KIA EV6 Crossover Makes Debut

After unveiling the teaser photos of the EV6 last month, Kia has officially revealed the Kia EV6 family-friendly crossover. The EV6 is built on a Kia-developed platform designed exclusively for battery electric vehicles.  Kia has also impressed us with the EV6 GT, a high-performance version of the latest electric vehicle. The GT-badged hot version of EV6 will top a variety of two- and all-wheel-drive models with a choice of battery sizes that will take "electric output to another level," according to the company.It's an XC60-sized electric family car that can outrun a Lamborghini Urus in a drag race. With its broad bulging profile and high ground clearance, it looks like a hybrid between a hatchback, a sedan, and even a race vehicle. The roof drops down, the wings bulge purposefully, and the specifics are razor-sharp.The EV6 GT is the top-of-the-line model, with all-wheel drive and front and rear electric motors delivering a combined 585 horsepower and 740Nm of torque. It is supposed to accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in just 3.5 seconds and achieve a maximum speed of 260 kilometers per hour, making it not only the fastest Kia ever created, but much more powerful and quicker than the Porsche Taycan, which recently set the world record for indoor speed.It's only available with the larger 77.4kwh battery pack, and it has a few visual differences from the other models. Larger wheels and tires, as well as more aggressive front and rear distinguish the GT from other EV6s. The yellow brake calipers complement the yellow interior accents, and the seats are sporty and aggressively bolstered.Kia has done an outstanding job in the past of trying to stuff a long-range, good-value electric drivetrain into the Niro, so we can expect the EV6 to produce consistent outcomes. The EV6 is available in two battery sizes – 77.4kWh and 58kWh – at the lower end of the spectrum. The larger battery pack is mated to a 229hp rear-wheel drive (RWD) engine and a pair of engines, totaling 325hp in all-wheel drive (AWD) form in non-GT guise.The 58kWh battery pack is also available in two different configurations: 170hp RWD and 235hp AWD. Based on real-world results, that's a respectable efficiency for a battery pack of that scale. However, Kia is only pushing the one range number, suggesting that all other EV6 variants will get fewer ranges. Still enough for everyday commuting, but certain hybrid car models won't be up to the challenge of long road trips.Built on the EV6's E-GMP platform, which it shares with the Hyundai Ioniq 5, a performance-oriented electric that will launch later this year. According to Kia, it has an 800V charging architecture that can fill up to 80% capacity in 18 minutes and add 80 miles of range in less than 4.5 minutes. The EV6 also has a ‘vehicle-to-load' option that can supply up to 3.6kW of power to external devices, including other electric vehicles.Kia has also revealed more information about the EV6's key tech features, such as a virtual reality head-up monitor that displays ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems) warnings, speed data, and turn-by-turn navigation guidance. The new edition of Kia's connectivity kit provides EV-specific functions as well as a slew of specialized driver protection tools.Because of its space, architecture, range, dynamics, and quick charging, Kia claims the EV6 and future cars based on this platform are an ‘EV without compromise.' The first electric vehicle will be available for purchase in the second half of this year. The basic model is projected to launch at about $45,000, with the performance-oriented GT pushing much higher than that.