Photo Source/Copyright: Kia Media
It wasn’t long ago that electric vehicles were thought of as being an impossibility. But in 2021, millions of EVs are taking on pavement across the world, with more joining the community every day.
Kia Motors is looking to make a major splash in this sector and eventually become a leading force.
The Timeline
During the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show, the South Korean automaker announced its plans to become an all-electric automaker with the Imagine by Kia Concept.
Later that year, Kia released the all-electric concept vehicle, the Futuron, followed by another in April 2020.
Now, it’s 2021, and Kia has seemingly evolved past its own expectations by branching out and getting noticed across the sports, purpose-built, and electric vehicle spectrum.
Pandemic Moves to deliver on EV promise
After the first wave of the pandemic, Kia Motors, and parent group Hyundai Motors were in talks to produce a purpose-built vehicle (PBV) production. That, combined with the significant upgrades to the Stinger, the introduction of the K5, and much more, had people wondering if the automaker was actually serious about transitioning to EV.
No chance.
Kia Motors is without a doubt going to take a stake in the EV market, and it begins with their Plan S Strategy. This plan includes a goal of owning 6.6-percent of the global EV market share and 25-percent of all sales coming from eco-friendly vehicles by the end of 2025.
Kia then doubled down on its goals by investing in a new 800-volt battery system for upcoming and future EVs.
Before 2020 came to a close, the Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) and Kia Motors debuted a new BEV platform, called the E-GMP, specifically for electric vehicles and future EV production.
And now they have arrived with the EV6.
Taking notes from the Futuron concept of 2019, this car seems to be cut from the same cloth and some. While at first glance, it looks to be identical to the concept, it’s much more than that starting with the platform it rides on. And while the EV6 does not seem to be “as sporty” as its concept sibling, we can assure you it is.
Performance of the EV6
It was once thought that achieving a sub 4 second 0-60 mph was exclusive for the muscle, sports, and supercars of the world. Not so fast. Because EVs operate on massive batteries, they tend to be quite fast, and the EV6 delivers. With the ability to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 161 mph, this is not your ordinary EV.
Kia is busy building trims for all levels such, as the GT-line, EX Designer Collection, and X-line. The EV6 will also be available in a GT trim and come standard with all-wheel drive and 545 lb-ft of torque.
Also coming with the EV6 is some cool tech such as an augmented reality (AR) heads-up (HUD) display, Remote Smart Parking Assist, Kia Connect, and more.
Stay tuned with all things Kia EV6 before it hits local dealers by clicking here.
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Terry is an avid Nascar fan who grew up attending races at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina, just down the road from his hometown of China Grove, NC. Terry currently resides in Wellington and has been writing for 15 years. He also enjoys watching the Road Runner Looney Tunes cartoon with his two sons in his spare time.