Kia EV6 GT Facelift Prototype Raises the Bar for Electric Vehicles

Kia EV6 GT Partially Altered
Spotted During Test Drive
High-Performance Wheel Grabs Attention

Despite being overshadowed by Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 N, the Kia EV6 GT was the fastest Korean car. The drag race video of the EV6 GT prototype, which Kia showcased at the time of the EV6’s first release, left everyone in awe.

At the time, it was astonishing to see a domestic car in its original state show acceleration comparable to that of sports cars worth hundreds of millions. Still, the time for the EV6’s facelift is fast approaching. Recently, spy shots of the EV6 GT facelift have been posted, raising expectations.

The same triangular DRL as the standard model emphasizes a more aggressive image.

Photos of what appears to be the new EV6 GT prototype were posted on Eden Car Dispatch, a specialized car blog, on the 16th. Although the standard model prototype has been spotted several times before, this is only the second time the GT model has been used. The body is mostly meticulously covered with camouflage, but there are places where you can find differences from the current model.

The headlamp features Kia’s family look element, the Starmap signature daytime running light (DRL), in a triangular shape. It operates like a regular complete triangle DRL, but only the upper part blinks when the turn signal is on. The lower front bumper is differentiated from the standard model by applying an active air flap and a lattice grill.

The new 21-inch wheel grabs the attention
What is the brake spec level?

The new wheel also catches the eye. It has transformed from a simple design reminiscent of a boomerang to a more complex design. The unique detail is based on a 5-spoke design, with one part divided into three branches on the outside. Diamond cutting is applied only to the spokes that extend in a straight line and a part of the outer rim, and the rest is painted black to make the spokes look thinner. In the center, a cover that hides all wheel nuts has been applied.

The high-performance brake system also adds presence. In particular, the front wheel suggests a significant high performance with a brake rotor and caliper that fill the 21-inch wheel. The current model is equipped with a brake system from Continental. The front rotor boasts a size of 380mm in outer diameter and 34T in thickness, and it pairs with a 4-piston monoblock caliper.

Interest in Powertrain Changes
Expected to be Unveiled in the 4th Quarter of this Year

The rear end also adds a new flavor. If the current model had several vertical lights under the tail lamp that wrapped around the entire light as a point, the new car would grab attention with a thickly processed end of the Starmap signature design. Judging by the outline of the camouflage, the rear bumper maintains the previous layout, but changes in detailed parts, such as the lower garnish and reflector, are expected.

The powertrain is likely to remain largely the same. The most plausible changes are improvements in driving range by increasing the efficiency of the electric motor and the energy density of the battery pack. A climate control screen is expected to be added to the Panorama Curved Display, as with the previously released EV9 and K4. According to the Kia CEO Investor Day announcement on the 5th, the EV6 facelift will be unveiled in the second quarter, and the EV6 GT facelift will be unveiled in the fourth quarter.