What a hot car. Anyone that thinks twice is lying to themselves. Omg this Kia’s all-new EV6 GT is an all-electric high-performance crossover. It’s created for the new sustainable mobility era. You know, for peeps like us!
EV6 GT Like No Other
Kia’s most powerful production car ever and a new halo model for the brand. Because the EV6 GT combines exhilarating performance and range. Or as they call it first-class long-distance travel capabilities. Also ultra-fast charging tech I tested it. It’s faster. Finally and a highly impressive real-world driving range. That’s for effortless cross-country touring.
Exterior
The EV6 GT’s expressive exterior design features a series of sporty touches and aesthetic enhancements that hint at the vehicle’s performance attributes. Step inside, and occupants are greeted with a focused yet comfortable space that features state-of-the-art tech designed to meet the needs of the driver and passengers, further enhancing safety, connectivity, and infotainment to protect and engage at every stage of a journey.
Based on Kia’s advanced Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP). All because the EV6 GT delivers segment-defining performance. As well as those touring vibes. Performance has increased significantly over the standard AWD dual-motor EV6. That’s thanks to the installation of a new high-output rear motor. One that delivers a remarkable 63% increase in overall power. That’s compared to the rear motor in the standard model.
Fast AF
The EV6 GT can cover the 0-100 km/h sprint in a blistering 3.5 seconds. That’s making this the most rapid production Kia and Hyundai Motor Group vehicle to date. Also, it has a top speed that peaks at 260 km/h. Despite the crossover’s new performance potential, the driving range is an impressive 424 km. Drivers can charge it about 10-80% in just 18 minutes or so. I charged it and it’a around 18 minutes. It was faster than I clearly expected.
The EV6 GT also delivers enhanced ride and handling characteristics. That’s for a rewarding and truly connected feel. All around and out on the road. With performance brakes, optimized steering. Also a reworked suspension increase control and confidence. All the while an updated Drive Mode Select system. Then with a new GT Mode. For it allows drivers to customize the driving experience.
The Kia EV6 GT has a muscular exterior that hints at the performance potential
The EV6 GT’s design delivers something different in the all-electric crossover class, with a distinctive, impactful exterior complete with subtle high-tech features. Influencing all aspects of the EV6 GT’s styling is Kia’s ‘Opposites United design philosophy, which takes inspiration from the contrasts found in nature and humanity. The philosophy’s ‘Power to Progress’ design principle perfectly suits the GT’s sporting character by expressing the crossover’s dynamic power and speed alongside contrasting elements, resulting in a truly innovative aesthetic.
At the front, the EV6 GT instantly creates a lasting visual impression. Kia’s signature ‘Digital Tiger Face’ includes adaptive LED high-beam headlights and dynamic sequential turn indicators, while muscular fenders and a new clamshell bonnet featuring pronounced character lines lend the EV6 GT a powerful look. A new front bumper, unique to the GT, helps to emphasize the vehicle’s width and a stable, planted stance.
The EV6 GT’s aerodynamic side profile features a set of prominent character lines that add strength and definition, while the ‘fast’ roofline and sloping C-pillars create a sleek crossover silhouette. The vehicle’s sporty character is also communicated via a set of five-spoke 21-inch alloy wheels unique to the EV6 GT, while striking neon brake calipers signal awesome stopping power. At the rear, an aero spoiler, statement LED taillights, and a unique bumper and diffuser complete the GT transformation.
Fastest Kia ever thanks to unique dual-motor powertrain
The EV6 GT’s high-performance, high-tech all-electric dual-motor powertrain specifically delivers a powerful and progressive driving experience. All four wheels optimize traction and deploy power smoothly, even in the most challenging weather conditions.
A front-axle-mounted motor – the same as that found in the standard AWD EV6 – delivers 160 kW (218 PS) from 4,400 to 9,000 rpm. This is along with a powerful new rear motor producing 270 kW (367 PS) from @ 6,800 to 9,400 rpm to deliver a power output of 430 kW (585 PS) and 740 Nm of torque.
The total power output of the EV6 GT is a remarkable 80% higher than that of the next most powerful EV6 variant, the AWD dual-motor model, which has 239 kW / 325 PS and 605 Nm of torque (front and rear motors combined).
The power and traction generated by the EV6 GT’s dual-motor, all-wheel drive layout allows for truly scintillating performance. The GT can accelerate from 0-to-100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds – making this the quickest Kia ever. Additionally, it reaches a top speed of 260 km/h (versus 5.2 seconds and 185 km/h for the standard AWD EV6).
Innovative rear motor
Contributing to that prodigious performance is a range of innovative technical features within the rear motor. It includes the new ‘hairpin’ winding technology in the coil pack that reduces losses and improves high-speed response. The breakthrough design – unconventional due to the dual-stage inverter for the rear motor – helps to unleash exceptional power and torque. The inverter power module controls the motor. It adopts silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors and enhances system efficiency by around 2-3 percent.
The standard EV6 electric motor has exterior water cooling, which only influences the temperature of the motor housing. For the EV6 GT, cooling performance comes from the coil pack flushing with oil. Moreover, it maintains stable temperatures even in extreme conditions and during high-speed operation.
Further measures manage the increases in heat, centrifugal forces, noise, and vibration. Drivers can generate those when the high-performance rear motor operates at its upper limits. For example, Kia engineers are improving the distribution of forces throughout the motor’s structure. They’re reinforcing the bearing cage and permanent magnet arrangement and by optimizing the layout of the rotor core. Noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) are lower with the introduction of a new dual-piece rotor shaft.
All-new suspension components underpin a broad dynamic repertoire
The all-new EV6 GT benefits from comprehensive changes to its suspension components. Additionally, electronic control systems that transform the driving experience. The Automakers give the car an even more sporty character while retaining a quiet demeanor. The engineering of the EV6 GT offers a breadth of dynamic capabilities to rival the best sporting grand tourers.
The EV6 GT’s unique suspension package ensures the car’s ride remains flat in all situations. That means mitigating roll when cornering or when doing lane changes at high speed. Not to mention limiting squatting during rapid acceleration and diving under braking. At the same time, Kia’s engineering team ensures the ride retains a high degree of fluidity. That’s in addition to compliance with whichever drive mode is on. That way, it remains an enjoyable place to be for all occupants, even over long distances.
The EV6 GT gains its own variable gear ratio steering system. It’s a highly communicative set-up that builds weight progressively as speeds increase. There are 2.3 turns lock-to-lock, compared to 2.67 for the standard EV6. Moreover, the EV6 GT’s steering system has been specially calibrated for dynamic driving. Manufacturers did this by increasing sensitivity to inputs and delivering more immediate responses.
The EV6’s dynamic development was aided by the vehicle’s platform. Set to underpin up to seven all-electric Kia models, E-GMP ensures the EV6 GT benefits from optimal driving characteristics. That’s thanks partly to a weight ratio of 49:51 front to rear. Achieving this took placing the battery pack across the floor of the vehicle. Moreover, spreading the mass and giving the EV6 GT a low center of gravity. That enables superior handling and performance, especially on captivating twisty roads.
Outstanding Performance
Performance variants of Kia’s electric models were envisaged at the outset of the E-GMP design and engineering process. That means that structural changes to the chassis of the EV6 GT are minimal. They’re limited only to the reinforcement of suspension mounting points front and rear to facilitate precise axle articulation.
At the rear, the five multi-link type suspension carries over from the standard car. But at the front, there is a heavy modification to the suspension for the EV6 GT. It has new geometry and kinematics. The stabilizing lower arm of the MacPherson suspension is now a new, two-arm set-up to better manage vertical movements. In addition, it maintains consistent contact with the road surface under cornering loads and over variable-quality surfaces. Particularly important for maintaining traction at higher speeds.
Great Freaking Shocks Too
The EV6 GT’s suspension also features entirely new springs. You can feel in on my road test coming down Long Hill Road to a flatter surface. It felt easier to adjust than even some Japanese models out there folks. All because they’re softer by 9% at the front. Also and stiffer by 11% at the rear. That’s in comparison to the standard EV6 – to manage body movement and aid agility.
In addition, the new springs also result in the ride height lowering by 5 mm.
The GT’s rear anti-roll bar is stiffer by 15% in comparison to the one used on the standard car. It helps to keep the car more planted on the road. It, therefore, limits the excess roll and enables the EV6 GT’s tailor-made suspension components to behave as intended as cornering forces build.
