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

• The Kia EV6 GT hasn’t been totally 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 characteristic” that sounds just like the Ioniq 5 N.

Simply admit it: you like the thought of simulated gear shifting in electrical automobiles. Oh, you might act such as you hate the anachronistic concept of fixing “gears” in a automobile 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 automobile purist and the thought of attempting 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 an alternative. 

However deep down, you are incorrect. And you would like each EV might 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. And so they love the pretend shifting most of all. 

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

Photograph by: InsideEVs

2025 Kia EV6 GT-Line European Spec Images, Runaway Pink

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 this time on the LA Auto Present. And whereas there’s nonetheless rather a lot we do not learn about it, we have now energy specs and one key element: the EV6 GT now will get a simulated gear shift characteristic.

“The GT’s new Digital Gear Shift characteristic 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 attempt 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” characteristic actually goes the space.

2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N First Drive Evaluation

That automobile simulates an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission utilizing the paddles usually used to regulate regenerative braking depth on different Hyundai Motor Group automobiles. When activated—and it has a standard “drive” setting as any DCT would—it really works a lot the identical manner: left paddle to go down a “gear,” proper to go up. In fact, the EVs should not have a number of ahead gears. They’ve a lot on the spot torque that gears will not be needed to realize 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 also be particular for the way it simulates the “really feel” of drugs shifting, together with the jolt and transient 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 will hit earlier than it’s good to shift once more. It is all nice enjoyable.

Photograph by: InsideEVs

2025 Kia EV6 GT-Line European Spec Images, Runaway Pink

Based mostly on Kia’s assertion, we are able to count on some model of that for the EV6, however I am wanting to see Kia’s spin on issues. I am positive engineers will discover some strategy to make it pretty distinctive to this automobile.

Past that, we all know just a few 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. Not like the remainder of the EV6 line, the GT will nonetheless be made in South Korea, not Kia’s Georgia manufacturing unit, so it will not qualify for U.S. EV tax credit at buy. Pricing has not been launched but, nor have official images: 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’ve got purpose 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 automobile rework that is meant for monitor day obligation. However the EV6 GT should be no slouch. This a showdown we’ll must take to the monitor in 2025 so we are able to discover out. 

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