Revamped Kia EV6 GT gets tech from Hyundai Ioniq 5N

The Kia EV6 was updated in May and is available at the end of July. However, the Korean brand reserved the most powerful and sporty GT version for later this year. Unsurprisingly, the future revamped EV6 GT will get a new front fascia, rear bumper, and, more importantly, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N’s virtual transmission.

Hyundai and Kia’s electric crossovers share the same E-GMP platform and most of their components. Therefore, if electric motors are carried over, the updated Kia EV6 GT should get a power upgrade to 650 hp.

‘N e-Shift Mode’ on a Kia

A few months ago, Kia lifted the veil on its new EV6—at least in Korea. For now, Kia has only revealed information and specifications for models on its home market, and European-specific specs remain to be seen.

We know the new EV6 has a new front fascia, an updated rear section, and, most importantly, a larger 84-kWh battery. This aligns with the sister Hyundai Ioniq 5, which recently benefited from an update.

This technological update isn’t the only thing the future Kia EV6 will get from its sister. A spokesperson from the brand hinted that the future sporty version, known as the EV6 GT, would get the virtual transmission from the Ioniq 5N.

That technology called ‘N e-Shift Mode’, which made all the front pages at the launch of the sporty Hyundai, mimics the gearchanges of a dual-clutch gearbox, mated to a 2.0-liter turbo engine, alongside all the noises.

From 585 to 650 hp?

This is exciting for those seeking some old-fashioned fun from their EV. If the EV6 gets the virtual transmission, it’s safe to say that it could also share all the other impressive technology from the Ioniq 5N. Those include the ‘N Drift Optimiser’, which would bring a specific drift mode to a Kia, and the 650 hp of electric power from two electric motors.

According to the spokesperson talking to Carscoops, the Kia EV6 GT will be a different beast from the Ioniq 5N. The latter is an electric super-hot hatch, while the first should remain, first and foremost, a GT.