Kia has introduced a new cheaper version of its EV6 to dip under the £40,000 barrier set by the government for the ‘luxury car’ road tax supplement. The entry-level ‘Air’ models now have a Standard Range battery option, with a 63kWh capacity which lowers the entry price to £39,235 on-the-road – a whopping £6,350 less than the previous cheapest version. 

The EV6 ‘Air’ Standard Range can go up to 265 miles between charges according to the official figures, compared to 361 miles for the larger 84kWh versions.

Powered by a single rear-mounted motor, the EV6 ‘Air’ Standard Range can accelerate from 0-to-62mph in 8.7 seconds, a second slower than the big battery versions. The top speed of 115mph remains the same. 

The smaller battery also lowers the car’s kerb weight to 1,955kg. The insurance group for the new entry-level model is also reduced, to 29E.

It retains the same 800V charging capabilities, meaning it remains capable of charging from 10-to-80% in as little as 18 minutes from a 350kW DC charger, and 58 minutes from a 50kW DC charger. It also offers the same 490-litre luggage capacity and 52-litre ‘frunk’ for storing a charging cable. The EV6 ‘Air’ Standard Range is capable of towing braked trailers up to 750kg.

The specification list is the same as the other EV6 ‘Air’, with 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps, heated front seats and steering wheel, Smart Cruise Control with stop/go functionality, start/stop button with smart entry, a panoramic driver display and touchscreen with navigation (formed of two 12.3-inch curved displays), wireless Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™, and seven years’ free Kia Connect telematics services.

The interior of the EV6 ‘Air’ Standard Range is finished in black cloth and artificial leather, and is available with a choice of standard or premium paint finishes: Runway Red, Midnight Black, Glacier White and Interstellar Grey. Customers can specify premium paint options for £675, meaning the posh finishes won’t push the car above the £40k barrier.

First customer deliveries due to start from later in May.