First Korean domestic market drive reviews of the EV6 electric crossover
Korean YouTubers show off the Korean domestic market EV6 crossover, in these first drive videos
Kia’s EV6 launch is a little behind that of Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 — perhaps deliberately — with the latter vehicle already in the hands of customers in Korea, Europe and North America. Nevertheless, the first press cars are in the hands of motoring journalists and YouTubers in Korea, and we finally have an opportunity to see what this new model is like on the road.
In the first video, Asian Petrolhead is testing an EV6 GT Line in white, featuring the long-range 77.4 kWh battery with all wheel drive, dual motors with 239 kW (329 PS) and 605 Nm of torque. Kia is targeting an EPA range of 300 miles (482 km) with the variant. Comparing the vehicle to Hyundai’s IONIQ 5, he states that the driving experience is quite similar to the all wheel drive Hyundai, but he preference is for the Kia, based on exterior styling and interior appointments.
In this second video below, Car Scene Korea gets their hands on a Yacht Blue GT Line, and we have to say that viewing the car on the street is totally different to seeing it in a showroom or controlled environment. The EV6 looks purposeful, sporty, and muscular; a very different design language to Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 (which we love by the way).
While there are many similarities on the inside of the EV6 compared to the IONIQ 5, Kia appears to be positioning this car as an upmarket competitor to its sister vehicle, with softer touch materials, doors lined in Alcantara, and a very classy curved panel integrating the instrument cluster and the infotainment display. We quite like what Hyundai has done with its interior, but its nice to see two different characters for the two vehicles.
Kia has provided limited details on the worldwide release of the EV6, But European, North American, Australian and New Zealand customers can expect to see vehicles arrivng in their respective countries sometime in the first half of 2022.
2021 Hyundai Kona Electric crossover to launch in Australia with fresh looks, additional range
Hyundai Australia has confirmed pricing and specifications for the revised 2021 Kona Electric range. The Highlander model starts from $62,000, while the Elite model starts from $66,000. The additional $4,000 buys you a glass sunroof, heated front and rear seats and LED headlights among other items.
More style and equipment for Kona Electric refresh, available to order now
Available in Highlander and Elite trim levels with 150kW motor and 484km WLTP range from $62,000 AUD
Hyundai Australia has confirmed pricing and specifications for the revised 2021 Kona Electric range. The Highlander starts from $62,000, while the Elite starts from $66,000. The additional $4,000 buys you a glass sunroof, heated front and rear seats and LED headlights among other items listed at the bottom of this article.
Mechanically there’s nothing new to differentiate the 2021 Kona Electric from the outgoing model, but that’s no bad thing. This compact crossover has always offered excellent performance, refinement and range, and now Hyundai is making the Kona Electric an even better value proposition. There’s a 150kW (203 PS) single-speed motor, with 395 Nm (291 lb ft) of torque.
Although the battery size remains the same at 64 kWh, WLTP-rated combined range has actually increased by 7.8 percent to 484 kilometres. That puts the Kona Electric up there amongst the most efficient BEVs on sale, and far beyond the rated range of more expensive offerings such as the Audi E-Tron, Jaguar i-Pace and Porsche Taycan 4S.
What’s new with the Kona Electric on the outside?
The front end receives a contemporary look, with the arrow-like daytime running lights and body coloured front complemented by a small lower air intake, vertical air intakes and the recessed light cluster. It’s an evolution of the pre-facelift model, but it’s fresh and well-considered. Without a front “grille”, the charge port door appears to be quite obvious, but hey, at least people will know this is a plug-in from the front.
The new Kona Electric is 25mm longer than the outgoing model, but you’d hardly notice it. New 17 inch alloy wheels—shod in Michelin Primacy4 low rolling resistance tyres—and painted wheel arches give the crossover a hot hatch appearance from the side profile, while a new rear valance and LED tail lights spruce things up at the rear.
The driver’s zone of the 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric.
Is there new technology for 2021?
The 2021 model now includes Hyundai’s suite of SmartSense safety features, including Lane Following Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Assist, Blind Spot Collision Assist and, something we’d like to see from more manufacturers, Safe Exit Warning which alerts occupants to approaching vehicles using the vehicle’s radar sensors should they open a door into traffic.
On the inside, a fully digital 10.25 inch LCD screen functions as the instrument cluster, and is customisable by the user. The Kona Electric also includes remote start, Qi-standard wireless charging, a Harmon Kardon premium audio system, and a leather interior. We’d have liked to see animal-free seating options, but Hyundai is saving that for the E-GMP-based IONIQ 5.
The only options across both models of the Kona Electric are premium paint for $595, and a black/grey interior option for $295. A Phantom Black two-tone roof is also available as a no-cost option, at the expense of a sunroof.
The Kona Electric is on sale in Australia now; we’ll be posting a full review in a few weeks time.
Kona Electric Elite and Highlander Specifications - Australia
Polestar confirms entry into Australian and key Asian markets by end of 2021
Polestar has today announced the expansion of its global footprint in 2021 with the addition of five new markets in the Asia Pacific region.
Polestar expands into five new markets in 2021 including Australia and New Zealand
Polestar to add five new markets across Asia Pacific
Polestar 2 will be available in 18 markets across Europe, North America and Asia Pacific by end of 2021, including Australia, New Zealand and Singapore
Polestar has today announced the expansion of its global footprint in 2021 with the addition of five new markets in the Asia Pacific region. These markets will join three new and previously announced European markets, bringing Polestar’s global footprint to 18 countries by the end of the year. The new markets include South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand.
“The brand is gathering real momentum, and it is great to be expanding with Polestar 2 beyond our initial global markets in China, North America and Europe,” says Thomas Ingenlath, CEO of Polestar.
Preparations in these markets are at different stages as the brand organises market launches and eventually the opening of online sales. Specific dates and details for each market will be published locally to include model specification and product pricing.
Key for Australia and South Korea, local independent Polestar sales units are being established and new Managing Directors have already been appointed. In Australia the local organisation will be led by Samantha Johnson, and Jongsung Ham will head up Polestar in South Korea. The other markets will likely be operated on an importer basis, with local partners to be confirmed in due course.
According to Nathan Forshaw, Polestar’s new head of the China and Asia Pacific regions, “specific roll-out timing is at an advanced planning stage and the recruitment of key individuals has begun.” He adds “While we are growing rapidly, we are ensuring both our organisation and processes ensure a consistent and truly Polestar experience for our customers, wherever they are based.”
Polestar has already had a presence in Europe and North America since launch in 2020, and retails the Polestar 2 through its website and its “Spaces”; a term for centrally located design-focused showrooms in the style of Tesla stores.
Hyundai's Nexo fuel cell electric vehicle forms Australia's first hydrogen fleet
Hyundai has become the first manufacturer to supply a hydrogen fleet in Australia, to the government of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). 20 zero-emission Hyundai NEXO fuel cell electric vehicles have been registered and are set to hit the road in March as part of the ACT government fleet.
Hyundai has become the first manufacturer to supply a hydrogen fleet in Australia, to the government of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). 20 zero-emission Hyundai NEXO fuel cell electric vehicles have been registered and are set to hit the road in March as part of the ACT government fleet.
The NEXO fleet represents the first deployment of fully certified, ADR-approved Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) in Australia, as well as the first use of hydrogen vehicles by a Government in Australia.
ACT Government welcomes the new vehicles
ACT Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability, Shane Rattenbury MLA, said that the NEXO fleet deployment is a positive step towards mitigating climate change. "Tackling climate change means tackling transport pollution, and zero-emission vehicle technology is a key part of this,” Mr Rattenbury said.
Australia’s first publicly available hydrogen station is scheduled to open in Canberra later this month (March 2021) and will provide the capability for 700-bar rapid refueling of the NEXO fleet.
EV Brief understands that hydrogen will be electrolysed on site (or close to), and will be powered by renewable energy from a Neoen wind farm just outside Canberra.
The initial 20 ACT government NEXO vehicles will be followed by a fleet of five of the FCEVs for the Queensland government, which are presently inbound to Australia.
The NEXO was released in 2018, but still looks contemporary. NEXO has a range of 666km (WLTP), with a refueling time of three to five minutes, and emits only water vapour from its exhaust. Hyundai claims the NEXO “purifies the air as it drives”, and that for every hour that the NEXO is on the road, 26.9 kilos of air is purified.
Hyundai’s NEXO emits only water from its tailpipes.
The heavy duty filtration system of the NEXO removes 99.9% of PM2.5 fine particulate matter from polluted air according to Hyundai.
“The deployment of 20 NEXO fuel cell electric vehicles for the ACT government is a significant milestone in Hyundai’s long-term commitment to hydrogen as a key to zero-emissions transport solutions for Australia,” Hyundai Motor Company Australia Chief Executive Officer, Jun Heo said. “As part of a line-up that includes the hybrid and plug-in hybrid IONIQ, and the pure electric IONIQ and Kona models, NEXO also underscores Hyundai’s leadership in eco-mobility,” he said.
Our take:
Hydrogen is certainly going to be important in the future, particularly in manufacturing and heavy industry as a replacement for gas where renewables aren’t practical. Hydrogen even makes sense for commercial vehicles, government fleets and busses where it can be electrolysed on site via renewable energy.
The biggest problem comes from the required energy to electrolyse hydrogen; Only 38% of the original electricity used actually makes it to the driven wheels of a vehicle. By comparison, a battery electric vehicle (BEV) achieves around 80-90% efficiency.
Hydrogen has to be compressed, chilled and transported to a refueling station and then when inside the vehicle, needs to be converted to electricity and finally into powering the motor. Not only do BEVs break the whole refining/transportation/refueling regime that lines the pockets of big oil, they allow consumers to power their own vehicles from 100% renewable energy in the form of solar panels on their home.
Hyundai and Toyota are two of a small number of manufacturers pursuing hydrogen development, but the rest of the industry seems to be heading for a pure electric future.
Hyundai's Ioniq 5 EV Leaked; Possible 2021 Australian Debut
Hyundai’s popular Kona and Ioniq Electric models will soon have a new stablemate in the form of the Ioniq 5. The EV crossover will debut the new stand-alone Ioniq sub brand (similar to Genesis, but electric only), and is expected to be an important vehicle for the Korean automaker.
Images: Hyundai Europe
Hyundai’s popular Kona Electric and Ioniq Electric models will soon have a new stablemate in the form of the Ioniq 5. The EV crossover will herald the launch of the new stand-alone Ioniq sub-brand (similar to Genesis, but electric only). The Ioniq 5 is expected to be an important vehicle for the Korean automaker, competing in the compact crossover market and will share design cues with the above Hyundai 45 concept.
Hyundai Australia played an important role in the development of the Ioniq 5 according to an interview with Hyundai Motor Company Australia (HMCA) general manager product planning Andrew Tuitahi published in Go Auto.
Tuitahi stated “We’ve participated in design reviews for Ioniq 5, (and) we just got our first prototype at the office recently. We’ve been involved in the Ioniq program in terms of the planning process since it first came up as a concept.”
He went on to state about the production car “it’s so very close [to the concept] (the Hyundai 45 EV concept), they changed almost nothing. I think the wheel size dropped from 22s to 20s but other than that…The first prototypes where you’d really start focusing on fine-tuning are only just coming to the different R&D centres now. So we’ll have a look at the car we’ve got, chat with our colleagues in Korea and we’ll work out a plan.”
Hyundai recently teased details about the Ioniq 5 on YouTube, using the phrase “Extra Power for Life” to hint at the vehicle’s bi-directional charging capabilities.
Thanks to the Korean Car Blog we have some specification details about the Ioniq 5:
The Ioniq 5 First Edition:
Dual motor 233kW
58 kWh battery, 450km combined range (WLTP) (73 kWh with 550km range to come later)
0-100km/h time of 5.2 seconds
4.64 metres long, 3 metre wheelbase, 1.89 metres wide, 1.6 metres high
Solar roof
800V charging system
According to Go Auto, the colour range will be revealed on the Hyundai website on February 16, and deliveries are scheduled to begin mid-2021.
