Kia EV6 GT Getting Something Special From Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

The Kia EV6 GT debuted in October 2022, and it was such an impressive machine that it immediately won the 2023 World Performance Car of the Year award. Fast-forward to July last year, and Hyundai has revealed the Ioniq 5 N on the same architecture as the EV6 but with even more impressive performance attributes, including the N e-Shift system which simulates an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. While even the Genesis GV60 has had a similar feature since the 2024 model year, a simulated gearbox has been conspicuously absent from the EV6 GT, but according to insiders speaking with Carscoops, that oversight is about to be addressed.

Simulated Shifts, But What About The Other Tech?

According to the insider, the EV6 GT will benefit from the added engagement of a fake gearbox but “won’t get all” of the Ioniq 5 N’s unique features because it’s “intended as more of a GT car.” Its styling reflects this more laid-back approach to performance, while the Ioniq 5 N is all about extremism from every angle. The Hyundai’s powertrain also has a higher peak output of 641 horsepower (for bursts of up to 10 seconds; 601 hp in regular operating conditions) compared to 576 hp in the EV6 GT.

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Another distinct difference can be found in how each EV kicks its tail out. While the EV6 GT has an effective but relatively traditional drift mode, the Ioniq 5 N’s N Drift Optimizer includes a Torque Kick Drift function that mimics a clutch kick in a regular RWD car with a manual transmission. This and all the other N-specific features make the latter a better performance car than the former, and these differences are evident in pricing, with the EV6 GT starting at $61,600 while the Ioniq 5 N starts at $67,495; adding too many high-tech improvements to the EV6 GT would require a loftier asking price.

Kia Is Always Looking For More

In late 2021, CarBuzz spoke with Russel Wager, Kia’s VP of marketing for North America, and he indicated that more potency and engagement were always in the cards for the EV6 GT: “We’ll always be looking for more performance. Nothing is impossible here.” The regular Kia EV6 was recently updated, and as the horsepower wars continue to escalate, it’s quite possible that the facelift of the GT will get a little more grunt than it currently offers, potentially drawing closer to the 600-hp mark.

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It appears that Hyundai models will continue to lead the conglomerate’s performance portfolio with segment-leading figures and technology, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be more excitement from Kia. A GT version of the EV9 is coming early next year, and so is a warmed-up EV5 crossover – albeit later on and not necessarily to America. On the more luxurious side of things, Genesis Magma aims to steal the limelight from AMG and its compatriots. As for when the EV6 GT will be updated, all we know is that it’ll arrive later this year. Korea is cooking, and we look forward to seeing what else will be served up.

Source:
Carscoops