Kia Motors Europe has mentioned additional particulars of the upcoming EV6 GT electrical efficiency flagship, set to change into the “most speedy manufacturing Kia and Hyundai Motor Group car so far”.
Simply final week Kia Australia confirmed particulars of its testing and tuning program for the upcoming halo mannequin – beginning on the undulating bends of the Nurburgring Nordschleife, and going by way of its remaining levels on Australian roads.
The flagship is because of launch in Australia in the course of the fourth quarter of 2022, with native and pricing and specification to be detailed nearer to that point.
We’re anticipating the corporate’s new flagship to be priced across the $100,000 mark, with the model’s native division reporting numerous $2000 deposits have already been positioned.
With 430kW (585PS) and 740Nm, the EV6 GT is Kia’s strongest manufacturing automotive ever, quoting a 0-100km/h time of three.5 seconds on its approach to a high velocity of 260km/h.
These figures match the “estimated” targets Kia set on the reveal of its new “dynamic halo” over a yr in the past. Right here we’ll affirm extra particulars of the GT’s enhancements over normal fashions, not less than for the European market, given native specs might differ barely.
Key to the efficiency beneficial properties is a brand new rear electrical motor that bumps energy by 63 per cent in comparison with the rear motor fitted to common EV6 fashions. By itself, the EV6 GT’s rear electrical motor makes 270kW (6800-9400rpm), including to the entrance motor’s 160kW (4400-9000rpm).
Probably the most highly effective present variant of the EV6, the AWD dual-motor model supplied domestically solely in GT-Line trim, makes 239kW and 605Nm mixed. It manages to sprint from 0 to 100km/h in 5.2 seconds on its approach to a high velocity of 185km/h.
As normal the EV6 GT comes fitted with the long-range 77.4kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which the European arm says is sweet for a claimed 424 kilometres of driving vary. Additional, it may be charged from 10 to 80 per cent in as little as 18 minutes.
Along with the additional grunt, Kia has upgraded cooling efficiency with a coil pack flushed with oil along with the present water cooling for the electrical motor.
Kia says this method helps to keep up “secure temperatures even in excessive circumstances and through sustained high-speed operation”.
Different measures embrace reinforcing the bearing cage and everlasting magnet association within the rear efficiency motor’s construction, which the corporate says assist to handle the will increase in warmth, centrifugal forces, and noise and vibration generated when the rear motor “operates at its higher limits.
Additional NVH suppression has apparently been achieved with a brand new dual-piece motor shaft as nicely.
The corporate has made quite a few adjustments to the EV6 GT’s suspension componentry in comparison with the usual car, with the intention of providing “a breadth of dynamic capabilities to rival the very best sporting grand tourers”.
There’s a brand new two-arm setup for the MacPherson strut suspension which claims to raised handle vertical actions and keep constant contact with the highway floor beneath elevated cornering masses.
There are new springs as nicely, that are 9 per cent softer on the entrance and 11 per cent stiffer on the rear in comparison with the usual European mannequin – leading to a 5mm decrease trip peak. The EV6 GT has a 15 per cent stiffer rear anti-roll bar too.
Moreover, the EV6 GT will get a novel variable gear ratio steering system, which quotes 2.3 turns lock-to-lock for the GT in comparison with 2.67 for the usual EV6.
Kia Australia lately detailed its native trip and dealing with tuning program that’s already commenced on native roads, sizzling off the heels of preliminary dynamic testing on the Nurburgring Nordschleife in Germany. It might imply the native tune might differ from the quoted European changes – learn extra on that right here.
An digital limited-slip differential (e-LSD) with Sensible Traction and Sensible Yaw Damping features routinely shuffles torque to the wheels with essentially the most grip, whereas additionally balancing road-holding and luxury in keeping with the “long-legged GT transient”.
The GT options Digital Management Suspension (ECS) with semi-active high-performance dampers that are distinctive to the efficiency mannequin, and will be tailor-made in line with the chosen drive mode.
Talking of drive modes, there’s a brand new GT drive mode accessed through the brand new neon button on the steering wheel. The brand new mode routinely configures the EV6 GT’s motors, braking, dampers, e-LSD and ESC into their most aggressive settings for max assault.
The ESC permits a higher stage of tyre slip, and will be switched off altogether for “heightened oversteer potential”, in line with Kia Europe’s media launch.
On the subject of oversteer potential, there’s an accessible Drift Mode that may ship as much as 100 per cent of energy to the rear “for unconstrained sideways motion,” after which drive will be distributed again to the entrance wheels on exit to enhance grip and acceleration.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4S efficiency tyres might be fitted to the Kia EV6 GT in Europe, which have been particularly designed for this car.
They measure 255/40 R21 in comparison with the EV6 GT-Line AWD’s 255/45 R20 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV tyres supplied within the European market.
Behind the sticky tyres and large 21-inch alloys, there are bigger 380mm entrance and 360mm rear ventilated brake discs with four-piston entrance callipers. Kia says one of many causes for selecting the brand new 21-inch alloy wheel package deal was to accommodate the bigger brakes.
Mentioned brakes characteristic an Built-in Digital Booster (IEB) which claims to scale back braking distances, with Regular and Sport modes permitting drivers to tailor the sensitivity of the brake pedal.
It combines with the present regenerative braking system, which is calibrated to peak at 150kW recuperation, which when mixed with lively braking, peaks at “over 300kW recuperation” within the EV6 GT. Like normal variations, there are six regenerative braking ranges, together with an i-Pedal mode that permits for one-pedal driving.
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