The Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the Kia EV6 are set to arrive in India soon. Now a new report has revealed the exact times when we can expect these two south Korean flagship EVs to arrive in India.
According to the report, Kia will be the first of the two South Korean brands to bring its EV into India. The Kia EV6 will be launched in India in May.
The Kia EV6 will be initially imported into the country as a completely built unit (CBU). The article also claims that the EV6 will be priced above the Rs 50 lakh mark when it arrives in India next month. The Kia EV6 will eventually switch to local assembly with CKD (completely knocked down) kits. This is expected to happen by 2023.
Hyundai’s version of the same EV, which bears the Ioniq 5 moniker will arrive a few months after its Kia sibling. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 will be launched at the end of October 2022. Unlike its more premium twin, the Ioniq 5 will be assembled at Hyundai’s Chennai assembly plant from the start. Hyundai, claims the report, is expected to price the Ioniq 5 EV between Rs 35 and 40 lakh (all prices mentioned are ex-showroom).
Both the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the Kia EV6 are basically the same vehicle underneath with different bodies on top. Both the Ioniq 5 and the Kia EV6 sit on the Hyundai Motor Group’s E-GMP skateboard style platform. This platform features an 800V electrical architecture that allows both the EV6 and Ioniq 5 to charge at power outputs of up to 350kW.
Also, don’t let the design of the Hyundai mess with your head about the size of these EVs. Both the Kia EV6 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 are more than 4.6 metres long. The Hyundai has the longer wheelbase of the duo which measures 3,000mm long. The Kia’s wheelbase is 100mm shorter at 2,900mm.
The Kia is the more powerful of the duo with its dual-motor all-wheel-drive GT-Line version spitting out 321bhp (239kW) and 605Nm of peak torque. This top-spec GT-Line EV6 variant offers a range of 441 kilometres on a single charge (EPA testing). A more powerful GT version of the EV6 is currently under development with 577bhp and 740Nm of torque on tap.
The Ioniq 5, on the other hand, is expected to come in its more sedate rear-wheel-drive form with around 168bhp and 350Nm on tap. This variant of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 offers a range of 354 kilometres as per EPA testing.
The properly mental spec of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 features the same dual motor 321bhp, 605Nm setup as the Kia EV6 GT-Line model. This version of the Ioniq 5 offers a range of 412 kilometres as per the EPA testing process.
Thoughts On the Kia EV6 & Hyundai Ioniq 5
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 will be the flagship vehicles in India for the two Hyundai Motor Group car companies. Despite looking quite small in images, both EVs are quite large-sized crossover SUVs. Both should prove to be popular EVs for those looking for a premium pure electric SUV that offers quite a good bang for your buck especially if the predicted prices hold up to scrutiny.
Keyword: Kia EV6 & Hyundai Ioniq 5 India Launch Details Revealed