Dedicated 3-row EV for India from Kia in the works

The South Korean automaker Kia recently set its foot in the Indian EV segment with its latest launch the EV6 electric crossover and it seems the company is enjoying the praises that it has received till now. And to continue this blissful experience of its EV acceptance in the country, the company has also revealed that it is planning to introduce its first mass-market, India-focused electric vehicle in 2025. Kia added that this upcoming electric vehicle will have an RV (recreational vehicle) body style. It is widely believed that it will be a three-row offering very similar to the Kia’s current outgoing RV Carens.

Hardeep Brar, Kia India’s VP and Head of Marketing, also divulged into a few more key details of the company’s new electric vehicle. He stated that Kia’s new RV would be a completely new dedicated electric vehicle that will be built on a skateboard platform. The same type of platform is seen on the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq5. A skateboard platform accommodates a wide range of body styles as well as the installation of a car’s batteries in the floor. This lowers the centre of gravity, allowing for more cabin space. As a result, if we get a Carens-style electric car, this platform will allow for a big cabin with many of seating options.

During the announcement of this forthcoming RV, the company refrained from revealing any technological capabilities. But it is expected to have a range of 400-500km with a single motor configuration. The model will most likely be a luxury offering, similar to other Kia vehicles, but not as luxurious as the Carnival MPV. It will be one of 14 electric vehicles (EVs) in Kia’s portfolio by 2027. As the company said that it would be a mass-market product, we can expect this new EV to be offered at a starting price of less than Rs 20 lakh, but like everything else, nothing is confirmed.

Also read: 10 DC Design cars & how they look in the REAL world: Maruti Swift to Mahindra XUV500

Although the model that we do know about everything is the company’s latest EV product – the EV6 crossover. Kia is offering this unique EV in two variants. The first is the GT Line variant which is priced at Rs. 59.95 lakhs ex-showroom and second is the GT Line AWD model, which has been priced at Rs. 64.95 lakhs ex-showroom. The prices are on the higher side because Kia is using CBU or Completely Built Unit route.

The EV6 will come with a ton of features and creature comforts such as 64 colour ambient lighting, LED tail lamps with sequential turn indicators, electric sunroof, LED fog lamps, flush door handles, 19-inch crystal cut alloy wheels, rear light bar and solar glass. It will also get metal scuff plates, ventilated front seats, vegan leather-wrapped steering wheel, anti-glare rearview mirror, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, sporty alloy pedals, dual-zone climate control, wireless charger, multiple drive modes, smart key, push-button to start/stop, 10-way adjustable driver seat with memory function and much more.

The EV6 also comes with ADAS or Advanced Driver Aids System. So, you get Blind Spot Detection, Blind Spot Collision Assist, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Safe Exit Assist, Lane Keep Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Avoidance, Rear Cross Traffic Avoidance, Adaptive Cruise control with Stop and go functionality and Lane Follow Assist.

As for the performance, the RWD version gets a single motor at the rear axle. It produces 229 Ps of max power and 350 Nm of peak torque. The all-wheel-drive version produces 325 Ps of max power and 605 Nm of peak torque. Kia claims that EV6 can hit 100 kmph in 3.5 seconds. And for its driving range & battery size, it will come equipped with a 77.4 kWh battery pack and The driving range is 528 km as per the WLTP test. The charging times depend on the type of charger that you are using. If you use a 350 kW fast charger then the battery can charge from 10 percent to 80 percent in 18 minutes. But if you use a 50 kWh charger then it will take 73 minutes. In the foreign markets, Kia also offers a smaller 58 kWh battery pack.

Also read: Upcoming 2022 Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza rendered

The South Korean automaker Kia recently set its foot in the Indian EV segment with its latest launch the EV6 electric crossover and it seems the company is enjoying the praises that it has received till now. And to continue this blissful experience of its EV acceptance in the country, the company has also revealed that it is planning to introduce its first mass-market, India-focused electric vehicle in 2025. Kia added that this upcoming electric vehicle will have an RV (recreational vehicle) body style. It is widely believed that it will be a three-row offering very similar to the Kia’s current outgoing RV Carens.

Hardeep Brar, Kia India’s VP and Head of Marketing, also divulged into a few more key details of the company’s new electric vehicle. He stated that Kia’s new RV would be a completely new dedicated electric vehicle that will be built on a skateboard platform. The same type of platform is seen on the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq5. A skateboard platform accommodates a wide range of body styles as well as the installation of a car’s batteries in the floor. This lowers the centre of gravity, allowing for more cabin space. As a result, if we get a Carens-style electric car, this platform will allow for a big cabin with many of seating options.

During the announcement of this forthcoming RV, the company refrained from revealing any technological capabilities. But it is expected to have a range of 400-500km with a single motor configuration. The model will most likely be a luxury offering, similar to other Kia vehicles, but not as luxurious as the Carnival MPV. It will be one of 14 electric vehicles (EVs) in Kia’s portfolio by 2027. As the company said that it would be a mass-market product, we can expect this new EV to be offered at a starting price of less than Rs 20 lakh, but like everything else, nothing is confirmed.

Also read: 10 DC Design cars & how they look in the REAL world: Maruti Swift to Mahindra XUV500

Although the model that we do know about everything is the company’s latest EV product – the EV6 crossover. Kia is offering this unique EV in two variants. The first is the GT Line variant which is priced at Rs. 59.95 lakhs ex-showroom and second is the GT Line AWD model, which has been priced at Rs. 64.95 lakhs ex-showroom. The prices are on the higher side because Kia is using CBU or Completely Built Unit route.

The EV6 will come with a ton of features and creature comforts such as 64 colour ambient lighting, LED tail lamps with sequential turn indicators, electric sunroof, LED fog lamps, flush door handles, 19-inch crystal cut alloy wheels, rear light bar and solar glass. It will also get metal scuff plates, ventilated front seats, vegan leather-wrapped steering wheel, anti-glare rearview mirror, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, sporty alloy pedals, dual-zone climate control, wireless charger, multiple drive modes, smart key, push-button to start/stop, 10-way adjustable driver seat with memory function and much more.

The EV6 also comes with ADAS or Advanced Driver Aids System. So, you get Blind Spot Detection, Blind Spot Collision Assist, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Safe Exit Assist, Lane Keep Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Avoidance, Rear Cross Traffic Avoidance, Adaptive Cruise control with Stop and go functionality and Lane Follow Assist.

As for the performance, the RWD version gets a single motor at the rear axle. It produces 229 Ps of max power and 350 Nm of peak torque. The all-wheel-drive version produces 325 Ps of max power and 605 Nm of peak torque. Kia claims that EV6 can hit 100 kmph in 3.5 seconds. And for its driving range & battery size, it will come equipped with a 77.4 kWh battery pack and The driving range is 528 km as per the WLTP test. The charging times depend on the type of charger that you are using. If you use a 350 kW fast charger then the battery can charge from 10 percent to 80 percent in 18 minutes. But if you use a 50 kWh charger then it will take 73 minutes. In the foreign markets, Kia also offers a smaller 58 kWh battery pack.

Also read: Upcoming 2022 Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza rendered