Kia EV6 to get 528km range

Kia has updated the performance specifications of the all-new 2022 Kia EV6 ahead of its Australian arrival early next year.

First revealed back in March, the swoopy new five-door electric crossover will join the just-launched Kia Niro EV as part of the South Korean brand’s bourgeoning electric car line-up.

It’s also the first of seven all-new battery-electric models Kia has promised based on its Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) by 2026.

Kia has announced a three-model EV6 line-up: the entry EV6, the EV6 GT-Line and the flagship EV6 GT. The first two are available as both rear- and all-wheel drive, while the GT is AWD only.

The company has now updated some of the performance specifications for the three-model EV6 line-up, while reaffirming an early 2022 Australian introduction is likely for the EV6 and EV6 GT-Line.

It is anticipated the GT flagship won’t lob until later in 2022.

The entry 168kW/350Nm rear-wheel drive Kia EV6 now boasts up to 528km WLTP range when equipped with the most powerful 77.4kWh battery, 18km more than previously claimed.

Opting for 239kW/605Nm all-wheel drive version of the entry EV6 now affords owners a claimed 506km range.

Kia has not provided updated specifications for the rest of the EV6 range.

We already know the EV6 and GT-Line model walk commences with a single e-motor 125kW/350Nm rear-wheel drive charged by the ‘standard range’ 58kWh battery pack. That battery can also be combined with a 173kW/605Nm dual-motor all-wheel drive.

The flagship EV6 GT also comes with the 77.4kWh battery pack, and offers the headline acceleration figure of 0-100km/h in a claimed 3.5 seconds.

Kia says even the garden-variety EV6 all-wheel drive entry model will boast a 0-100km/h claim of 5.2sec when fitted with the most powerful battery.

Kia’s extension in maximum range lends the EV6 another advantage over the Hyundai IONIQ 5 with which it will compete in Australia.

Fitted with the most powerful 72.6kWh battery available, the Hyundai equivalent offers a maximum WLTP range between 470-480km.

Like the IONIQ 5, the EV6 offers both 800V ultra-fast charging and 400V charging.

When hooked up to a 350kW DC fast-charger via its CCS plug, Kia claims an EV6 can recharge from 10 to 80 per cent of battery capacity in just 18 minutes. It can also add 100km of range in less than four-and-a-half minutes.

The EV6 can also regain battery charge via recuperation technologies including a new-generation heat pump and driver-adjustable regenerative braking.

The EV6 includes a vehicle-to-load (V2L) function which can supply up to 3.6kW of power and is capable, as an example, of operating a 55-inch television and air-conditioner simultaneously for more than 24 hours.

The system is also able to charge another EV if needed. As long as the battery charge is over 35 per cent, the EV6 can tow up to 1600kg.

Key EV6 measurements are a 2900mm wheelbase, an overall length of 4680mm (EV6) and 4690mm (GT-Line and GT), width of 1880mm (EV6) and 1890mm (GT-Line and GT), 1550mm height (EV6 and GT-Line) and 1545mm (GT).

Kia isn’t yet disclosing indicative pricing of the EV6 in Australia, but a safe bet suggests the range will commence at about $65,000 plus on-road costs.