Kia first unveiled the 577hp EV6 GT way back in 2022, and it has now confirmed we’ll get similarly bonkers versions of every single one of the EVs it launches over the next few years. Yep, the all-wheel drive performance EV trend isn’t going to slow down any time soon.
“The GT variant is designed to be that halo product – to build more desire and to turn heads a bit more,” said Kia Europe marketing boss David Hilbert.
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“That's what EV6 GT did, and there will be an EV9 GT coming very, very soon. I think we’ve confirmed an EV5 GT too.”
Blimey, Kia really is going all-in on the GT train. The EV9 is already available with a twin-motor powertrain that makes 378hp, so what on earth will this 2.6-ton family bus be like when it gets well over 500bhp?
“For EV3, that’s coming in 2026. That will be an all-wheel drive GT variant. The GTs are never going to be the big volume sellers because they’re niche, and let’s be honest the performance of our standard EVs is pretty good anyway,” said Hilbert.
“The instant torque from EVs gives you that acceleration and the driving dynamics are there because of the dedicated platform, the low centre of gravity and the wheels that are pushed right out to the corners of the car.
"They [full-fat GT cars] are there to have that aspirational, halo impact for the wider range, and then of course we have the GT-Line which traditionally – like for example with Audi and S-Line – you might call ‘mild sport’, but actually they’re not that mild any more.”
Note: This story first appeared on TopGear.com. Minor edits have been made.
