585hp Kia EV6 GT debuts with a 3.5sec 0-100kph time

The Kia EV6 has made its world debut, after the Korean automaker released preview images of the model earlier this month. Kia says it is taking “electric performance to another level” with the GT-badged hot version of its new EV6 electric crossover, which will top out a range comprising two- and all-wheel-drive variants with a choice of different battery sizes.

• EV6 gets RWD and AWD variants; range topping version is badged the EV6 GT
• 585hp EV6 GT has a top speed of 260kph
• Depending on battery size, the EV6 offers a maximum range of 510km

Kia EV6 GT: Faster than a Porsche Taycan 4S

The dual-motor EV6 GT sends 585hp and 740Nm to both axles, and is expected to get from 0-100kph in just 3.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 260kph, making it not only the quickest Kia yet built, but also more powerful and faster than the Porsche Taycan 4S. The GT draws its power from a 77.4kWh battery pack.

Kia EV6: Standard AWD and RWD versions

Lower down the range, the EV6 is available with two battery sizes – 77.4kWh and 58kWh. In non-GT guise, the larger battery pack is mated to a 229hp motor in rear-wheel drive (RWD) form and a pair of motors, making a combined 325hp, in all-wheel drive (AWD) form. The RWD variant has a driving range of 510km on the WLTP cycle. The more potent AWD version is claimed to have a 0-100kph time of 5.2 seconds.

The 58kWh battery pack can also be had in two configurations – the 170hp RWD trim and the 235hp AWD version. The latter can cover the 0-100kph sprint in 6.2 seconds.

The EV6’s powertrain line-up can be expected to be adopted by the closely related Hyundai Ioniq 6,which will take cues from the low-slung Hyundai Prophecy concept. The Ioniq 6 will arrive later this year as a performance-focused electric sedan to rival the Mercedes-Benz EQS and Audi E-tron GT.

Kia EV6: Charging details

The EV6’s E-GMP platform, which it shares with the recently revealed Hyundai Ioniq 5, is equipped with 800V charging architecture. This will allow charging from 10-80 percent capacity in as little as 18 minutes, depending on battery size, and can take on 100km of range in less than four and a half minutes, in case of the RWD version with the 77.4kWh battery pack. The EV6 is also equipped with a ‘vehicle-to-load’ function which can supply up to 3.6kW of power to external devices – including other EVs. 

Range-maximising features include an innovative heat pump which “scavenges waste heat from the car’s coolant system” to ensure that, at temperatures of -7degC, the EV6 offers 80 percent of the range it would at 25degC. Adjustable regenerative braking is fitted across the range, too, with paddleshifters behind the steering wheel allowing drivers to choose from six different modes.

Kia EV6: Features

Kia has also given new details of the EV6’s headline tech features, including an augmented reality head-up display, which shows ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems) alerts, speed data and turn-by-turn navigation instructions. The latest iteration of Kia’s connectivity package features, too, with inbuilt EV-specific functions, as does a raft of advanced driver safety aids.

Kia EV6: First of a range of bespoke EVs

The EV6 will spearhead a wave of new-era electric cars from Kia. Each will be badged ‘EV’ followed by a number corresponding to its size. So the EV6 crossover is a mid-sized car, which leaves room below for compact SUVs, hatchbacks and sedans, and for larger SUVs at the top of the range. Kia will launch a further six bespoke EVs (built on the E-GMP architecture) by 2026, with the model nomenclature ranging from EV1 to EV9.

With another four EVs planned as derivatives of its existing combustion-engined models, Kia is touting a battery electric vehicle (BEV) line-up of a total of 11 models by 2026.

Kia EV6: India outlook

Kia has announced that the EV6 will be built in South Korea and will go on sale in “select global markets” from the second half of 2021, though, there is no official word yet of the bespoke EV being brought to our shores. However, Kia has highlighted its EV capabilities in India in the past, by showcasing the Soul EV and e-Niro at the 2020 Auto Expo as technology demonstrators.

After the launch of the Seltos mid-size SUV, the Carnival premium MPV and the Sonet compact-size SUV, a Kia mid-size MPV is now in the works and it will positioned above the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga in our market. 

Also see:

Kia EV6 image gallery

Kia Seltos EV in the works

Updated Kia Seltos to launch by late-April