Kia EV6 teased

Kia has released teaser images of the all-new 2021 Kia EV6, an SUV that represents the manufacturer’s first foray into the world of electric-only models – without combustion-engine variants in the range.

As recently as January, Kia revealed that its first exclusively battery-electric model line would be an SUV built on Hyundai-Kia’s Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP).

But the company didn’t name the vehicle at the time.

Now that the first EV from the brand has been revealed to be called the Kia EV6, this provides some further context for the other models in the range which will apply the same nomenclature, with the smallest vehicle to be known as the Kia EV1 and the largest model in the current pipeline to be dubbed the Kia EV9.

The latter is anticipated to be a flagship SUV.

The images of the 2021 Kia EV6 hint at a stylish design that appears to be a package similar in size and proportions to the Audi Q3 Sportback or BMW X2.

There is a distinct gap between the tyre and the rear wheel-arch in one photo of the EV6’s rear flanks, verifying that this vehicle will indeed ride higher than a conventional hatchback.

And although it’s hard to make out from the pics, Kia seems to have adopted a more conventional look for the EV6 than we’re accustomed to seeing in EV design.

“EV6 is the embodiment of both our brand purpose, ‘Movement that inspires’, and our new design philosophy,” said Kia’s global design chief Karim Habib.

“It has been designed to inspire every journey by offering an instinctive and natural experience that improves the daily lives of our customers and provide user ownership that is simple, intuitive and integrated.

“Our aim is to design the physical experience of our brand and to create bold, original and inventive electric vehicles.”

Kia has said little more about the Kia EV6, however, and has let slip nothing at all concerning the mooted electric sports car or the heavy-duty electric SUV that is expected to battle it out in the marketplace with the Toyota LandCruiser.

Australian launch timing for the Kia EV6 is still to be confirmed.

Kia Australia’s first EV will be a full-electric version of the Kia Niro small SUV that launches soon.