Kia unveiled ‘The New Seltos’ for the first time in North America at the ‘2022 LA Auto Show’ media preview event ‘Automobility LA’ held at the Los Angeles Convention Center on the 17th (local time) and confirmed the official launch of the ‘EV6 GT’.

‘The New Seltos’ is the first model enhancement of the Seltos launched in 2019, unveiled at the Busan International Motor Show last July. With a design that adds urban sophistication, it is equipped with performance that surpasses its class and a host of safety and convenience features, ensuring continued popularity in North America. The North American market launch is planned for the first half of next year.

‘EV6 GT’ is a high-performance version of the EV6, which was launched in South Korea in October, based on the dedicated electric vehicle platform E-GMP. It features a motor and a high-output battery that significantly enhance performance compared to the EV6, achieving unprecedented power levels and promising an exhilarating driving experience for North American customers, thus heralding the arrival of a high-performance electric vehicle era.

The exterior design of ‘The New Seltos’ inherits the robust and dynamic style of the previous model while integrating future-oriented design elements. The front boasts a majestic mesh radiator grille, traversed by a star-map signature lighting and wide-shaped LED projection, creating a more innovative and modern atmosphere.

The interior incorporates a horizontal image with high-tech sensibilities to embody a unique sense of luxury. It features a panoramic display connecting the 10.25-inch cluster and 10.25-inch navigation for enhanced visibility.

‘The New Seltos’ diversifies customer choice by offering an improved performance with a 2.0 gasoline engine and a 1.6 gasoline turbo engine, while enhancing its competitiveness with the new 8-speed automatic transmission.

The 2.0 gasoline engine achieves a maximum output of 147 horsepower and a maximum torque of 18.3 kgf∙m, providing excellent performance and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) for smooth gear shifts and quiet driving experiences.

The 1.6 gasoline turbo engine delivers a maximum output of 195 horsepower and a maximum torque of 27.0 kgf∙m, exhibiting efficient and dynamic driving performance, with the new 8-speed automatic transmission improving refinement and response during high-speed driving.

Kia has equipped ‘The New Seltos’ with industry-leading advanced driver assistance systems and various convenience technologies to ensure safety and ease of use.

The EV6 GT, operating in a single all-wheel drive trim, combines a rear motor with a maximum output of 270 kW and a maximum torque of 390 Nm with a front motor that delivers 160 kW and 350 Nm, resulting in a total output of 430 kW (585 horsepower) and a maximum torque of 740 Nm (75.5 kgf∙m).

This allows for explosive acceleration, reaching 100 km/h from a standstill in just 3.5 seconds and delivering dynamic driving performance with a top speed of 260 km/h.

It also features a 400V/800V multi-charging system, enabling a charge from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes using the 800V ultra-fast charging system.

With the launch of the EV6 GT, Kia expects to offer customers a dynamic driving experience previously unheard of, catering to those who seek the joy of driving, thus ushering in a full era of high-performance electric vehicles.

The EV6 GT is equipped with numerous specifications to ensure customers can safely and comfortably experience its powerful performance.

The front monoblock 4-piston calipers, which are larger and more powerful than the standard model, deliver outstanding braking performance. Additionally, the car’s structure is reinforced with features like ‘front strut bars’ and ‘rear luggage floor reinforcement bars,’ allowing drivers to easily control the vehicle even at high speeds, achieving nimble handling performance.

Furthermore, the EV6 GT offers a specialized driving mode that enhances enjoyment behind the wheel.

The ‘GT mode’ automatically optimizes the motor, brakes, steering, dampers, and e-LSD to unleash the explosive acceleration and dynamic cornering capabilities of the EV6 GT. Notably, the RBM (Regenerative Braking Maximization) function, which maximizes regenerative braking usage, is implemented for the first time in the Hyundai Motor Group.

For the first time, Kia has introduced a ‘Drift mode.’ During cornering, it distributes maximum driving power to the rear motor, inducing ‘oversteer,’ which is when the vehicle turns sharper than intended, enhancing the joy of drifting. This setup allows for quicker exit from curves by distributing driving power to the front wheels compared to distributing it solely to the rear wheels.

The EV6 GT not only integrates various features but also embodies the emotional aspects of a high-performance electric vehicle, paired with a design befitting its powerful performance.

Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr