Skip advert
Advertisement

More Kia GT electric performance models in the pipeline

The new EV6 GT sets the blueprint for the brand to roll-out more performance-focused electric cars

Kia EV6 - side

Kia will offer more performance-focused ‘GT’-badged models in its dedicated line-up of electric cars, following the template set by the brand’s recently revealed EV6 and EV6 GT, according to Kia Head of Global Brand and Customer Experience Division, Artur Martins.

“For us it was really important that this car delivers on the brand that we want to build and how we want to position Kia for the future,” Martins told Auto Express. 

“It is important for us that the new products that we’re going to bring on the dedicated platform [Kia’s E-GMP underpinnings] that we are consistent with the brand in terms of the elements that, together, will stand for the values of Kia. The GT is an important element of that.”

Advertisement - Article continues below

Kia has carried over its sporty GT nameplate from its range of combustion-engined cars for the EV6 GT, with the tag previously being applied to its Stinger large hatchback and the Ceed five-door family car.

Martins outlined that Kia’s idea is “to keep applying that strategy moving forward” hinting at the fact that more GT-badged models from Kia’s dedicated EV line-up - which will be badged EV1 to EV9 - will appear in the future.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

“It’s important that we have these products and derivatives in the portfolio that have a little bit more character and that offer the consumer a real exciting experience with EVs that in the past were seen as boring cars. As you will see from the EV6 GT, they can be a very fun to drive product.” 

Martins also outlined that any future EV-badged models in Kia’s line-up would have to meet the needs of customers, with his colleague - Kia Head of Global Design Centre, Karim Habib - backing up Martin’s comments by adding that consistency in Kia’s EV offering will be key.

“Some of the features and technologies you see [in the EV6] you will find in other vehicles. It starts a new generation of vehicles and there will be things that will be consistent in all vehicles.”

Habib did follow up by saying that there will be obvious differences between Kia’s dedicated EV models on the E-GMP platform in the future to “allow for a greater bandwidth,” but as is the case with Kia’s current GT-badged offerings, the products deliver performance in a slightly different way to cater for the needs of customers buying in that segment. 

Kia’s GT-badged EVs will probably follow a similar path, but it certainly seems as though more are on the way. 

One thing Kia’s EV customers will have to wait for, however, is a subscription sales model. Martins told us that while Kia is ramping up its online sales model on all cars, as forced to by the Covid-19 pandemic and consumers looking to buy cars online, it’s at the exploratory phase for a subscription ownership model. Such a scheme would be a response to  “customer demand for different ownership opportunities, not necessarily buying the cars, but that it’s definitely part of our future plans.”

Click here for our list of the fastest electric cars in the world...

Skip advert
Advertisement

Sean’s been writing about cars since 2010, having worked for outlets as diverse as PistonHeads, MSN Cars, Which? Cars, Race Tech – a specialist motorsport publication – and most recently Auto Express and sister titles Carbuyer and DrivingElectric

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Kia PV5 electric van arriving in April to take on the Ford E-Transit Custom
Kia PV5 silhouette - front left 3/4

Kia PV5 electric van arriving in April to take on the Ford E-Transit Custom

The van will be revealed at CV Show and lead new Kia Professional Business Vans range
News
23 Jan 2025
Kia UK boss calls for clear ZEV roadmap, plus “modest” consumer incentives
Kia's UK boss, Paul Philpott standing next to a Kia EV6

Kia UK boss calls for clear ZEV roadmap, plus “modest” consumer incentives

Brand CEO says ZEV mandate is a threat, asking for clarity from the Labour government
News
6 Jan 2025
Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond
Best new cars coming soon - header image

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond

These are the biggest and most important new cars headed our way, from brands including Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more
Best cars & vans
1 Jan 2025
New baby Kia EV2 affordable electric car caught in early tests
Kia EV2 - spyshot front

New baby Kia EV2 affordable electric car caught in early tests

Kia’s EV electric car range will grow again in 2026 with the arrival of the EV2, and we’ve spotted it testing
News
7 Nov 2024

Most Popular

New Toyota MR2 is all but confirmed
Toyota MR2 design render (watermarked)

New Toyota MR2 is all but confirmed

Work is under way on a new petrol two-seater that will use the mid-engined powertrain from Toyota's Tokyo Auto Salon concept
News
22 Jan 2025
Motorists are rejecting electric cars, it's clear hybrids are the answer
Mike Rutherford - Motorists are rejecting electric cars, it's clear hybrids are the answer - header

Motorists are rejecting electric cars, it's clear hybrids are the answer

Mike Rutherford believes motorists will snub electric cars in favour of hybrids for years to come
Opinion
19 Jan 2025
Toyota Land Cruiser review
Toyota Land Cruiser - main image

Toyota Land Cruiser review

The latest Toyota Land Cruiser is more sophisticated, stylish, and tech-laden, but gives up none of its predecessor’s capability
In-depth reviews
20 Jan 2025