Hyundai and Kia announced last year that they would launch six electric vehicles in the Indian market by 2024. The South Korean carmaker has now announced the expiration date of its two electric models in the Indian market Hyundai will launch Ioniq 5 and Kia will launch EV6 crossover in Indian market. According to reports, Kia plans to launch the EV6 electric crossover in India in the first half of May this year. Hyundai, on the other hand, will launch the Ioniq 5 at the end of October this year. Currently, Hyundai has only the Kona EV as an electric car in the Indian market and even it is not doing very well in terms of sales due to the steep price.
The Hyundai Kona EV was expensive because it was sold as a CBU unit in India. Hyundai is unlikely to repeat the mistake with its Ioniq 5 crossover. The Ioniq 5 will be launched in India as a locally assembled car which means, the manufacturer will have more control over the price. The Kia EV6 which will be the first electric car offered by Kia in India will be offered as a CBU unit. This means that Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 will be priced differently. The price of the most popular Kia EV6 is going to be much higher than the Hyundai Ioniq 5. According to reports, Hyundai Ioniq 5 will be priced between Rs 35-40 lakh and Kia EV6 will be priced above Rs 50 lakh. .
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Kia will initially offer the EV6 as a CBU unit and is expected to switch to CKD in 2023. The manufacturer will offer the EV6 in a fully loaded, single variant. Although, the Kia EV6 is expected to be unveiled in May this year, booking and delivery for the electric crossover could occur during the festive season. Kia is expected to launch a top-end GT-line variant with an E-AWD and a 77.4 kWh battery that offers a longer driving range. The EV6’s electric motor generates 302 bhp and 605 Nm of peak torque. Since it is an e-AWD model, it gets two electric motors One for the front wheels and the other for the rear wheels.
The EV6’s driving range is expected to be around 425 kilometers. Kia may launch a lower spec variant in India after it starts assembling cars in India. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 also shares similar features internationally, however, the Indian version is likely to get a 58 kWh battery. Power is sent to the rear wheels and the electric motor generates 168 Bhp and 350 Nm of peak torque. The driving range of this version will be 384 kilometers. There is a possibility that Hyundai could introduce 726 kWh battery variants with better range and E-AWD system like EV6. This version may be brought to India as a CBU unit and will be priced like Kia EV6. Hyundai’s strategy for the Indian market will be to focus more on lower spec units that will be integrated in India. Manufacturers like Tata and Mahindra are also working on new electric models for the Indian market.
Via: Carandbike
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