[WalkingBootWeather]

Thanks for starting this thread @WarwickBoy . I made my reservation on 16th April. If those prices prove accurate and there are no nasty surprises I will likely go for the long range AWD GT-line. From pictures and videos I've seen I prefer the EV6 over the sister Ioniq 5 but would like to see them both in the flesh.

A few things I'd like clarification on are:

• Can you have a sun roof and if not is it very dark in the cabin?
• What does the charge rate curve look like and what is the real world charge speeds on more common 50 and 150 Kw chargers?
• What's the gen on over the air updates - will that be available at launch, offered later at additional cost, will it support new software features or just map updates?
• What regular sound system is like and how much the 15 speaker meridian upgrade costs
• Additional costs for things like paint choice and tow bar preparation
• Service intervals and costs
• Insurance costs
• Do all cables come with car (granny, fast charger cable that supports the 11kW rate, necessary cables and connectors for V2L)

Expect details will start trickling out and we will be able to see reviews in coming months.

 

[WalkingBootWeather]

Interestingly I got a different reservation message to you guys. Mine looks like this

Then a series of links to the web page

 

[WalkingBootWeather]

I don't think Kia can expect anyone to turn their reservation into an order under precise details on specification, prices and model release dates are known. I would expect those that have made a reservation will be able to switch to a different model or request their money back at that time.

Even if a firm reservation is made I suspect you could pull out under distance selling regulations so you will likely have an opportunity to consider advance reviews and take a test drive yourself before the sale is concluded.

If the car is as good and popular as many think it will be then the dealer will have no difficulty in finding another buyer.

 

[WalkingBootWeather]

Anyone know when Ioniq 5 will be available to view / test drive? I prefer the EV6 but since they are sister companies and make use of the same platform, a look at the Ioniq, which will be available earlier, will give a reasonable idea of the size, quality, performance and drive that we might expect from the EV6.

 

[WalkingBootWeather]

Wonder how much extra they will charge for the heat pump (only standard in the GT)? Will there be a 'standard' paint colour and what is the likely supplement for premium finishes.

 

[WalkingBootWeather]

I want one but I want to see and drive one first and I want to dictate when I want it (January or March 2022). Don't have a problem with paying a refundable deposit but it seems unreasonable to ask us to commit before we have seen one in the flesh and have a firm delivery date.

 

[WalkingBootWeather]

Warning - huge generalisations to follow YMMV;

There is a big difference between heating the cabin once then maintaining the temperature for a long drive versus lots of stop start driving where the cabin is allowed to cool and has to be reheated, however it would not be unreasonable to anticipate 3-4 kWh energy or 12-18 miles range loss in a typical day for a car that uses resistive heating only as opposed to a combination of resistive heating and heat pump.

For a short range EV this can make all the difference between needing to charge to complete a journey or not. For longer range EVs I might content that absence of a heat pump might mean using a bit more energy, and therefore cost a few pennies extra (home charge rates - I'd guestimate less than £100 per year for my driving profile) but would rarely inconvenience a driver so much that they would need to make additional charge stops. For me therefore I'm reckoning on running the car for about 10 years before the heat pump would pay for itself. Of course it may be that cars with this option attracted slightly higher resale values and other people doing higher mileages in more extreme weather conditions might find their balance point comes much sooner.

Personally I'd have liked to have seen heat pump as part of standard spec and all cars costing £500 more than it being an option, with related ordering and production line complexities meaning it costs around £900 extra for those that specify.

 

[WalkingBootWeather]

So how has everyone identified their preferred dealer? I've not been very impressed with my local one. In 'normal times' I'd maybe use CarWow, or ring around a few. Some might offer incentives such as a discount, free mats or accessories or reduced servicing, they might provide a more generous part ex valuation, or might convince me that they were more knowledgeable or offered better customer service than the norm.

With an 'in demand' car is there anything a dealer can do to 'stand out' or a prospective buyer do to make their dealer earn their money?

 

[WalkingBootWeather]

dealers don't need to "earn their money" as sales are given to them on a plate, so they can just sit back and grin whilst watching the orders roll-in. 🥴

Well they could, but they might get more sales and hence a larger profit if they were to offer an incentive. What is the dealer margin on these cars - £1000? Then there is the opportunity to build a relationship for future sales and servicing.

If a dealer was for instance to offer free mats and boot liner that might have a rrp of £150 but in reality only costs them £50 they might attract buyers who might otherwise go elsewhere.

 

[WalkingBootWeather]

and it is a well known fact that red cars are the fastest