Kia’s Most Important EV Is Finally Getting The Sporty Edge It Needs

A prototype of the upcoming EV3 GT with dual motors and aggressive upgrades has been spotted undergoing testing

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The all-electric Kia EV3 is about to get a welcome injection of excitement. While the standard model covers the basics well, it hasn’t been engineered with driving fun in mind. That is about to change, as Kia develops a sharper GT version aimed at adding some much-needed energy to the EV3’s driving character and tempting buyers who want more power underfoot.

We had our first chance to see the EV3 GT testing during winter earlier this year, but recently, it headed to the Nurburgring Nordschleife for some on-track testing. The latest spy photos reveal the prototype still wrapped in thick body cladding, disguising several visual tweaks and aerodynamic changes.

Read: Kia’s Dual-Motor EV3 GT Shows Interior In Latest Spy Shots

Given that so much of the car is hidden, it seems likely that quite a lot of changes have been made to the body. Expect a reshaped front end, likely with a new grille and reworked air intakes. Subtle changes at the rear are also on the cards, even though they are difficult to pick out in these images.

What else is new?

This prototype is fitted with a different set of wheels than the Hyundai Ioniq 6 rims used on the mule spotted last February. The design is similar to those already available on the EV3, but with more silver detailing that gives them a sportier look. The bright green brake calipers at the rear are also hard to miss.

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Turning up the power

The current Kia EV3 uses a single, front-mounted electric motor with 201 hp. That’s plenty for everyday driving duties, but it isn’t enough to get enthusiasts excited. The EV3 GT will solve this by adding a small electric motor at the rear, giving the EV all-wheel drive traction.

However, prospective buyers shouldn’t get their hopes up for any remarkable levels of performance. In fact, the EV3 GT may not even have 300 hp, and could deliver nearer to 280 hp. That’s less than half the 601 hp of the EV6 GT.

The current flagship 81.4 kWh battery pack of the EV3 will probably be the only option. The front-drive version with this pack can currently travel up to 362 miles (583 km) on a single charge, but this range figure will obviously be reduced for the GT. The 400-volt architecture of the standard car will be retained.  

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