Is the Kia EV6 GT really a supercar in drag?

In particular, EVs are forcing buyers to recalibrate their notions of what constitutes a ‘sports car’.

We’ve already got sports SUVs but now Kia is aiming to shake up the class with...what? The EV6 GT could be a family hatchback, an estate car, a four-door coupe or even a low-riding SUV (if you squint a bit).

What’s beyond all doubt is that the EV6 GT is the most powerful car Kia has ever built - by a huge margin.

The late Stinger GT coupe had 365bhp. In order to achieve that, it needed a 3.3-litre engine fitted with twin turbos. This made it quick - but the downside was an unquenchable thirst for super unleaded. Its exhaust emissions of 225g/km of carbon dioxide also left it out-of-step with buyers looking to reduce their carbon footprint, not make it worse.

The EV6 GT has a phenomenal 576bhp on tap courtesy of an all-electric dual-motor powertrain which uses motors on the front and rear axles working together.

A front-axle-mounted motor – the same as that found in the standard AWD EV6 – delivers 160 kW (218 PS) from 4,400 to 9,000 rpm. This is paired with a powerful new rear-mounted motor producing 270 kW (367 PS) from @ 6,800 to 9,400 rpm, to deliver a combined power output of 430 kW (585 PS) and an astonishing 740 Nm of torque.

The total power output of the EV6 GT is a remarkable 80% higher than that of the next most powerful EV6 variant, the AWD dual-motor model, which has 239 kW / 325 PS and 605 Nm of torque (front and rear motors combined).

(Image: Kia Motors)

Naturally, the power and traction generated by the EV6 GT’s dual-motor, all-wheel drive layout allows for truly hair-raising performance. The GT can accelerate from 0-to-62mph in just 3.5 seconds – making this the quickest Kia ever – and reach a top speed of 162mph. The standard EV6 is no slouch at 5.2 seconds and 115mph, but the GT is operating on another level.

Looked at another way, this is a Kia with almost as much power and torque as a Ferrari Roma (which has 612bhp and 740NM of twist).

But it achieves this performance without emitting so much as a carbon of noxious exhaust fumes.

And it’s as happy trundling to the shops as it is thundering across the continent.

Select ‘eco’ mode and it’s as docile as a lazy tabby after a plateful of Whiskas, but press the ‘GT’ button on the steering wheel and it transforms into a snarling alley-cat - fairly leaping forward in its desire to get moving.

All that’s missing is the dramatic soundtrack. Kia does provide the option to have an engine ‘note’ piped into the cabin, but the woofly bass sounds like a lazy V-8 and you’re always aware that it’s a synthetic recreation and not the real thing.

Kia has gone to great lengths to control the inevitable increases in heat, centrifugal force, noise and vibration that is generated when the high-performance rear motor operates at its upper limits.

Engineers improved the distribution of forces throughout the motor’s structure by reinforcing the bearing cage and permanent magnet arrangement, and by optimising the layout of the rotor core. Noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) has been further mitigated with the introduction of a new dual-piece rotor shaft.

The EV6 GT’s unique suspension package ensures the car’s ride remains flat in all situations – mitigating roll when cornering or when doing lane changes at high speed, as well as limiting squat during rapid acceleration and dive under braking. At the same time, Kia’s engineering team have ensured the ride retains a high degree of fluidity and compliance whichever drive mode is selected, so that it remains an enjoyable place to be for all occupants, even over long distances.

It’s the latter that gives the game away. An out-and-out sportscar would make no such concessions to your comfort.

Nor would it be able to transport you and four adults in comfort, with a boot big enough to swallow several suitcases full of their clobber. With the second-row seats folded down, stowage capacity increases from 480 litres to 1,260 litres.

The interior is well-made from top-class materials.

Occupants are greeted by a set of suede-trimmed bucket seats that provide full support during spirited driving, as well as long-distance comfort for extended journeys. Metal inserts inscribed with the ‘GT’ moniker and neon green piping remind passengers that this is no ordinary EV6.

A striped motif adorns the upper fascia and front centre armrest, while ambient lighting across the GT’s door panels, centre console and dashboard delivers a soothing glow during night-time driving.

Dual curved 12.3-inch infotainment displays deliver all driving, connectivity and entertainment functions in pin-sharp clarity, and the simple form language of the wide screens and horizontally aligned dashboard give the interior a comfortable and high-tech feel. The system is reasonably easy to use and has crisp reactions.

The ergonomic two-spoke steering wheel includes the dedicated new GT Drive Mode selector, enabling drivers to easily access and customise their driving experience.

Downsides? Well it could do with more range. The 77.4 kWh offers a real-world maximum of 200 miles (less if you get too enthusiastic). A car with this kind of performance is crying out for more.

But that’s something for the mid-life refresh and at least it can be charged from 10-80% in just 18 minutes.

So what is the EV6 GT? Sports car, family car, grand tourer (range issues aside) - it really is all things to all drivers.

And a Ferrari’s so... 20th Century these days.