Kia India launched their premium electric offering in India today for INR 59.50 lakh for the single motor rear wheel drive version and INR 65 lakh for the all-wheel-drive dual motor version. Known as the EV6, this high-end all-electric crossover is an amazing product that we at MotorScribes got to experience first hand at the Buddh International Circuit recently. A stunning looking machine that delights would be the best way to sum up our experience on the track, for this is a vehicle that does everything right and gives you that ‘kick’ of driving! Just how good was our experience, well read on to find out!
Kia EV6
The Kia EV6 is a vehicle that catches you quite off guard! Pictures don’t do justice to this car until you walk up to it and realize just how big a car it actually is! It is a wide vehicle too with a neat clamshell hood that gives it a nice sporty appeal. The front has a bold design which Kia likes to call the digital interpretation of their ‘Tiger Face’ that is common to all their cars. The lights are nice and sharp and the treatment to the rear is a stunning touch with great attention to detail, especially the LED taillight that runs right across the back. The treatment to the design is rather futuristic and it is a car that you just can’t stop ogling at!
The cabin of the EV6 screams luxury. Kia has gone with a minimalistic approach which has resulted in a rather classy cabin. It is spacious and there are no complaints on how the seats are contoured and spaced to allow for five adults to easily travel on board the EV6. The center console is a fine touch with a two-layer style. While the top level has the armrest, storage box, wireless charger, drive shifter and a few buttons to control various functions, the lower level offers you an added amount of storage. The dashboard is dominated by the large curved display which is split into two screens – one for the driver instrument cluster and the other for the touchscreen infotainment display. The EV6 also sports a large sunroof. For added convenience, you get flush door handles that open as you approach the car, and if you just happen to be sitting around and chilling inside the EV6, it is worth trying out the ‘relax’ mode where the front seats recline into a neat almost-bed like position to let you unwind.
Built on Hyundai’s e-GMP platform, the Kia EV6 is an electric vehicle from the ground up. The batteries are integrated into the floor of the car which means it has a low center of gravity as well. The total battery output is 77.4kWh and the EV6 is offered with two set-ups. The first being a single electric motor mounted at the rear that offers 229PS of power and 350Nm of torque. This version can do the 0-100km/h dash in 7.3 seconds. The more powerful version gets a dual motor set up with a combined output of 325 PS and 605 Nm of torque. This version also gets all-wheel-drive and can do the 0-100km/h run in just 5.2 seconds!
Taking it out on the track was a true revelation of what these numbers actually mean. For starters, we managed to hit the top speed of 192 km/h on the back straight of the BIC track. The EV6 powers up effortlessly and is brisk to hit those three digit speeds. 5.2 seconds is a flash and for a family car to deliver sportscar territory performance is only something that EVs can do! You are literally pushed back in your seat as the car accelerates towards the 100km/h mark and it is a feeling that you really enjoy! The EV6 has a low center of gravity and that coupled with the way the car is set up means that it handles like a charm as well. It is easy to push around corners and the weighted steering wheel feels great and gives you the right input where you always feel in control.
The Kia EV6 is a large crossover that really demonstrates what makes electric vehicles so special! It is a delight to drive, can hit a top speed of 192 km/h and has a 500+km range per charge. It comes with an exceptional list of equipment on board, advanced safety features including numerous guidance systems and aids that mitigate accidents and it also allows you to power up appliances or even charge another EV if required! The EV6 is an interesting bit of machinery that looks stunning and should find a lot of takers in the urban markets to start with.
Kia EV6 Price
The Kia EV6 will be offered as a CBU in India and currently only a hundred units are on offer. Available in two configurations, the EV6 has been decently priced considering the entire package.
The rear-wheel-drive single motor version will retail for INR 59.50 lakh. The all-wheel-drive dual motor version (which we experienced at the BIC) will retail for INR 65 lakh.