Kia has confirmed its first dedicated all-electric model, the EV6 mid-size SUV, will launch in Australia without its attention-stealing GT high-performance flagship – but it’s not all bad news.
Speaking to CarsGuide, a Kia Australia spokesperson revealed the EV6’s local release date had somewhat been pushed to the first half of 2022, having originally been scheduled for late this year or early next. Of course, with the new timing, the latter is still a possibility.
Either way, they added that the EV6 would enter showrooms without the GT, although it will still be released, but just at a later date, the timing of which is yet to be disclosed.
That said, the GT’s late arrival doesn’t come as much of a surprise, as other markets have been anticipating it to become available to them late next year, meaning Australia can expect to get it either then or in early 2023.
The long wait for GT buyers is likely to be worth it, though, as the high-performance flagship takes the EV6 to the next level thanks to a 430kW/740Nm dual-motor powertrain that helps it to sprint from a standstill to 100km/h in just 3.5 seconds, while its top speed is 260km/h.
With a 77.4kWh battery in tow, the all-wheel-drive GT has a targeted WLTP-certified range of 405km, with it and the wider EV6 line-up able to DC fast charge from 10 to 80 per cent capacity (with a CCS plug) in as quickly as 18 minutes thanks to 400/800V architecture.
So, what will the EV6’s local launch line-up look like? Well, Kia Australia is playing its cards close to its proverbial chest, but the mid-range RWD-77.4kWh and AWD-77.6kWh variants seem likeliest, while the entry-level RWD-58.0kWh and AWD-58.0kWh are a chance, too.
For reference, the RWD-58.0kWh, RWD-77.4kWh, AWD-58.0kWh and AWD-77.6kWh combinations produce 125kW/350Nm, 168kW/350Nm, 173kW/605Nm and 239kW/605Nm respectively, and are globally available in two grades, including a sporty-looking GT-Line.
Performance-wise, the RWD-58.0kWh, RWD-77.6kWh, AWD-58.0kWh and AWD-77.6kWh complete the triple-digit sprint in 8.5s, 7.5s, 6.2s and 5.2s respectively.
And the RWD-58.0kWh, RWD-77.6kWh and AWD-77.6kWh’s ranges are 394km, 528km and 506km respectively. Of note, the AWD-58.0kWh’s distance between charges is yet to be publicised.
Of course, Australian pricing and full specification details for the Hyundai Ioniq 5-rivalling EV6 will be confirmed closer to its launch, so stay tuned.
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