Kia EV simply the best
The Kia EV6 crossover has claimed overall victory in the prestigious Red Dot Awards by driving off with “best of the best” title.
The battery electric vehicle (BEV), which has already been crowned 2022 European Car of the Year, also claimed the Red Dot gong for innovative products.
The 50-strong expert jury awarded the EV6 the top honour for its pioneering and forward-looking design.
“The new EV6 is certainly making a strong statement on the world stage,” says Todd McDonald, managing director of Kia NZ.
“Anticipation is reaching a crescendo as we build towards launch here in New Zealand. In fact, we are debuting the new model to our dealer partners next week. Then the first models will be arriving in showrooms shortly after.
“We are humbled with the international awards and can’t wait to introduce Kiwis to this incredible vehicle, one which will change the way people think about full EVs thanks to its impressive interior space, fast-charge capability, a driving range in excess of 500km, and remarkable technology and features.”
As Kia’s first dedicated BEV, the EV6 marks the brand’s new direction into a sustainable mobility solutions provider.
The EV6 is also the first Kia based on the company’s advanced electric-global modular platform. This enables the EV6 to offer one of the most spacious interiors in its class, a range of up to 528km and 800-volt ultra-fast technology for charging from 10-80 per cent in 18 minutes.
Karim Habib, head of Kia’s global design centre, says: “The EV6 is very important for the brand. We have the ambition to keep pushing the boundaries of automotive design and to back up product substance with inventive, bold and forward-looking designs.”
The EV6 continues Kia’s impressive run of success at the Red Dot Awards since 2009. That was when the Soul became the first vehicle from a South Korean marque to receive the award. A total of 27 Kia models have been awarded with a coveted Red Dot award and the EV6 is the sixth to scoop “best of the best”.
The Red Dot Design Award is one of the world’s largest design competitions. It is announced annually by the Design Zentrum Nordrhein-Westfalen and is divided into three disciplines – product design, brands and communication design, and design concept.
