Kia is undergoing a conceptual transformation, and the EV6, which is also the automaker’s first dedicated EV, is the first vehicle to emerge from the current “Opposites United” concept. The electric compact SUV, which is based on Hyundai Motor Group’s Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), will be unveiled with more information about the vehicle’s specifications later in april.
To say the least, the latest design direction is adventurous. When combined with Kia’s Digital Tiger Face front, the EV6’s sleek roofline and pronounced haunches offer the vehicle a sporty and aggressive feel. The rear window slopes down to a spoiler, which houses a light bar that runs the length of the vehicle’s back. It may not be good for cargo space, but it does make the car stand out visually.
The design is intended to achieve “ultimate aerodynamic efficiency,” according to the automaker. It will be fascinating to see how this plays out in the wind tunnel. Hopefully, Kia will announce a drag coefficient number later this month during a more robust online reveal.
The interior of the EV6 is more conventional, but it features bold angles and lines, especially in the centre console, where the start button interrupts the path of a 45-degree angle piece of trim running down the centre stack. Unlike the Hyundai Ioniq 5, which will be launched in 2022, the EV6 will not have a sliding centre console or accessible footrests for the driver to use while waiting for the vehicle to charge.
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“This is an opportunity that we have right now to redefine transportation and mobility,” Karim Habib, senior VP and head of global design for Kia, told Car and Driver when asked about any reservations about straying too far from mainstream automotive design for the EV6. He went on to say, “I believe our designs should reflect this. Our designs, in my opinion, need to be very certain about their future orientation.”
Although we don’t have data on the vehicle ahead of its larger launch, we expect the EV6 to produce close to 215 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque based on what we know about the Ioniq 5, which is designed on the same E-GMP architecture. On the battery front, we expect a 77.4-kWh battery pack with a range of between 258 and 290 miles. Pricing will most likely start about $45,000, just like the Ioniq 5.
Kia’s latest Opposites United design concept will be applied to all upcoming vehicles. It’s unclear if all of the latest Kias would have the same bold design as the EV6, but the company has stated that 11 electric vehicles will be available by 2026.
