Kia reveals EV6 specs before New Zealand launch

Thursday, 20 January 2022

Watch Kia's latest EV - the EV6 - take on some serious performance cars.

Kia New Zealand has revealed model details of its highly-anticipated new EV, the striking-looking EV6.

The EV6 will come to New Zealand in four different guises with two different batteries – a 58kWh standard range and 77.4kWh long range. While the smaller battery is the same size as the one in the Hyundai Ioniq 5 that shares the EV6’s E-GMP platform, Hyundai only claims 72.6kWh for its larger battery.

The EV6 range will kick off with the rear-wheel drive Air that is available as either with the smaller battery, or a long-range version with the larger battery, and comes standard with LED headlights, daytime running lights and rear combination lamps, dual zone climate control, a power memory driver’s seat, an integrated 12.3-inch dash cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

Kia New Zealand has revealed details around the local line up of its new all-electric EV6, due here later this year.

Standard safety and assist systems includes smart cruise control with Stop and Go function, lane keep assist, lane follow assist and forward collision avoidance assist that detects vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and junction turning.

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Kia says the EV6 has a longer wheelbase than the Sorento SUV, but close to that of the departing Stinger sedan.

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The EV6 will initially be available in New Zealand in Air, Earth and GT-Line models.

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The EV6 shares its basic underpinnings with the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

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Next come the two AWD models – the Earth and the GT Line – that both feature the 77.4kWh battery, while the Earth adds heated and powered ‘Premium Relaxation’ seats, a heated steering wheel and an augmented reality head-up display to the Air’s specification.

The GT-Line then scores 20-inch alloy wheels, ventilated front seats, a 14-speaker Meridian premium audio system, adaptive LED headlights and extra collision avoidance systems over the Earth.

While it has yet to disclose local pricing, Kia New Zealand did reveal that a remote smart park assist function and a ‘Vehicle to Load’ (V2L) and ‘Vehicle to Vehicle’ (V2V) plug (which makes the EV6 a power source on wheels capable of supporting electrical appliances, power tools to camping equipment), will be available as optional extras, depending on model, while the GT-Line will also be able to be optioned with a power sliding and tilting sunroof.

Kia says that the EV6 Air RWD Long Range can travel 528km on a single charge, while All-Wheel-Drive models are capable of covering approximately 506km between charges, it has yet to reveal any performance or charging information for local models.

However, Kia has already revealed overseas that the EV6 supports 800-volt charging allowing ultra-fast charging stations to charge it from 10 to 80 per cent in 18 minutes, or add 100km of range in less than five minutes, while power ranges from 125kW/350Nm in 58kWh/2WD models to 239kW/605Nm in those with the larger battery and all-wheel drive.

Of particular appeal for many Kiwi motorists is the availability of up to 1,600kg of braked towing capacity with the optional towbar, although, again this is model dependent.

Missing from the launch line up announcement is the hot GT model that uses the larger battery pack and two motors. With power increased to 430kW and torque up to 740Nm, the GT will hit 100kmh in 3.5 seconds, and will no doubt make it here eventually.

“The EV6 is arguably the most eagerly anticipated launch of all-time for Kia in New Zealand, to say that we are excited would be an understatement,” said Todd McDonald, Managing Director of Kia New Zealand.

“The EV6 delivers striking aesthetics, the very latest EV technology together with a locally tuned handling package. Furthermore, it offers fast-charging capability, generous interior space, impressive performance attributes as well as the ability to drive a significant distance on a single charge.”

While Kia initially expected to land the EV6 here late last year, it now says the first examples will arrive in the country “towards the beginning” of the second quarter of 2022.