, with 62 WLTP-rated miles being added in as little as 4.5 minutes.
From what we see here, the EV6 (which is slated to go on sale mid-2021 “in select global markets”) could be one of the most substantial competitors both the Tesla Model Y and Mustang Mach-E will face.
(Images courtesy Kia)
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