A leak reveals that the future EV8 will be equipped with an impressive 113,2 kWh battery giving it up to 800 km of range. Two electric motors will give it an all-wheel-drive and 450 kW (603 hp).

The leak comes from Kia’s Union New Car Production Schedule and it shows a glimpse of the future high-performance and high-mileage electric sedan. The code name is ‘GT1’. It’ll come into production in 2026 under the name ‘EV8’ and replace the current Kia Stinger and K8.

Up to 800 km of range

Rumors were already spreading of a new high-performance electric Kia. Still, a leak from Kia’s Union New Car Production Schedule confirms that the car being developed under the code name ‘GT1’ will become the future EV8. The future electric sedan will be the first Kia model on Hyundai Motor Group’s new electric platform, eM. The new high-efficiency platform will spawn its first model, the Genesis GV90, in 2025.

One year later 2026, the future Kia EV8 should arrive on the road with impressive figures. Current information shows a large 113.2 kWh battery, even more significant than the current EV9’s 99.8 kWh battery. The EV8 is expected to achieve a range from 700 to 800 km. It should exceed the current record holder, the Mercedes EQS (750 km WLTP).

Most powerful Kia ever

Not only will the EV8 become the electric Kia with the most extended range, but it should also become the fastest. Power will come from two electric motors, 200 kW at the front and 250 kW at the rear, with a combined output of 450 kW (603 hp). This should make the EV8 faster than the current 576 hp EV6 GT.

The leak also shows other versions, including a rear-wheel-drive 218-hp entry-level version and an all-wheel-drive 435-hp variant. All information should be confirmed in late 2025 or early 2026, as the vehicle code name GT1 should morph into the future EV8.

Before that launch, Kia is continuing to roll out electric vehicles on its current e-GMP platform. The Korean carmaker is expected to launch two new entry-level EVs, the EV3 and the EV4. The first should arrive this year, while the second has been delayed to 2025.