The 2025 Kia EV6 GT Will get Ioniq 5 N-Fashion ‘Digital Gear Shift’

• The Kia EV6 GT hasn’t been absolutely revealed but, however Kia gave some particulars about it on the 2025 EV6’s debut on the Los Angeles Auto Present.
• The EV6 GT now packs 601 hp and 545 lb.-ft. of torque, or as much as 641 hp and 568 lb.-ft. of torque with overboost.
• Most notably, it will get a “Digital Gear Shift function” that sounds just like the Ioniq 5 N.

Simply admit it: you like the thought of simulated gear shifting in electrical automobiles. Oh, you could act such as you hate the anachronistic thought of adjusting “gears” in a automotive that technically solely has a one-speed transmission as a result of it ruins the “purity” of the graceful and environment friendly EV expertise. Or perhaps you are a fuel automotive purist and the thought of making an attempt to simulate a transmission is, at greatest, like watching a clip of your favourite band on somebody’s Instagram reel when you might have had a front-row seat to the present as a substitute. 

However deep down, you already know you are unsuitable. And you want each EV may do this. How do I do know this? As a result of each single one who drives the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, whether or not they’re a die-hard EV particular person or essentially the most hardcore electro-skeptic, completely loves it. They usually love the pretend shifting most of all. 

Even Jeremy Clarkson calls the Ioniq 5 N “as a lot enjoyable as is humanly doable.” Jeremy Clarkson! A person who made a complete profession out of being very mad that it is not 1968 anymore. Shut up and embrace the pretend EV shifting, you nerds. Discover some pleasure in your life for as soon as.

Picture by: InsideEVs

2025 Kia EV6 GT-Line European Spec Pictures, Runaway Crimson

And pleasure will certainly be on order with the brand new 2025 Kia EV6 GT. The U.S.-spec model of Kia’s up to date crossover made its debut at present on the LA Auto Present. And whereas there’s nonetheless lots we do not find out about it, we now have energy specs and one key element: the EV6 GT now will get a simulated gear shift function.

“The GT’s new Digital Gear Shift function enhances driving immersion by simulating gear shifts with visuals, engine sound results, and a tactile sensation by motor torque changes,” Kia officers mentioned in a information launch. And that is all they must say for now, however we’ll try to get extra on the present itself if we are able to. 

Since Kia and Hyundai are owned by the identical guardian firm however are technically separate entities, the information launch doesn’t point out the Ioniq 5 N. But it is clear that one thing comparable will now be added to the Ioniq 5’s platform-mate, the EV6. And on the Hyundai, the “N e-Shift” function actually goes the gap.

2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N First Drive Assessment

That automotive simulates an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission utilizing the paddles usually used to regulate regenerative braking depth on different Hyundai Motor Group vehicles. When activated—and it has a standard “drive” setting as any DCT would—it really works a lot the identical approach: left paddle to go down a “gear,” proper to go up. After all, the EVs do not need a number of ahead gears. They’ve a lot prompt torque that gears should not essential to attain completely different speeds as they’d be on a fuel engine, which places energy to the wheels far much less effectively. 

However the Ioniq 5 N can be particular for the way it simulates the “really feel” of drugs shifting, together with the jolt and temporary interruption in energy that occurs and the mechanical resistance that is regular upon downshifting. The Ioniq 5 N additionally simulates engine sounds by the audio system, will allow you to rev the “engine” whereas parked and has a “redline” you may hit earlier than you might want to shift once more. It is all nice enjoyable.

Picture by: InsideEVs

2025 Kia EV6 GT-Line European Spec Pictures, Runaway Crimson

Primarily based on Kia’s assertion, we are able to anticipate some model of that for the EV6, however I am desperate to see Kia’s spin on issues. I am certain engineers will discover some approach to make it pretty distinctive to this automotive.

Past that, we all know a couple of different specs, together with energy. The GT delivers 601 hp and 545 lb.-ft. of torque, up from 576 hp earlier than. With GT Mode activated, you get a full 641 hp and 568 lb.-ft. of torque. In contrast to the remainder of the EV6 line, the GT will nonetheless be made in South Korea, not Kia’s Georgia manufacturing facility, so it will not qualify for U.S. EV tax credit at buy. Pricing has not been launched but, nor have official photographs: what you see above is the European-spec Kia EV6 GT-Line, which is visually comparable. 

So now we’re all questioning the identical factor, proper? The brand new Kia EV6 GT, or the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N? We now have cause to imagine the Kia is a hotted-up model of the present mannequin with a ton of additional energy and a few new methods, whereas the Hyundai is a top-to-bottom efficiency automotive rework that is meant for observe day responsibility. However the EV6 GT should be no slouch. This a showdown we’ll must take to the observe in 2025 so we are able to discover out. 

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