Kia EV6 – details released

Okay, it’s not pricing but at last Kia given us some details and features of the new EV6 coming to New Zealand early next year. One of those handy features is Vehicle to Vehicle (V2V) charging, where you could use your EV6 to help charge another EV who is stranded with little or no power.

But as always, people will only ask how far it will go on a tank of charge. Kai says the Long Range model will travel up to 528Km, using the WLTP measurement. That should be enough for most.

“A full-charge range in excess of 500km means it’s possible for the EV6 to drive from Queenstown to Christchurch, Wellington to Hamilton or Auckland to Rotorua return – effectively making ‘range anxiety’ a thing of the past,” says Managing Director of Kia New Zealand, Todd McDonald.

“If a small power boost is needed on a longer trip, the ultra-fast charging capability of the new model means it’s able to achieve a top-up charge of 100km in less than four-and-a-half-minutes, alternatively from 10% to 80% in just 18-minutes on a DC-system.”

Yet another common question is around towing, and yes, most EVs struggle to tow anything more than a few hundred Kg, unless you move towards the $150K range and the likes of the Audi e-tron or Mercedes-Benz EQC. But the EV6 is capable of towing up to 1,600Kg, provided there is more than 35% battery capacity available.

From a performance perspective, the top-of-the-range GT model can really move it. Equipped with 430kW dual motors and maximum 740Nm torque from its twin electric motors mounted front and rear, the AWD GT version accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in just 3.5 seconds and can reach a top speed of 260km/h.

“The Kia EV6 will remove the perceived barriers that prevent many from making the switch to electric as it provides rapid charging times, impressively long range, segment-leading interior space and can even act as a portable battery pack to charge electrical appliances or other electric vehicles,” says Mr McDonald.

“It is loaded with innovative technology and will establish itself as the new flagship of the range as we transition into an engaging and dynamic world of possibilities associated with electric mobility.”

Kia’s EV6 is built on the company’s new Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), designed exclusively for its electric vehicles. This provides immediate advantages over adapting existing platforms designed to accommodate a combustion engine.

Kia says that the E-GMP also means that despite compact exterior dimensions, the EV6 – which is similar in overall size to the attention-grabbing Stinger – offers class-leading space within. 

A long 2.9m wheelbase and minimal front and rear overhangs provide cabin space similar to that of vehicles in larger segments. Legroom of 1,078mm at the front and 990mm at the rear are impressive numbers.

Kia EV6 – V2V and V2L

Kia has developed an Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) which controls built-in bi-directional chargers, and the Vehicle Charging Management System (VCMS).  The ICCU enables up to 3.6kW of power to be transferred from the vehicle battery to other devices.

This vehicle to load (V2L) function allows occupants to charge electrical items on the go, such as a laptop, or home appliances using an outdoor V2L gender connector.

Vehicle to vehicle (V2V) charging is also possible whereby power can be transferred to another electric vehicle, for example in an emergency, with the use of an In-Cable Control Box (ICCB) cable and the V2L gender connector.

“The all-new Kia EV6 represents the perfect entry into the world of full-electric motoring,” said Mr McDonald.

“The addition of the new model to the Kia range reaffirms our objective to be the brand people think of when they consider sustainable, attainable, environmentally-considerate mobility solutions.

Pricing and specification for the Kia EV6 will be released in the lead up to launch, in the meantime people who would like to find out more are invited to register their interest at EV6 pre registration · Movement that inspires (kia.co.nz)

Distances:

• Queenstown to Christchurch = 480km
• Wellington to Hamilton = 515km
• Auckland to Rotorua = 230km; return = 460km

NB: Potential range can be influenced by factors including, but not limited to road, weather and traffic conditions