I can see your (new) halo
When Kia introduced the powerful and purposeful Stinger into its range, the main motivation was to raise brand awareness. Now it’s hoping for the same impact with a battery-powered model, the range-topping EV6 GT. By John Challen
Kia has made great strides in recent years, with 2022 seeing the company break through the 100,000-unit sales barrier. The fleet market was responsible for a lot of those vehicles, the company recording a 59% fleet split (compared with the industry average of 49%), ending the year in second place in the fleet manufacturer charts behind Volkswagen.
This year, the Koreans expect that percentage to fall back a little, but still be above 50% fleet. Helped by 11 electrified models in its range and a lower-than-average fleet CO₂ figure (106g/km, compared with the automotive industry’s 114g/km), business customers remain an important part of the business plan. Add in a further nine BEV models from Kia heading to the UK by 2027 and there is plenty of optimism that the momentum can be maintained.
However, as one famous supermarket would say: ‘every little helps’ so, there’s a new battery-powered sibling on the block to hopefully help get business over the line: the EV6 GT. Kia admits that the GT version of the successful EV6 won’t do huge numbers but, like the ICE-powered Stinger before it, the goal is to create conversations around the brand and change people’s perceptions about the brand’s EV offerings elsewhere in the model line-up.
“This will be Kia’s fastest and most powerful product,” promises John Hargreaves, Kia’s head of fleet and remarketing. In numerical terms, that means a zero to 62mph time of 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 162mph. The upgraded powertrain delivers 585hp and 740Nm, while still boating a theoretical driving range of 263 miles.
Those figures set the GT apart from the standard EV6, but the flagship also features technologies that will, in time, filter down to other Kia products, enabling all EV drivers to experience them. For example, there’s a specially developed 77.4kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which enables charging from 10-80% in just 18 minutes. Meanwhile, there are dual e-motors that mean the GT offers 80% more in terms of total power output than the next most powerful EV6 model. Finally high-performance tyres, brake discs and brake callipers all feature, while the recuperation system has been engineered to peak at over 300kW when combined with the car’s active braking technology.
The latest EV6’s steering wheel boasts a new two-spoke design, with a ‘GT’ button within it. This button offers the choice of a GT drive mode, which automatically configures all of the powertrain elements to their most dynamic settings, along with a GT mode, where drivers can disable ESC, and drift mode. This final setting “sends a greater proportion of power to the rear wheels for unconstrained sideways action”, says Kia.
There is no doubting that the GT is an impressive car and feat of engineering, helped by the fact it is starting from a very accomplished base in the standard EV6. There is a lot of power, impressive performance and acceleration when hitting that ‘GT’ button that is akin to a hypercar. However, the jury is out as to how much people will use all that power. Out on the road, the performance is such that speed limits are reached in record time, not to mention other road users and roadworks getting in the way. Also, at the cost of a few miles of range every time, the kick from the powertrain might not be worth it to those trying to maximise range between charges.
These attributes – plus the cost – are reasons why Kia remains realistic over the sales impact of the GT. However, as with the Stinger, the aim is so much more than just getting cars onto the road. The GT represents a seismic shift for Kia when it comes to showcasing what the company can do with electric vehicles. It is sure to surprise many – enough to make them engage with the Korean brand to see what else is on offer.
As for a ‘winner’ out of the ICE - and battery-powered halo cars? It’s a tough one and in many ways they are like chalk and cheese. There is no doubting the allure of the Stinger and its power to surprise – and impress – should not be underestimated. However, as we move to the age of the EV, the GT shows how things ‘could’ be done in the future, even if some drivers and purists think it isn’t how they ‘should’ be done.
Specs appeal
How Kia’s Stinger and EV6 GT measure up
