Kia EV6 GT to get 650hp powertrain from Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

The performance-oriented Kia EV6 GT, which is due for an update, will get a new powertrain that’s closely related to the one seen on the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, our sister publication, Autocar UK, has revealed. 

1. EV6 GT will do 0-100kph in 3.5 seconds
2. Gets simulated automatic gearbox setup
3. To come with a larger 84kWh battery

Kia EV6 GT to get a significant power boost

The Ioniq 5 N's dual-motor, four-wheel-drive setup puts out 610hp and 740Nm. However, that figure increases to 650hp and 770Nm when the car’s GT drive mode is selected; in the outgoing EV6 GT, it is 584hp. Kia has yet to clarify how it would affect the car’s straight-line performance, but it will doubtlessly improve on the outgoing car’s 0-100kph sprint of 3.5 seconds. For reference, Hyundai claims that the Ioniq 5 N takes 3.4 seconds for the same distance.

The updated Kia EV6 GT will get the simulated automatic gearbox that’s used in the Ioniq 5 N and is also featured on the recently revealed Kia EV9 GT. It mimics the gearing and power delivery of a combustion-engined performance car, limits the torque and changes the sound played through the speakers as per the artificial ‘engine’ revs and gear. It can be operated in the conventional automatic mode (and disabled entirely for a more typical electric driving experience), or it can be manually operated using paddles behind the steering wheel.

The updated EV6 GT will come with a larger 84kWh battery pack, up from 77kWh in the outgoing model. That should improve its range slightly from the previous car’s official rating of 423km between charges.

Kia has not yet released pictures of the new EV6 GT, but the model is expected to receive the same styling tweaks as the milder variants of the facelifted EV6. That means a revised look inspired by the EV3, EV5 and EV9, plus an updated interior with a new three-spoke steering wheel.

Kia currently sells the pre-facelift EV6 in India in GT Line guise. While the facelift is expected to launch in India next year, there are no talks of bringing the GT performance variant here.