The Kia EV6 made history as the first Korean car to win the European Car of the Year title in 2022. It's also currently the fifth best-selling electric car in Ireland. Now, three years after its launch, Kia has given its popular EV6 model fresh new looks and even more all-electric range.
The Kia EV6 was the second best selling EV car for 242 registrations (July registrations ).
Looks
The front of the EV6 now incorporates sleek daytime running lights (DRLs ) that feature Kia’s 'Star Map' signature lighting, giving the car a futuristic and sporty look. The overall aesthetic is further raised by a wing-shaped bumper design, as well as the flowing character line that seamlessly connects the bonnet to the lower section of the vehicle.
A new wheel design has been incorporated to deliver what Kia calls a "sophisticated personality". At the rear, the combination lamps have been enhanced with Star Map lighting technology with the aim of visually amplifying the vehicle's sense of width. The wing-shaped design as seen on the front bumper is reflected in the lower part of the rear bumper. In addition, the EV6 GT-Line model elevates the exterior design with even more dynamic front and rear bumpers, additional LED centre lighting bar and exclusive, optional 20-inch wheels.
The EV6 now also features a reinforced body thanks to stronger, thicker B-pillars, and is equipped with a seven-airbag safety system, including a front centre airbag for maximum safety for driver and passengers.
Depending on trim level, the EV6 now offers six exterior colours, including the introduction of the 'Wolf Grey' finish and other options such as 'White Pearl', 'Interstellar Gray', 'Midnight Black', 'Glacier White', and 'Runway Red'.
Interior
Inside, the updated EV6 features a newly refined steering wheel, panoramic curved display and new ambient lighting. For added convenience, a fingerprint recognition system is integrated into the centre console, allowing users to start the car without a smart key or digital key, load their driver profile and complete authentication for access to other services.
The new EV6’s wireless charging pad is now able to charge at 15W power and features an improved smartphone compartment. Each EV6 variant features a different upholstery. The ‘GT-Line’ model features a dedicated black and off-white colour scheme.
Power
Kia has equipped the latest EV6 with a new, fourth-generation battery. Thanks to its higher energy density, the capacity has increased from 77.4kWh to 84.0kWh. This, in turn, translates into a higher range, with the vehicle now said to be capable of up to 582km (WLTP ) on a single charge (up from 504km ).
According to Kia, the EV6's new 84kWh battery can be recharged from 10-80 per cent in less than 20 minutes thanks to its 800V technology and a peak charging performance of 258kW (up from 239kW compared to previous EV6 ).
Kia says the enhancement comes from the improved conductivity of battery cell gap filler of the new battery generation, which improves the temperature management and thermal distribution while charging. Furthermore, the battery is now 1kg lighter besides its bigger capacity.
Customers can also choose between RWD, single motor configuration and AWD, dual motor configuration, with the latter said to deliver a maximum of 239kW of power and 605Nm of torque.
To further refine driving comfort, Kia says the new EV6 features upgraded frequency selective suspension dampers to deliver improved stability on the uneven surfaces. Kia has also focused on reducing motor noise by enhancing the rear motor's sound insulation to improve overall refinement and the driving experience.
The upgraded Kia EV6 is expected in Ireland early next year, with pricing to be announced closer to then.
