Following its debut during Monterey Car Week, Kia has now confirmed performance specifications for the dynamic, all-electric EV6 GT.
Based on the same E-GMP platform as the base EV6 crossover and Hyundai’s Ioniq range, the EV6 GT is said to be “the most powerful Kia production vehicle yet produced,” packing as it does 576 hp. The GT is also the latest step in Kia’s ‘Plan S’ move to electrification, which includes selling 1.2 million battery-electric vehicles by 2030, and launching “at least” two new BEVs each year en-route to a line-up of at least 14 BEVs by 2027.
2023 Kia EV6 GT
The combined 576 hp and 546 lb-ft output is produced via a dual-motor e-AWD powertrain, with a 160 kW electric motor powering the front axle and a second 270 kW example driving the rear wheels. This is almost double the 320 hp produced on the mid-range, all-wheel drive ‘Wind’ and ‘GT-Line’ EV6s, and over 400 hp more than the rear-wheel drive, entry level ‘Light.’ Admittedly, the GT’s kerb weight in North America does tip the scales at 2,175 kg, some 133 kg more than either the ‘Wind’ or ‘GT-Line,’ and a full 368 kg more than the aptly-named ‘Light.’
Of course, this additional girth barely slows Kia’s most potent EV6 yet in a straight-line: 0-96 km/h is complete in 3.4 seconds, and the top speed is capped at 259 km/h.
2023 Kia EV6 GT
Mated to the e-motors is a 77.4-kWh battery pack, larger than the 58 kWh on the entry level Light but also standard on the Wind and GT-Line. 80 per cent of the battery can be topped up inside 18 minutes with 350 kW DC fast-charge (that’s hiked to 73 minutes on 50 kW DC), though, unsurprisingly, the GT’s rampant performance has had a knock on electric range. The 206 mile (just under 332 km) estimate is 29 miles (41 km) less than the RWD Light and a full 76 miles (122 km) fewer than the AWD Wind.
Further performance upgrades include “dedicated sports suspension” and electronically-controlled dampers for improved road holding. An electronic Limited Slip Differential now sends torque to the wheels with the most grip while on the move, and new, neon-accented ventilated discs – 15 in at the front, 14.2 in at the back – are the largest examples seen yet on the EV6. The GT runs on bespoke 21-inch alloys, clad with Z-rated Goodyear Eagle F1 rubber.
Alongside a conventional five-way drive mode selector – Eco, Normal, Sport, Snow, and ‘My Drive’ for a more personalized option – Kia has also incorporated Drift Mode, which distributes more power to the rear wheels for electric sideways hooning. In an interesting touch, said drifts can be accompanied by a rortier soundtrack courtesy of Kia’s Active Sound Design system.
2023 Kia EV6 GT
Much of the ‘Opposites United’ design language on the standard EV6 remain intact on the GT, albeit with the latter now boasting unique front and rear fascias (a tweak that has minutely increased vehicle width from 74 in to 74.4 in), a bespoke rear diffuser and a rear spoiler. The “vegan suede-trimmed” cabin now features light bucket seats – complete with an embossed ‘GT’ badge – and neon upholstery piping that matches the brake calipers.
Though North American prices have yet to be revealed (a confirmed MSRP will be announced closer to launch), sales of the EV6 GT are scheduled to begin in the final quarter of this year. Kia has stated though that customers will receive a 1,000 kWh charging credit, applicable at Electrify America stations across a three-year period as part of Kia’s partnership with the EV charging network operator.
