The first Kia built on the E-Gmp platform reserved for the Korean group’s electric cars, the EV6 was designed according to the brand’s new styling philosophy called “Opposites United” which is inspired by the contrasts present in nature and humanity. “This car takes the best of different worlds: it combines the elegance of a fastback, the sportiness of a rally car and the interior spaciousness of a limousine”, says Karim Habib, head of design at Kia, during the virtual presentation of the model.
“We firmly believe that the EV6 is a compelling and relevant model for the new era of electric vehicles. We wanted to create a distinctive and impactful design using a combination of sophisticated, high-tech features on pure, rich volumes,” continues Habib. The Tiger Nose, the signature element of the front end of every Kia brought out by Peter Schreyer, has been rethought to affect the entire front end and has evolved into the ‘Tiger Face’. The daytime running lights have a sleek, modern appearance and include a dynamic light pattern. Below, a low air intake visually widens the front of the car.
The side profile displays a crossover-inspired silhouette. A character line runs along the underside of the doors, curving upwards at the rear wheel arches to visually elongate the car’s profile. The rear shows a sloping C-pillar with a glossy black insert that seems to extend the window glass. At the end of the roofline is a prominent spoiler that channels air downwards where we find a second spoiler under which the full-width LED lights run.
The interior design benefits from the E-Gmp platform designed for the electric cars of the Hyundai-Kia group. Despite its compact exterior dimensions (4.7 metres in length, 1.8 metres in width and 1.5 metres in height), the EV6 has a wheelbase of 2.9 metres which translates into cabin space similar to that of many mid-size SUVs. “People are first attracted to the exterior of cars, but eventually fall in love with the interior, where they spend most of their time. So designing an inspiring space for the EV6 was the most important thing for us. We believe the EV6 can inspire customers by increasing their creativity,” says Jochen Paesen, Vice President for Interior Design. The floorpan houses a 77.4 or 58 kilowatt-hour battery pack and the EV6 is available in three trim levels, EV6, GT Line and GT, and different power versions.
