2021 Kia EV6 unveiled: All-electric model marks new era for Korean brand
The 2021 Kia EV6 has been officially unveiled, providing a look at the brand's new battery-powered future.
Sharing the same architecture as the recently-unveiled Hyundai Ioniq 5, the EV6 is the first dedicated electric model from Kia, with powertrains expected to be offered with both rear- and all-wheel drive.
Information released at the company's investor presentation earlier this year revealed the EV6 will offer a driving range of 500km from a single charge, with 100km of range available from just 4 minutes of charging.
The company has not yet released details on the powertrain to be offered in the EV6, but the company claims a brisk 0-100km/h time of 3 seconds will be possible in an all-wheel-drive, high-performance variant in the future.
While the Ioniq 5 has adopted a very angular design, the Kia EV6 has a more fluid profile, with flowing lines over the bonnet continuing to the D-pillar, and a strong diagonal which continues to the full-width LED tail-lights.
The new look is part of an updated design philosophy from the Korean brand – accompanying the recently-unveiled logo – which will be adopted by new Kia models in the future.
"This is an opportunity we have right now to redefine transportation and mobility," Karim Habib, head of global design for Kia told media on Friday.
"For a brand like Kia – which is available to many more people than more expensive brands – we want to make that idea of movement, and mobility, and comfort, and safety, and flexible mobility available to many – and I think our designs need to show that. I think our designs need to be quite confident in their orientation to the future."
Kia calls the new front-end design their 'Digital Tiger Face', and is a result of a collaboration between company designers in Korea, Germany, and the US.
Inside, a continuous screen comprising twin 12.0-inch displays stretches across the dashboard, and includes a digital instrument cluster for the driver as well as the car's infotainment systems.
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) controls are accessed via haptic buttons mounted below the screen, while a drive selector wheel is located on the centre console.
Kia Australia says it has its hand up for the new battery-powered model, but it has yet to be confirmed for our market.
Full details for the 2021 Kia EV6 will be revealed in a live online broadcast later this month.