2026 Kia EV6 GT electric car gets power bump, simulated gear shifts

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The 2026 Kia EV6 GT has been announced, marking the first major update of the performance electric SUV since its launch – with increased power and a virtual gearbox headlining the changes.

Details were revealed at the 2024 Los Angeles motor show, with the range-topping EV6 GT to gain the facelift unveiled by Kia in May 2024, while also borrowing several features from its non-identical twin, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N – though only images of the pictured GT-Line been supplied at this stage.

The refreshed EV6 GT sees power increase from 430kW to 448kW from it dual electric motors – with torque remaining at 740Nm.

However, when GT mode is activated, power is temporarily boosted to 478kW and 770Nm, along with enabling the Virtual Gear Shift feature, which replicates gear shifts as if the vehicle had a traditional high-performance petrol engine and transmission.

Using simulated power cuts, adjustments to the electric motors’ torque outputs, and engine sound effects, it provides the same sensation to the driver of changing gears with a dual-clutch automatic transmission.

MORE: 2025 Kia EV6 electric car facelift revealed with longer range, due in Australia this year

While sprint times haven’t been announced, curiously the recently-released Ioniq 5 N has the same claimed 3.5-second 0-100km/h time as the outgoing, pre-facelift Kia EV6 GT.

Along with the additional performance, the EV6 range upgrades from 58kWh and 77.4kWh batteries for slightly larger 63kWh as standard, and an optional 84kWh battery pack – both also borrowed from the Ioniq 5.

With the new long-range battery, the rear-wheel-drive EV6 is rated to travel up to 513 kilometres on a single charge – an increase of 15km over the outgoing version.

But it’s not just about outright speed. Kia says both ride and handling have been tweaked, with “improved steering response” due to a new belt-drive steering column, while the EV6’s chassis has been reinforced to comply with more demanding safety standards.

An electric tilt and reach steering column has also been added, with greater use of sound-deadening materials to reduce wind and road noise.

MORE: Why the 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N heralds a new benchmark in electric driving enjoyment

As previously reported, the facelifted EV6 consists of sharper, sculpted LED headlights and daytime-running lights – bringing the model into line with the rest of the Kia line-up – along with a new front bumper and LED tail-light graphics.

Inside, the addition of Connected Car Navigation Cockpit operating system introduces standard over-the-air (OTA) update capability.

Owners can now use their compatible smartphone to access their EV6 without having to hold the device, thanks to Digital Key 2.0, which can also support key sharing via text with family and friends.

Australian pricing and specifications for the 2026 Kia EV6 GT have yet to be announced, but deliveries are expected to follow the rest of the range, which are arriving at local showrooms at the end of 2024.

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