Kia EV6 will be the brand’s first contender in the growing Indian electric vehicle segment.
We had recently reported that Kia India is readying the all-electric EV6 for an India launch. Now, a first sighting of the Kia EV6 has been reported from Hyderabad. The EV6 – its first EV offering in the country – is expected to launch sometime in May or June this year.
- Kia EV6 seen in India
- Expected to launch by May-June 2022
- Will be sold as a fully imported unit
Kia EV6: what all is known?
Kia is set to bring the EV6 as a full-import in the Indian market, and, hence, no changes are expected to be made to its design, features, e-GMP platform or electric powertrain. The EV6 uses Kia’s latest ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy that gives the electric crossover a striking overall design.
On the inside, the Kia EV6 will feature a dual-screen layout comprising of one screen for the digital dials and another for the infotainment system. The EV6 offers connected car tech, a new two-spoke steering wheel, an augmented reality heads-up display, and a number of ADAS (advanced driver assistance safety features). It remains to be seen if the ADAS will make it to India, but Kia’s rival brands like MG are already offering them on some of their cars.
There is no word on what powertrains we will get for our market, but globally the car comes with a variety of configurations. These include a 58kWh battery pack that is offered in two configurations – rear-wheel drive (RWD) layout with 170hp single-motor, or in all-wheel drive (AWD) layout with dual- motor set-up that makes 235hp.
Also available is a larger 77.4kWh battery pack that can be had with a 229hp single-motor in RWD guise, 325hp dual-motor in AWD guise, or in the range-topping, performance oriented GT variant with dual-motor AWD layout putting out 585hp and 740Nm.
It is likely that Kia will offer the EV6 with multiple configurations in India, giving buyers more choice in terms of range and performance. The car spied in India was in the GT guise, so we can assume that the range-topping version would be available for our market.
Kia India’s future EV plans
The EV6 will kickstart Kia and Hyundai’s EV plans for India that includes bringing six all-electric models by 2024. Besides the EV6, Kia is set to bring the new e-Niro and a mass market electric SUV, while Hyundai will come with the Ioniq 5, Kona Electric facelift, and a mass market EV SUV of its own.
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