The Kia EV5 The local launch of the electric SUV has been delayed as the Korean brand is trying to resolve some issues at the 11th hour.
“Due to unexpected software and wheel updates, we regret having to delay the media launch of the EV5,” a Kia Australia spokesperson said.
“We are working closely with the factory to overcome these challenges to ensure we have sufficient supply and variants across the dealer network for the rescheduled launch, which date will be announced as soon as possible.
“Some inconsistencies in wheel weight/balance have been noted and we are working to resolve them.”
Kia Australia has not confirmed the update date but a delay of around a month is expected.
The company had previously confirmed it would launch the Air and Earth variants in June, with the GT-Line due in Q4 2024.
Kia scheduled a media launch event for the EV5 for June 25-26, which has now been postponed.
A number of EV5 vehicles are already available in Australia for both testing and promotional purposes.
The EV5 will be the first Chinese-sourced model that Kia Australia offers.
The company said it already has so many benefits in sourcing EV5 from China, among other things, we are still prepared to deliver EV5 several months ahead of the UK market. Kia UK is sourcing the EV5 from Korea and the SUV won’t launch there until 2025.
Kia Australia said it has worked closely with the Chinese team to bring the car to market in a timely manner and ensure it is suitable for our market.
To that end, the EV5 also received a suspension system developed for our market.
Kia has previously confirmed that it expects to be able to reach up to 850 EV5s monthly, which in turn could sell 10,200 EV5s per year. For context, it only sold 1000 Korean-made electric vehicles Niros in 2023.
This could also see the EV5 challenge for the best-selling product BYD Atto 3is also made in China, where sales averaged 920 units per month last year.
Unlike the larger version, which is based on E-GMP EV6 And EV9Kia says the EV5 is underpinned by a separate dedicated EV platform called the N3 eK.
While specifications for the local range have not been confirmed, Kia Australia says both standard and long-range batteries will be offered, as well as single-engine front-wheel drive and four-engine all-wheel drive layouts. dual.
In China, the single-motor variant produces 160kW of power and is paired with 64kWh or 88kWh lithium iron phosphate battery packs, providing driving ranges of 530km to 720km respectively in CLTC laboratory testing.
The all-wheel drive EV5 has a 70kW electric motor on the rear axle, increasing combined power to 230kW. The powertrain is powered by a 70kWh battery, allowing a driving range of up to 650km in the same CLTC tests.
Kia Australia is yet to announce final pricing and specifications for the EV5, although it is understood to be priced close to the smaller Niro EV, which is priced from $66,590 before on-road costs.
THAN: Everything Kia EV5
