2024 Kia EV6 GT gains range; exhibited in ‘Runway Red’ and ‘Yacht Blue’

I’ll be the first to tell you that the 2024 Kia Sorento is the brand’s most important product this year, but there’s one other Kia that’s not as new but is still surprising customers in many ways – the 2024 Kia EV6 GT.

The Kia EV6 GT (not to be confused with the regular Kia EV6 GT-Line) is the South Korean brand’s biggest launch for performance enthusiasts since the Stinger GT. Electric vehicles are often seen as staid and boring, but the GT variant of the EV6 proves that they can be just as fun and capable as the sportiest gasoline-powered models.

Seen here in our exclusive photos in this article, the 2024 EV6 GT doesn’t have styling changes or many new features, but it offers an important improvement over its predecessor: a longer range.

The 2024 Kia EV6 GT, like the old model, has a 77.4 kWh battery pack and a dual-motor powertrain that produces 576 hp and 545 lb.-ft. of torque. However, it consumes 39 kWh per 100 miles, 3 kWh less than the previous model year. The lower energy consumption gives it a 12-mile higher EPA-est. range – 218 miles. The 6% improvement in the driving range may not seem much in an absolute sense, but I think it should cause less range anxiety during longer journeys.

2024 Kia EV6 GT side
The Kia EV6 GT will compete with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N from March 2024. The current alternative is the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT.

According to EPA, the 2024 EV6 GT’s annual energy cost (8,250 miles highway and 6,750 miles city) should be USD 100 less – USD 850. It is estimated to cost USD 1.46 for a 25-mile drive, USD 0.13 less than the old model. Customers buying a $60,000-EV may not care a whole lot about these figures, but I think they can look at it in the other way – more fun for the same energy price!

EVs from mainstream brands have a restricted top speed in the interest of driving range, but not the 2024 EV6 GT, which can hit 161 mph. With a 0-60 mph acceleration time of just 3.4 seconds, it can embarrass many six-digit gas-powered supercars on the dragstrip.

In fact, the new high-performance EV from Kia (2023 model) out-paced the Ferrari Roma and Lamborghini Huracan Evo supercars in a 0-60 mph acceleration test conducted by independent automotive research firm AMCI Testing.

In addition to a high-performance powertrain, it boasts Z-rated Goodyear Eagle F1 tires, 15-inch front and 14.2-inch rear disc brakes with monoblock calipers, and an electronic Limited Slip Differential (e-LSD).

Besides the familiar Eco, Normal, and Sport drive modes, Kia offers GT Drive Mode, My Drive Mode, and Drift Mode in the EV6 GT. GT Drive Mode mode automatically puts the motors, brakes, steering, suspension, e-LSD, and ESC into their most dynamic setting. Of course, drivers can customize the functioning of each of these systems. Drivers can access GT Drive Mode via a paddle behind the steering wheel.

My Drive Mode is to customize the settings as per individual preferences. The Drift Mode allows controlling the driving experience further. The driver can adjust how much power goes to the rear wheels using this mode. The Active Sound Design feature includes two additional sounds unique to the GT variant.

In addition to increasing the range, Kia has added two new convenience features to the EV6 GT as part of the 2024 model year revisions: charge port marking and charge port lighting. Priced at USD 61,00 (excl. USD 1,325 destination charge), the 2024 Kia EV6 GT is now available at U.S. dealerships.

The Kia EV6 GT’s closest rival – the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, is coming out in March 2024. Early drive reports suggest that it’s really fun to drive and that it’ll be a more capable model of the two Korean crossovers on the racetrack.

Also See: Runway Red is the sportiest color choice for the 2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line

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