Kia Motors, a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co, has announced the commencement of pre-orders for its inaugural all-electric model, the EV6, in China. Starting from June 28, Chinese consumers can secure their EV6 by making a pre-order payment of RMB 666 ($92). However, only 1,000 units of the imported model will be made available within China, according to Kia's recent statement.
While Kia has not disclosed the specific pricing details for the EV6 in China, the starting price for the model in the United States is listed as $42,600 on the company's official website.
The EV6 is built on Kia's dedicated electric platform, known as the E-GMP, and features a 2,900 mm wheelbase. It offers several all-electric, zero-emission powertrain options, including a long-range variant equipped with a 77.4 kWh battery pack, as well as a standard-range version with a 58 kWh battery pack.
In terms of performance, the standard-range rear-wheel drive EV6 boasts a maximum power of 125 kW and a peak torque of 350 Nm. On the other hand, the standard-range four-wheel drive variant delivers a maximum power of 173 kW and a peak torque of 605 Nm. The latter can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in a swift 6.2 seconds.
Moving to the long-range models, the rear-wheel drive version generates a maximum power of 168 kW, accompanied by 350 Nm of torque. Meanwhile, the long-range four-wheel drive variant showcases even more impressive capabilities, with a maximum power of 239 kW and a peak torque of 605 Nm. Accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, this particular model achieves the feat in just 5.2 seconds.
Kia's EV6 supports 800 V charging, enabling a quick charge from 10 percent to 80 percent in a mere 18 minutes. Moreover, the company claims that a 4.5-minute charge for the long-range, two-wheel drive version adds an additional 100 km of range.
Kia formally announced its entry into the Chinese electric vehicle market at an event held on March 20, where it revealed the EV5 concept, EV9 concept, and the EV6 GT. Looking ahead, Kia has outlined its ambitious plans for the Chinese market, including the launch of its flagship electric SUV, the EV9, in 2024. Additionally, an entry-level all-electric SUV is slated for 2025, followed by a premium electric sedan based on the next-generation EV-specific platform in 2026, and a mid-size all-electric SUV in 2027.
With an eye on the future, Kia aims to achieve a total sales volume of 450,000 units in China by 2030, with new energy models constituting 40 percent of that figure, as per their previously announced roadmap.
