What's all this about?
This is the Kia EV6, an all-new, purpose-built EV from the Koreans. It sits alongside the Hyundai Ioniq 5 in the midsized EV marketplace and promises to take the fight to the European likes of the Volkswagen ID.3. To that end, Kia has given it some striking styling: while the front may be fairly generic and even vaguely ID.4-ish in appearance, the back of it looks like nothing else on Earth - you've got a chopped-off Kamm tail highlighted by a huge boomerang rear-light signature. Inside, sleek minimalism sees a large, three-display digital human-machine interface dominating proceedings, while slim seats are clad in fabrics fashioned from recycled plastics. It's all very noble eco-stuff.
Any details on power and range?
Not at this stage, as this is merely Kia grandstanding about the way it looks inside and out. However, we can extrapolate from what we know of the Ioniq 5, with which the EV6 shares so much: therefore, the Kia sits on the Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) and will be available with two battery pack sizes (58- or 72.6kWh) and the choice of single-motor rear-wheel drive or twin-motor all-wheel drive. Expect a maximum range of around 300 miles, probably from a single-motor RWD model with the 72.6kWh battery pack, and power outputs between 169- and 305hp. That means the fastest EV6 will tick off 0-62mph in an impressive 5.5 seconds.
Is that all for now?
Largely, yes, other than to say that the EV6 will start a whole range of 'EV'-badged models from Kia (and Hyundai is clearly going with 'Ioniq' for its electric-sub-brand), just as Volkswagen has 'ID', BMW 'i', Mercedes 'EQ' and Audi 'e-tron'.
So, as this is a styling piece, we'll leave you with some words from Karim Habib, the senior vice-president and head of Kia's Global Design Centre, who said: "EV6, as the first dedicated Kia EV, is a showcase of human-centred, progressive design and electrified power. We strongly believe EV6 is a compelling and relevant model for the new EV market. With EV6 we aimed to create a distinctive, impactful design by using a combination of sophisticated, high-tech features on pure and rich volumes, while providing a unique space as a futuristic EV.
"We want our products to deliver an instinctive and natural experience that improves the daily lives of our customers. Our aim is to design the physical experience of our brand and to create original, inventive and exciting electric vehicles. The ideas of our designers and the purpose of the brand are becoming more connected than ever, with our customers at the centre of what we do and influencing every decision that we make."
Matt Robinson - 15 Mar 2021