Kia EV6 Debuts With A Porsche Taycan Beating 0-62 MPH Time Of 3.5 Seconds

What accelerates from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 3.5 seconds and has an 800V charging capability? If you guessed the Porsche Taycan, you’d be wrong as those impressive specs belong to the all-new Kia EV6.

Based on the company’s first dedicated electric vehicle platform, the EV6 is a revolutionary vehicle and the “embodiment of the new Kia.”

That’s clearly visible from the outside as the EV6 adopts the company’s new “Opposites United” design philosophy. It’s supposed to evoke “positive forces and natural energy” while also incorporating “contrasting combinations of sharp stylistic elements and sculptural shapes.”

Corporate speak aside, the EV6 has a stylish exterior with a slender grille that is flanked by distinctive headlights featuring sequential elements. Further below, there’s an aerodynamic bumper with a rectangular intake and small vertical slats at the outside edges.

While the front end is interesting, the profile really stands out as the model has a short hood and streamlined bodywork. Blacked out A-pillars help to visually expand the greenhouse, while an upward sweeping line emphasizes the car’s length.

Those aren’t the only notable styling features as the EV6 has a ‘floating’ roof and an upper rear spoiler that wraps around the sides of the vehicle. The latter channels air to the lower spoiler, which acts as an extension of the car’s flowing taillights.

In terms of size, the EV6 measures 184.3 inches (4,680 mm) long, 74 inches (1,880 mm) wide and 61 inches (1,550 mm) tall, with a wheelbase that spans 114.2 inches (2,900 mm). This makes it 4.7 inches (119 mm) shorter, 0.8 inches (20 mm) narrower and 5.7 inches (145 mm) lower than the Sorento. Despite this, the EV6’s wheelbase is 3.4 inches (86 mm) longer than the seven-seat crossover.

A High-Tech And Eco-Friendly Interior

The unique styling continues in the cabin as drivers will find a minimalist dashboard that is topped by a 12-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-inch infotainment system with curved displays. The company didn’t say much about them, but the infotainment system has Kia Connect technology that allows for over-the-air updates and real-time services.  As a result, owners can find nearby charging stations, monitor their charging status and see their current range.

Other highlights include a two-spoke steering wheel, futuristic switchgear and an augmented reality head-up display. The model can also be equipped with a 14-speaker Meridian audio system that has “Active Sound Design” technology, which is an artificial noise generator that adjusts to the vehicle speed.

Elsewhere, the EV6 has a floating center console and yellow accents.  The model also has “relaxation seats,” which are lightweight and covered in fabrics created using recycled plastics.

The generous wheelbase allows for a spacious interior and an accommodating cargo compartment that holds up to 18.4 cubic feet (520 liters) of luggage. That can be expanded to approximately 45.9 cubic feet (1,300 liters) by folding the rear seats down. If you need more room, the frunk offers up to 1.8 cubic feet (52 liters) of space on European variants while North American models are limited to 0.7 cubic feet (20 liters).

On the safety front, there are an assortment of driver assistance systems such as Lane Following Assist, Safe Exit Assist, Remote Smart Parking Assist and Highway Driving Assist 2. The latter effectively combines adaptive cruise control with a lane centering function, while also enabling drivers to change lanes with a simple tap of the indicator.

Plenty Of Powertrains

The EV6 will be offered in a variety of configurations as there are standard and long range batteries as well as rear- and all-wheel drive.

Kicking things off is a 58 kWh standard range battery, which powers a rear-mounted motor that produces 168 hp (125 kW / 170 PS) and 258 lb-ft (350 Nm) of torque. The all-wheel drive variant gains a second electric motor which gives the model a combined output of 232 hp (173 kW / 235 PS) and 446 lb-ft (605 Nm) of torque. This enables the EV6 to accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in as little as 6.2 seconds.

Upgrading to the 77.4 kWh battery rewards buyers with longer ranges and a more powerful electric motor that develops 225 hp (168 kW / 228 PS) and 258 lb-ft (350 Nm) of torque. The all-wheel drive variant boosts that output to 321 hp (239 kW / 325 PS) and 446 lb-ft (605 Nm) of torque. This enables it to run from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in as little as 5.2 seconds and have a range in excess of 316 miles (510 km) in the WLTP combined cycle.

Sitting at the top of the range is the EV6 GT, which is available exclusively with all-wheel drive and the long range battery. It has a combined output of 577 hp (430 kW / 585 PS) and 546 lb-ft (740 Nm) of torque. That’s pretty impressive and it allows the vehicle to accelerate from 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in a Porsche Taycan 4S-beating 3.5 seconds.

If you keep your foot planted on the accelerator, the EV6 GT should eventually hit a targeted top speed of 162 mph (260 km/h). Besides going fast, the model has a range of 252 miles (405 km) and electronic limited slip differential software that promises to deliver dynamic ride and handling characteristics.

An EV For A New Era

The EV6 rides on the new E-GMP platform and features 400V and 800V charging capabilities. This enables it to go from a 10 to 80 percent charge in just 18 minutes. If you’re short on time, the rear-wheel drive long range EV6 can be given 62 miles (100 km) of range in less than four and a half minutes.

In order to maximize ranges, the EV6 has been equipped with an energy-efficient heat pump that scavenges waste heat from the car’s coolant system. This enables the model to have 80% of the range it would at 77° F (25° C) when temperatures drop to 19° F (-7° C).

Drivers will also find a smart regenerative braking system with six different levels of recuperation, ranging from none to one-pedal driving. There are also has paddle ‘shifters’ that allow drivers to “quickly and easily slow the car and recuperate kinetic energy to maximize driving range and efficiency.”

The EV6 has an integrated charging control unit that allows for a vehicle-to-load function. While that doesn’t sound too exciting, it effectively turns the model into a giant battery which can supply energy to other things. As an example, the EV6 could power an air conditioner and a 55-inch television for more than 24 hours during an outage. The model can also be used to charge another electric vehicle, giving stranded motorists enough juice to get to a nearby charging station.

Kia also took towing into consideration as the EV6 can move items weighing up to 3,527 lbs (1,600 kg). This means it can be used to tow your camper, trailer or boat as long as the battery has more than a 35% charge.

Coming to America Next Year

Kia is accepting reservations in select markets and the EV6 will go on sale in a handful of countries later this year. Unfortunately, the United States isn’t one of them as we’ll have to wait until early 2022. That being said, Kia has high-hopes for the ‘Stinger of EVs’ as they expect to sell 20,000 units annually in the U.S. Worldwide, that number could reach 100,000 units.