Improvements with a mid-life facelift to core model detailed ahead of potential late-year release.

ACCEPTANCE of over the air updates, an ability that will first show in an electric Kia with the impending EV5, will spread to its big brother, the EV6, before year-end.

A technical improvement likely to be welcomed by the Korean brand’s fans is also set to show with a mid-life revision of the EV6’s Hyundai equivalent, the Ioniq 5.

Owner-involved OTA involvement has been a selling point of some electrics, notably the Tesla Model Y, but has been lacking from Hyundai product, in which updates have to be availed by a dealership visit. That’s one step up on VW Group product, which is doing without until software that allows it in Europe is improved for New Zealand.

Talk about the EV6 update has not come from Kia New Zealand but its equivalent in Australia, from an interview given by Kia Australia product planning boss Roland Rivero. The two countries share common stock.

Rivero this week said he expects the restyled and updated EV6 to appear “very very late this year” – around six months after a similar refresh is debuted on the Ioniq 5. Hyundai NZ remains close-lipped about when its release programme will occur.

Rivero says the refresh for the current EV6 (pictured) “pretty much retains the [existing overall] design, (but there will be) some enhancements to the headlights to incorporate the latest Kia design language.” The ‘star map’ design of the driving lights on the new Kia K4 sedan, a small petrol unveiled at the recent New York motor show, will lend some idea of the thinking.

The on-line portal for Australia’s Wheels magazine says like the MY25 Ioniq 5, the 2025 EV6 will also feature new alloy wheel designs, as well as a larger 84kWh battery in lieu of the existing 77.4kWh unit in the upper-spec EV6 GT-Line RWD and AWD variants.

No range claims have been quoted, but expectation is that there will be step up from the already-decent WLTP figures of 484km for the GT-Line AWD and 504km for the GT-Line rear-wheel drive with the 77.4kWh battery.

The facelifted EV6 and Ioniq 5 will feature similar additional active safety features, enhanced interior finishes and upholstery, revised switchgear, latest-generation multimedia technology and enhanced standard equipment.

A strengthened body structure for improved ride and refinement is coming to the Hyundai so it’s thought the updated EV6 is likely to follow suit, Wheels says.

The flagship GT is expected to have a more aggressive bumper design than the current offer and a “mechanical” grille that’s now closed at the bottom.

It’s also expected to include Hyundai and Kia’s new Active Air Skirt (AAS), designed to improve high-speed performance and driving range.The AAS unit is installed between the bumper and front wheels. At low speeds, the AAS is hidden, but when traveling over 80kmh, the unit is deployed.

This is because the air resistance is greater than the rolling resistance at high speeds. The new EV tech also increases downforce, which improves stability and control.