Kia threw everything at the EV6 GT — and the result lands hard
650 hp, 84 kWh and Virtual Gear Shift — Kia showed the new EV6 GT in Busan, and it no longer feels like a family electric.
In Busan, Kia stripped out of the EV6 GT everything that was holding it back from being a proper sports car — and added what was missing. At BIMOS 2026 the South Korean brand unveiled the upgraded version of its most powerful production model. It’s not exactly a world premiere, but for the home market the showing matters: alongside the mainstream EV3, EV5 and EV9, the sporting image of Kia’s electric range now rests squarely on the EV6 GT.
After the update, the EV6 GT runs a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup. Total output — 478 kW, or 650 hp. Torque — 770 Nm. Zero to 100 km/h takes 3.5 seconds, top speed maxes out at 260 km/h. This isn’t just a fast crossover hatch anymore. It’s Kia’s full-throated claim to electric sports car territory — and the claim is serious.
The biggest technical change hides under the floor. Instead of the previous 77.4 kWh, there’s now an 84 kWh pack. Claimed WLTP range is up to 450 km. And here’s the kicker — the E-GMP platform hasn’t lost its trump card: the 800-volt architecture still charges the car from 10 to 80% in roughly 18 minutes. With a battery this size, that number borders on indecent.
But the most interesting upgrade isn’t about power or batteries. It’s Virtual Gear Shift. The system simulates gear changes, adds sound and tactile feedback — so the EV stops feeling sterile. Kia is walking the exact same path Hyundai blazed with the Ioniq 5 N: modern EVs have power to spare, but the emotion of a proper combustion sports car? Gone. Manufacturers are increasingly trying to put it back.
From the outside, the updated EV6 GT is instantly recognisable: new Star Map light signature, black 21-inch wheels, aggressive bumpers and those signature neon-green brake calipers. On the Busan stand the car doesn’t look like a family EV with a hot badge. It’s a showcase of what Kia can do right now — drive fast, charge fast, and still be a practical five-door hatchback. No compromise in the spirit of “one or the other”.