The Kia EV6 GT is the Korean brand’s most powerful production vehicle and the good news is the EV6 family is on its way to SA.

The Kia EV6 GT is a frighteningly fast and advanced vehicle. Packing 430 kW and 740 Nm, this interestingly-styled car can sprint to 100 kph in 3.4 seconds and maxes out at 258 kph.

Under the skin, there’s 800V charging architecture, a 77.4 kWh battery, a front mounted 160 kW motor and a rear mounted 270 kW motor. The handling and stopping list is also impressive, with huge brakes featuring 4-piston callipers, quicker ratio steering, electronically adjustable suspension, stiffened chassis, as well as an electronic limited-slip differential. There’s even a drift mode!

As far as charging is concerned, if you’re plugged into a 350 kW DC charger, you’ll go from 10-80% in under 20 minutes. South Africa doesn’t have chargers that potent yet, so expect slower charging times when the vehicle makes its way here. There are more and more chargers being installed in SA, view them here.

The Kia EV6 GT gets gorgeous sports seats

The Kia EV6 is highly lauded in European car markets, and we’re interested to see how its received and what the take up is locally. Yes, that’s right, it is coming to South Africa.

Don’t expect to see many on the roads as demand globally has been exceptionally high and like most brands, stock shortages are likely to come into play. According to a communication from Kia SA towards the end of August 2022, the brand said “while a local launch date has not been set, the available number of units will be small initially”

“We sense a healthy appetite not only for electric vehicles as a whole in South Africa, but also for the EV6 specifically,” says Gary Scott, CEO, Kia South Africa, highlighting that there are many factors influencing the decision, not least of which a consistent supply. “We are mindful that we must bring in products to cement Kia’s EV leadership position in the local motorist’s mind, but it will not make that impact as a niche passion project. People must not only desire the product, it must also be attainable.”

2023 EV6 GT is one very quick performer

Pricing will be critical, of course, but given the current crop of EVs in SA, we reckon something like the EV6 would be priced right amongst things like the BMW iX and Audi e-tron SUV. The EV6 GT is on another level in terms of performance and range, and will be priced accordingly. Consider where the Audi e-tron RS GT is positioned as a guideline.

Some would argue there’s a perception that Kia is a cheap brand, but we reckon the current raft of products buck that notion quite easily. “Kia is not a luxury brand,” he says. “We’re an alternative to luxury, with an undeniable blend of quality, design and technology. We will look to launch EV6 in limited volumes, and to introduce further models that will establish a more diverse powertrain offering across varying segments for private, commercial and fleet use.”

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