The brand-new Kia EV6 GT is a high-performance, all-electric crossover that was designed for the future of sustainable mobility. The Kia EV6 GT electric crossover is the new flagship model for the company. It offers thrilling performance, superior long-distance travel capabilities, cutting-edge charging technology, and an awe-inspiring real-world driving range, making cross-country travel a breeze.
The Kia EV6 GT, built on Kia's cutting-edge Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), sets the bar high for performance in its class. Thanks to a new high-output rear motor that provides a remarkable 63% boost in overall power compared to the rear motor in the normal AWD dual-motor EV6, performance has been much improved over the standard model.
The new Kia EV6 GT electric crossover has a top speed of 260 km/h, making it the quickest production vehicle from Kia and Hyundai Motor Group. Despite its increased performance capability, the electric crossover has an amazing 424 km driving range and can be charged from 0 to 80% in 18 minutes.
The EV6 GT provides a gratifying and connected driving experience thanks to its excellent ride and handling and energetic performance. Upgrades to the Drive Mode Select system let drivers find their ideal balance between comfort and excitement behind the wheel, with features like the new GT Mode and improved performance brakes, steering, and suspension.
According to Kia Europe's VP of Marketing and Product, Sjoerd Knipping: "Kia's new EV6 GT is the most compelling proof that all-electric vehicles can deliver on promises of unparalleled levels of driver involvement and excitement as the company strives to become a leader in sustainable mobility solutions. This SUV successfully marries a sports vehicle's speed, handling, and power with a modern GT's a luxury, range, and quick charging times."
The Kia EV6 GT stands out in the segment of all-electric crossovers thanks to its design, which blends a striking appearance with understated high-tech touches. Kia's "Opposites United" design philosophy, drawing inspiration from the contrasts seen in nature and human society, informed every facet of the EV6 GT's exterior. The crossover's dynamic power and speed are expressed alongside contrasting features that create a totally creative look, making the philosophy's 'Power to Progress' design principle perfect for the GT's sporty nature.
The Kia EV6 GT's striking new face is sure to make an impression. In addition to Kia's characteristic "Digital Tiger Face," which has adaptive LED high-beam headlamps and dynamic sequential turn indicators, the EV6 GT also features muscular fenders and a redesigned clamshell bonnet with pronounced character lines, giving it an imposing appearance. The new GT-specific front bumper emphasizes the car's breadth and solid, planted stance.
Character lines provide strength and definition to the EV6 GT's aerodynamic side profile, while the quick roofline and sloping C-pillars give the car a sporty crossover appearance. Five-spoke 21-inch alloy wheels, exclusive to the Kia EV6 GT, convey the vehicle's aggressive character, and stunning neon brake calipers advertise the vehicle's formidable stopping power. The GT makeover is finished off with a custom bumper and diffuser at the back and a set of LED taillights that make a statement.
The interior of the EV6 GT fuses sporty design with luxury and utility. Suede-trimmed bucket seats welcome their occupants, offering both long-distance comfort and complete support during vigorous driving. The chairs have a futuristic and technological vibe thanks to the inclusion of metal 'GT' logo inserts and neon green piping. All surfaces inside are finished with high-quality materials, and a sporty aesthetic helps set the mood. The upper fascia and front center armrest features a striped design, while the GT's door panels, center console, and dashboard are illuminated by ambient lighting for a relaxing drive at night.
All driving, networking, and entertainment functions are shown in crystal clear detail on the car's two 12.3-inch curved displays. The interior's basic form language, exemplified by the wide screens and horizontally aligned dashboard, creates a warm and high-tech atmosphere. The two-spoke steering wheel is designed for comfort and features a new GT Drive Mode selection.
Because it runs on electricity alone, the EV6 GT is remarkably silent even while cruising at high speeds. Kia's technical teams spent a lot of time reducing noise that wouldn't normally be observed because there is no internal combustion engine. Active Sound Design, however, delivers synthesized enhancement of selected noises via the EV6 GT's standard-fit Meridian high-performance audio system, giving the driver and passengers a more exaggerated impression of the car's performance potential. The occupants can modify the generated sound's tone and loudness to fit their tastes.
Kia's E-GMP electric vehicle architecture has been applied to the inside. The Kia EV6 GT's 2,900mm wheelbase and flat floor create an interior area similar to that of many mid-size SUVs, giving it remarkable long-distance touring capabilities despite its modest outward proportions. The EV6 GT's cabin is well-thought-out and adaptable, with plenty of storage space and room for the whole family on road trips (480 liters (VDA) of trunk space with the second row of seats in place). The maximum storage volume is 1,260 liters, which may be increased by folding down the second-row seats. Additional storage space in the form of a 20-liter trunk is available in the vehicle's forward compartment.
The high-tech all-electric dual-motor powertrain of the Kia EV6 GT was developed to provide a dynamic and responsive ride. All four wheels receive power so that grip may be maximized and force is deployed smoothly in any environment.
The same motor used in the base AWD EV6 is positioned in front of the axle and produces 160 kW (218 PS) from 4,400 to 9,000 rpm. The combined output of the front and rear motors is 430 kW (585 PS) and 740 Nm of torque. The rear motor produces 270 kW (367 PS) from 6,800 to 9,400 rpm.
Compared to the next most powerful Kia EV6 type, the AWD dual-motor model, the EV6 GT's overall power output is a whopping 239 kW / 325 PS and 605 Nm of torque, an increase of a whopping 80%. (front and rear motors combined).
Incredibly thrilling acceleration is possible thanks to the Kia EV6 GT's dual-motor, all-wheel drive arrangement. While the normal AWD EV6 takes 5.2 seconds to get to 100 km/h, the GT does it in 3.5, making it the fastest Kia ever. The GT also has a top speed of 260 km/h.
An array of cutting-edge technical elements within the rear motor contribute to that phenomenal performance, with the latest 'hairpin' winding technology in the coil pack significantly lowering losses and enhancing the motor's reaction at high speeds. Due to the unusual dual-stage inverter for the rear motor, the new design can release unprecedented levels of power and torque. An inverter power module, using silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors, regulates the motor and raises system efficiency by about 2% to 3%.
Water cooling the conventional EV6 electric motor's exterior only affects the motor case's temperature. The EV6 GT's coil pack is oiled to boost its cooling capacity, which helps it keep its internal temperature constant even in the harshest environments and throughout extended high-speed running.
Additional controls are in place to mitigate the effects of the high-performance rear motor's potential for increased heat, centrifugal forces, noise, and vibration when operating at its limits. By doing things like fortifying the bearing cage and permanent magnet arrangement and optimizing the layout of the rotor core, Kia engineers were able to improve the motor's ability to disperse force throughout its structure. The rotor shaft has been improved with a new dual-piece design, which reduces NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) even further.
The new EV6 GT features upgraded suspension and electronic control systems that vastly improve the vehicle's handling compared to the basic EV6. The EV6 GT's engineering aims to provide a breadth of dynamic capabilities comparable to the top athletic grand tourers. This was accomplished by giving the car a sportier character while maintaining a quiet and refined demeanor.
The Kia EV6 GT's special suspension setup keeps the car level during all maneuvers, including high-speed lane changes and tight corners, quick acceleration, and braking. However, Kia's engineering team has ensured that the ride is comfortable for all passengers regardless of driving mode.
The Kia EV6 GT has a unique steering system with a changing gear ratio, making for a very interactive setup that adds heft gradually at higher speeds. The lock-to-lock rotational distance is 2.3 turns, compared to 2.67 for a regular EV6. The EV6 GT's steering system has been fine-tuned for dynamic driving, with increased sensitivity to inputs and faster responses available in the GT Mode preset.
The flexible foundation of the EV6 allowed for rapid design iteration. The E-GMP platform, which will underlie up to seven all-electric Kia cars, helps the Kia EV6 GT achieve its ideal weight distribution of 49 percent in the front and 51 percent in the back. The battery pack's location across the vehicle's floor accomplishes this by distributing the car's weight in a manner that reduces its center of gravity, resulting in excellent handling and performance—especially on excitingly curvy roads.
Since the E-GMP was developed with performance variants of Kia's electrified models in mind from the start, the EV6 GT's chassis has undergone only minor modifications, with the most notable being the reinforcement of the front and rear suspension mounting points to improve the vehicle's ability to achieve precise axle articulation.
While the standard car's five-link multi-link setup is retained at the rear, the Kia EV6 GT's front suspension features updated geometry and kinematics to improve handling.
The Kia EV6 GT's suspension uses brand-new springs that are 9% softer up front and 11% firmer in the back compared to the regular Kia EV6. This helps control body roll and improves handling. The 5 mm drop in ride height is another effect of the new springs.
The rear anti-roll bar on the GT is 15% stiffer than the regular car's. It helps the Kia EV6 GT stay on the road, reducing body roll so the suspension can do its job as the cornering forces increase.
The Kia EV6 GT's software chassis systems can now flourish thanks to the upgraded suspension hardware. The EV6 GT's electronic-Limited Slip Differential (e-LSD) is a game-changer, automatically redistributing torque to the wheels with the most corner grip to improve traction and stability. As it befits a long-legged GT, the e-LSD features Smart Traction and Smart Yaw Damping capabilities, which delicately juggle road-holding and comfort.
Electronic Control Suspension (ECS) in the EV6 GT provides responsive handling and a plush ride by constantly adjusting the semi-active High-Performance Dampers.
The Kia EV6 GT's Drive Modes provide extensive driver control over the vehicle's dynamics. The EV6's innate sporty spirit and low center of gravity make it exceptionally adept at suppressing undesired body movements in Eco, Normal, and Sport drive modes. However, the Kia EV6 GT's driving experience is centered on a new special GT Drive Mode, activated by pressing a neon button in the lower right of the steering wheel.
The new GT Drive Mode transforms the character and response of this sporting crossover. It provides a highly engaging driving experience by automatically configuring the vehicle's e-motors, braking, steering, semi-active dampers, and Electronic Stability Control systems into their most dynamic settings (Sport or Sport+).
In GT Mode, the ESC allows for more tire slip, resulting in a more personal, adjustable connection to the road, and the ESC can be turned off entirely for increased oversteer potential. To take things further and intentionally induce oversteer, a selectable Drift Mode transfers up to one hundred percent of available torque to the rear wheels for unrestrained sideways motion and then back to the front wheels for better acceleration when you accelerate out of turn.
By switching to "My Drive Mode," drivers can adjust the vehicle's powertrain and suspension to their liking. This enables fine-tuning of all system settings for optimal responsiveness to changing conditions.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, developed in collaboration with Kia, are standard on the GT trim because of their remarkable grip and traction when mounted on high-performance vehicles. Better road-holding and responsiveness to driver inputs are provided by the Kia EV6 GT's Michelin 255/40 R21 tires, as opposed to the basic EV6's 255/45 R20 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV tires.
The Kia EV6 GT has a performance braking system that has been upgraded to be quicker and more effective, giving the driver a greater sense of safety. Pedal recalibration improves both the pedal's modularity and response, providing you with the extra confidence you need when stopping at high speeds.
Front 380mm and rear 360mm vented discs with new four-piston high-performance calipers replace the basic car's 345mm ventilated front and 345mm solid rear discs. Having room for the larger and more powerful braking package was a major factor in deciding on the bigger 21-inch wheels.
In addition to the shorter stopping distances made possible by the Integrated Electric Booster (IEB), the driver can adjust the brake pedal's sensitivity by choosing between two modes, "Normal" and "Sport."
All of the new high-performance brake hardware fits in perfectly with the regenerative braking system, which is now officially set to recover up to 150 kW at its maximum. The Kia EV6 GT's maximum recovery is over 300 kW when paired with adaptive braking. There are six regenerative braking settings available to EV6 drivers (none, 1, 2, 3, 'i-PEDAL,' and automatic) like with the regular EV6. With the 'i-PEDAL' driving mode engaged, the vehicle may recover the maximum amount of kinetic energy from its brakes, allowing the driver to stop the vehicle gently without using the brake.
With its long range and quick charging times, the EV6 GT proves itself to be a worthy grand-touring vehicle. The 424-kilometer range is provided by the 77.4 kWh long-range lithium-ion battery pack, which can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in just 18 minutes. Kia's EV6 GT is an exciting and capable GT for the electric era thanks to its sports car performance, long-range, and ultra-fast charging network.
The Kia EV6 GT and its specialized charging network make long-distance travel fast, simple, and convenient. Because Kia has put money into IONITY, Europe's extensive high-power charging network, motorists can charge their vehicles without hassle. The European highway system has a charging station every 120 kilometers, allowing drivers to enjoy the independence, convenience, and sustainability of regular, reliable, and fast charging. This network includes over 400 charging stations powered by 100% clean energy spread across 24 European countries.
Additionally, over 360,000 additional charge outlets are available to Kia customers thanks to the company's relationship with Digital Charging Solutions (DCS). The user-friendly Kia Charge App makes managing IONITY and DCS provider rates and payments simple.
The Kia EV6 GT's innovative navigation-based battery conditioning feature automatically adjusts the battery's temperature to maximize charging speed whenever a high-speed charger is selected as the destination. This guarantees the EV6 GT's optimum charging rate even when the temperature outside is low.
The Kia EV6 GT's Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) includes a Vehicle-to-Device (V2D) capability, which may discharge power from the vehicle's battery to an external device, further boosting its utility. The V2D feature has a maximum output of 3.6kW, enough to run a 55-inch TV and an air conditioner for more than 24 hours. Additionally, the device can charge another EV if necessary.
Creating a high-performance GT variant of the EV6 was always on the agenda. Kia EV6 GT development started in early 2020, with chassis tuning starting in April 2021.
Most of the on-road testing and development was carried out in Europe, with most of the work focusing on the car's handling and stability in Germany's Rodgau-Dudenhofen, Boxberg, Mendig, and Pferdsfeld, proving grounds and surrounding rounds. Despite being designed with a focus on-road use, the Kia EV6 GT has been tested on the legendary Nurburgring Nordschleife track.
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