Who said electric cars had to be boring? Is it possible to democratize high performance from a generalist brand such as Kia? Well, to answer you, it is better that you keep this name: Kia EV6 GT. This has been our first contact with this Korean beast of 585 hp and 740 Nm of torque.
Kia has never been in this segment, but it has been unapologetically launched into it ‘and whatever comes up’. In fact, as well as those who do not want the thing, it has created a high-performance plug-in from the already bombastic Kia EV6, a kind of mix between sedan, grand tourer, SUV of a certain size… which, if it was already interesting, Imagine in its most radical version?
So if I still have a hard time defining this spectacular mechanical monstrosity, imagine when this opportunity to see it up close and take a tour of it came along. Just with the curiosity he felt, the trip to Frankfurt was more than deserved. And besides, it’s not the only thing we were going to see, because on the same day -titled Electrification Everywere- it was already a declaration of intent.
So getting on the appetizing Kia EV6 GT was actually the icing on the day, after learning about seeing and (almost) touching the spectacular six-seater Kia EV9 prototype that will arrive in 2023… and, of course, the new Kia Niro 2022. It’s time. It’s time to go down to the garage of the brand’s facilities in this city in Germany.
Between a shiny floor, vertical green neons and some tools in the background, it seems like we’ve just arrived at one of those TV shows where any new or restored car looks spectacularly beautiful. And of course, the protagonist of these lines does the rest, in a metallic gray that allows all its studied forms to be appreciated in their proper measure.
These are finished off with green details that, although it is not an unprecedented color combination (we already saw them, for example, a year ago in the sporty plug-in hybrid Peugeot 508 PSE), it does represent a commitment to a 100% electric GT with very high performance. that it is difficult to compare with equivalent vehicles on the market.
Let me explain: everyone who gets into an electric carsharing car, for example, can credit that driving this type of machine has its point of fun when it comes to accelerating, for example. The different Teslas opened the door to the ‘cooler’ side of electromobility, while promising autonomy ‘light years’ (and never better said) from their competitors.
And then, the Porsche Taycan was another one that laid the foundations for what could be done with a ‘battery-powered’ car, on the street or on a circuit. But it is that if a Niro I of these characteristics can already surprise for good those who have never ridden in something with batteries, imagine a generalist brand that promises a 0 to 100 km/h in 3.5 s and a maximum speed of 260 km/h
For now, I am forced to wait because “there is still a little to charge”, although I immediately remember that one of the values of this very special grand tourer is that its 77.4 kWh battery can fill from 10 to 80% in 18 minutes and provides autonomy 800 V facilitates a range of 424 km.
It makes sense, because if not, why this configuration? Has technology already reached such a point of development that plug-in cars can also be considered suitable for not being limited to the city almost exclusively? It seems. And what about the required infrastructure?
Kia has also been investing for some time in the Ionity charging network (which already has 400 charging stations in 24 European countries and promises a charging point on every 120 km of highways on the continent) and, in turn, is associated with Digital Charging Solutions, to have 320,000 additional charging points.
But since we can’t fully test the Kia EV6 GT just yet, we’re limiting first taste of the 585bhp Korean beast to one fastest lap (in time and speed). And we are going to focus on this. A short, strong boy first asks me how the free practice sessions of the last F1 GP were going, which I had been following out of the corner of my eye on my mobile.
And after chatting a bit about single-seaters and the new 2022 World Championship regulations, he explains its characteristics in detail for 5 minutes. “Should we go up?” I ask. “Yes,” he replies. “With who?” I continue as I take up positions with my backpack and coat in the back. “With me. But remember: I drive!”
I was not going to understand that “look, an elephant flying!”, so I settle for what we had agreed from the beginning: to take a lap in the new EV6 GT, but to the right. Happy to have a professional driver master of ceremonies and one of the famous German Autobahn (highways) with sections without speed limit, I let myself go – in every sense of the term.
In this way, you can see how this little-big man tames such a missile. Alex Kroker is a nice guy, an expert in circuit tests, resistance… and in giving everything with combustion engine machines, like the racing Porsche 911 with which he competes. He shows it to me on his cell phone, more out of infatuation than presumption.
Although he also does it a bit to give me confidence before we start playing. And although we just had a bite to eat and it is against my religion to submit to any mixer with wheels at the table (especially if someone else is driving), I encourage you not to underestimate the accelerator, it is always a pleasure to ‘step on’ a car of these features knowing that there is battery to spare.
I take one last look at the exterior (yes, definitely, the gray is too flattering to better appreciate its shapes’), which has what they call Kia’s ‘Digital Tiger Face’ here highlighted with adaptive LED headlights and dynamic sequential turn signals. Like the GT, we get the front bumper, beefier side profile, 21-inch alloy wheels, neon-finish brake calipers, rear spoiler, LED taillights, and a unique bumper and diffuser.
On board, suede-upholstered bucket seats, ‘GT’-badged metal inserts and green piping, striped motifs on the dashboard and front center armrest, specific ambient lighting on the door panels and center console. With everything and with it, I feel strange -in the literal sense-, because normally I am the one who gets behind the wheel and shows the test cars to neighbors and friends.
So from this right side, I am drawn to two curved 12.3-inch infotainment screens that dominate the dashboard. There is a pleasant environment -which is broad, on a platform, the E-GMP-. From her, thanks to its 2,900 mm wheelbase and promising roominess (and from 480 to 1,260 liters of trunk with 20 liters more under the front hood) that I wouldn’t mind sharing with more people in the back row.
It also seems comfortable and quiet, at least, in Eco and Normal driving modes. In the Sport, body roll is reduced by a suspension that becomes firmer. And to get the most out of it, the exclusive ‘GT’ button, which is what my ‘driver’ now activates from the steering wheel when he sees that, far from intimidating me, I encourage him to give it ‘reed’.
Traffic is starting to pick up around Frankfurt at this time of the afternoon, but you can still enjoy some open areas. So wisely, safety and common sense always come first, we wait for some clean air just before the exotic 120km/h top speed end sign and… stomp! thoroughly!
The sensation is great, and is sweetened by an electric sound like a shuttle that suits a vehicle with such characteristics, which moves with agility and poise thanks to its mechanical configuration: a 160 kW (218 hp) motor mounted at the front that is combined with another 270 kW (367 hp) mounted at the rear.
They transfer a total power of 430 kW (585 PS) and 740 Nm of torque to all four wheels via an electronic limited slip differential (e-LSD), to improve traction and cornering stability. All this is combined with a dynamic electronically controlled suspension (ECS) system, a low center of gravity and pleasantly surprising interior qualities.
Finally, effective and progressive braking in a hurry to make the front (380 mm) and rear (360 mm) ventilated disc brakes work -which my companion describes as forceful and effective, as well as the steering- and take the indicated exit. Back to normal with the other driving modes and a comfortable return to base in a relaxed way.
In fact, we have no choice but to leave the Drift position for another day, “which can deactivate the ESC system for greater oversteer potential, while Drift mode sends a greater proportion of power to the rear wheels for a truly thrilling ride.” side slip”, they tell us. .
Finally, good news and others not suitable for the impatient. The Kia EV6 GT can already be ordered… but since its production will not start until September, deliveries in Europe are scheduled for the end of 2022… and it will surely not be until then that we can get our hands on it to make a test thoroughly (this time, from the left side!).
