- The new Kia EV9 GT will accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds
- GT button releases full power, firms suspension and makes noises
- It is the first Kia SUV to receive electronically controlled adaptive suspension
While this year's Los Angeles Auto Show has been disappointingly lacking in exciting new launches, Kia chose it as a platform to showcase the upcoming EV 9 GT, a model that will deliver 501 hp with two electric motors and a sprint time of 0 to 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds. …despite weighing 5,886 pounds (or 2.6 tons for Imperial fans).
Based on the massive three-row electric SUV that was launched late last year in some markets, the GT version, which goes on sale in 2025, features a 160 kW motor driving the front wheels and a 270 kW motor. kW bolted to the rear.
It is recommended to use the same 100 kWh battery as the long-range model, which can go around 300 miles on a single charge when driven sensibly.
But sensible driving won't exactly be the order of the day, as Kia has introduced a very tempting, very bright GT button on the steering wheel that firms up the suspension, thanks to the introduction of electronically adjustable dampers, fine-tunes the steering and throttle response. , while adding more weight to the brake feel.
Kia isn't purely a straight-line endurance champion, but Kia says the EV9 GT will be able to handle the twistiest of roads and disguise some of its planetary mass with clever suspension and steering calibration. Customers also enjoy heavily bolstered sports seats and flashes of 'GT' throughout the cabin.
The brake calipers have also been painted in an attractive neon green, similar to the Kia EV6 GT, while that model's electronic limited slip differential (e-LSD), which detects a loss of traction at each wheel and reduces torque to improve handling. , has also been borrowed and implemented.
The final piece of the party is what Kia calls Virtual Gear Shift (VGS), which simulates the strokes of a traditional step-shift automatic transmission and is operated via steering wheel-mounted paddles.
To complement this, Kia has also taken inspiration from sister company Hyundai's Ioniq 5 N and seen fit to equip the EV9 GT with similar fake engine noises (Electric Active Sound Design) that are mapped to the accelerator pedal and gear shifts. virtual marching. , with the resulting soundtrack pumped into the cabin.
Analysis: Fast, fun but probably very juicy
Efficiency was never the big EV9's strong point, as a powerful cocktail of enormous curb weight and its blunt, non-aerodynamic styling means that electric range is consumed quickly, especially when driving at constant motorway speeds or like a hooligan. .
This attractive GT version will only further tempt the inner driving demon, which will inevitably mean more time spent charging. Fortunately, the EV9's 800V fast charging architecture means that a recharge from 10 to 80 percent takes less than 25 minutes with a DC fast charger.
Additionally, starting in May or June next year (no firm date yet), Kia has also stated that all EV9 models sold in the US will come equipped as standard with the North American Charging Standard (NACS) port. from Tesla, with CCS adapters available. as an optional extra for those who want the widest possible network coverage.