The Most Powerful Kia Model Ever Made Just Debuted With Nearly 600 Horsepower
Kia is known for its affordability. However, in recent years, the car brand has begun focusing on other attributes beyond affordability. Instead, with vehicles like the Kia EV6 GT, the brand has focused on horsepower. And, with nearly 600 horsepower under the hood, the EV6 GT is the most powerful Kia ever made.
Kia’s modern presence inside and out
You’re wrong if you thought the artistic renders of Kia’s EV6 GT were only a dream. While looks are subjective, the EV6 GT is undoubtedly different—for the maker and the buyer. It’s edgy without being boxy, aggressive without violence, and exciting without overstimulating. Overall, the EV6 GT has all the looks and interesting angles to make the crossover segment cool.
The well-thought-out cabin is driver-focused without sacrificing passengers. A “floating” middle console features the drive mode selector. It also features a cooled wireless charging mat for a smartphone, cupholders, and two massive storage bins.
The EV6 GT’s dual 12.3-inch curved infotainment screens surrounded by vegan suede upholstery have enough tech to make any Silicon Valley denizen blush. The system interfaces with Kia’s head-up display boasting augmented reality that places GPS instructions directly in front of the driver.
There are heated and cooled seats in both the front and back. Well over a dozen active driver safety and assistance features are available in all trim levels of the EV6, too.
Performance in the Kia EV6 GT
The most important characteristic the Kia EV6 GT brings to the table is its oddly superior power figures. Although it was nestled with the Lamborghini Huracan and Ferrari Roma when it debuted at Monterey Car Week, you wouldn’t be able to tell those are what the EV6 GT is engineered to compete with, says Kia.
With a 77.4 kWh battery powering a 160 kW front motor and a 270 kW rear motor, drivers have 576 horsepower and 546 lb-ft of torque at their immediate disposal. Even though the car weighs over 4,500 pounds, it will accelerate from a standstill to 60 mph in a truly mesmerizing 3.4 seconds. With these numbers, it outperforms the Lambo and the Ferrari—and with a top speed of 161 mph, all in a Kia.
Yet, it’s not built only for highway pulls and blistering starts at the traffic lights. Handling upgrades include a sport-tuned suspension with electronically controlled dampers and enhanced traction and stability from Kia’s electronic Limited Slip Differential (e-LSD) that provides intelligent torque vectoring in the corners.
Charging the Kia EV6 GT
Since range and charge anxiety are at the forefront of most EV buyers’ minds. The Kia EV6 GT seeks to quell concerns when plugged in. It features 800V fast-charging capabilities, enabling drivers to replenish 80 percent of the battery in under 18 minutes at 350kW charging stations.
However, there’s a drawback with the EV6 GT’s extraordinary power figures. Its range of 232 miles is almost 100 miles less than the 310 miles per charge found in the lower-priced, single-motor EV6 models, InsideEvs claims.
When will the EV6 GT be available?
Pre-order is available now, and the first EV6 GTs are set to be delivered sometime near the end of 2022. Although official pricing figures are currently unavailable, Car and Driver reports that the dual-motor GT trim level will likely begin just shy of $70,000.
Luckily, Kia will throw in some free electricity with the EV6 GT. Kia says all buyers will receive a charging credit of 1,000 kWh at Electrify America stations, useable over three years.
