Kia adds GT performance variants to EV3 and EV9 lineup

Kia New Zealand has expanded its electric vehicle range with the addition of high-performance GT variants to both the EV3 and EV9 model lines.

The EV3 GT and EV9 GT now sit atop their respective lineups, offering enhanced performance specifications for buyers seeking more dynamic electric driving experiences.

The EV3 GT is priced from $80,820 before on-road costs and features a dual-motor all-wheel drive system delivering 215kW of power and 468Nm of torque. The performance upgrade enables acceleration from zero to 100km/h in 5.7 seconds.

Power comes from an 81.4kWh battery pack that provides a WLTP-rated driving range of 501km. The battery supports DC fast charging at up to 128kW, allowing charging from 10 to 80 per cent capacity in approximately 30 minutes.

Standard equipment on the EV3 GT includes 20-inch alloy wheels fitted with wider tyres than the GT-Line variant, plus larger brake systems to handle the increased performance. Interior upgrades include suede and composite leather seats along with a GT-specific steering wheel, while other cabin features remain consistent with the standard range.

The EV9 GT serves as Kia’s flagship electric vehicle in New Zealand, starting from $149,790. It utilises a dual-motor all-wheel drive configuration producing 374kW of power and 740Nm of torque, enabling acceleration to 100km/h in 4.5 seconds.

The larger SUV features a 99.8kWh battery providing a WLTP-rated range of 510km. Its charging capability reaches 235kW DC fast charging, reducing charging time to 80 per cent capacity to around 24 minutes.

Distinguishing features include GT-specific 21-inch alloy wheels and upgraded brake systems. Unlike other EV9 variants which offer seven-seat configurations, the GT model will be available exclusively as a six-seater.

While Kia New Zealand has not provided specific arrival timing for either model, dealer listings indicate production allocation will be limited.