Kia debuts new design language with 2022 EV6

Kia looks just about dead-set on transforming its corporate identity. More than a month after announcing a new logo and slogan, the South Korean carmaker is giving the world a glimpse of things to come with its updated design philosophy, showcased on its first dedicated battery electric vehicle, the EV6.

Kia says its new EV6 electric vehicle ushers in a new design language that will be seen on future models

As the first of 11 planned electric vehicles (EVs) planned all the way to 2026, the EV6 rides on the new Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP). If the chassis name sounds familiar, that’s because it’s the same one that underpins the Ioniq 5 EV by parent company Hyundai.

An impending shift to electrification has the world’s car brands scrambling to get on board, and Kia is no exception. The company says that its fresh design calls positive forces and natural energy to mind, representing the move towards more sustainable means of propulsion.

According to Kia Senior Vice President and Global Design Head Karim Habib, the EV6 will revolve around a combination of human-centered, progressive aesthetics and electric power. “With EV6, we aimed to create a distinctive, impactful design by using a combination of sophisticated, high-tech features on pure and rich volumes, while providing a unique space as a futuristic EV.”  

The design was a collaboration between Kia's global design partners in Korea, Germany, and the U.S.

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All three studios in Kia’s global design network (Korea, Germany, U.S.) collaborated on the EV6. Bearing a crossover-inspired motif, the new model shows a more organic take on Kia’s previous, Euro-centric design. It may not be readily apparent at first glance, but Kia says the iconic ‘Tiger Nose grille’ is still there in spirit as the ‘Digital Tiger Face’ for the electrified era.

The slimmer opening is flanked by a pair of LED headlamps featuring a sequential light pattern, surrounded by prominent daytime running lights. Optimizing aerodynamics by channeling air directly to the car’s underside, the air intake placed under the front bumper also visually adds to the vehicle’s width.

Two spoilers mark the EV6's rear, along with a wraparound LED tail lamp cluster

A raked-back windshield complements the character lines that point to the EV6’s flanks. The roofline and body meet just beyond the C-pillar, after which the rear glass slides down towards the raised lower spoiler and wraparound LED tail lamp cluster.

As far as the interior is concerned, the E-GMP platform allows the EV6 more space for passengers and cargo, the dashboard’s brushed surface is dominated by an audio, visual, and navigation (AVN) display angled towards the driver. Haptic controls for onboard climate control are located below the central display, while a large, fully digital instrument panel lies just beyond the multi-function steering wheel. Kia says that the lightweight seats are made from recycled materials.

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The interior is as roomy as it is sophisticated

For propulsion, the EV6 is expected to feature a similar setup to the Ioniq 5, with both rear-wheel and all-wheel electric drivetrains. A 77.4-kWh battery pack can likely be charged from five to 80 percent in less than 20 minutes via fast charging, and should be good for an estimated range of 480 km. At launch, the Kia EV6 is estimated to cost £35,000 (Php 2,363,347 in current exchange rates).

Get a glimpse at the future of motoring at Philkotse.com.