We’ve known for a while that a performance version of Kia’s latest all-electric crossover, the EV6, was on the way, but we weren’t quite sure when. Well, now we know-- and it’s coming up fast.

The Kia EV6 GT, not to be confused with the currently available EV6 GT-Line, was officially unveiled at The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering. Along with getting an up close look and some seriously tantalizing performance figures, it has been confirmed that the GT will arrive in North American dealerships near the end of this year.

So, what’s the big deal? For starters, the EV6 GT’s dual-motor e-AWD powertrain generates 576 horsepower and 546 lb-ft of torque, accelerating to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds and topping out at a maximum speed of 161 mph. That makes it the fastest Kia production vehicle ever built. All that juice is supplied by a 77.4kWh battery pack, same as what’s found in the GT-Line, though don’t expect the same range out of it if you keep the pedal down on the floor.

Putting all that power to use is a trim-exclusive “GT Drive Mode,” which optimizes the motors, braking, steering, suspension, e-LSD and electronic stability control. There’s also a “My Drive Mode” for those that want to tailor the experience to their liking; however, most intriguing is the inclusion of a “Drift Mode.” No, this doesn’t load up an AI-generated driving routine modeled after Vaughn Gittin Jr. or some other famous drifter; rather, it simply distributes more power to the rear wheels. 

A few trim-exclusive components dress up the EV6 GT, but all changes remain relatively subtle. The 21-inch wheels and the neon-accented brake calipers, for example, may be the most standout features, but a new rear spoiler and diffuser can also be spotted, and some tweaked front and rear fascias round out the GT. There are some GT-only additions inside, like the front bucket seats inscribed with the “GT” insignia and held together by green piping, but that’s about it. The GT carries a lot of the premium features found in other EV6 trims.

The Kia EV6 GT is expected to launch in Q4 of 2022 for a currently unconfirmed price; however, we suspect it will be a healthy increase over the currently top-trimmed GT-Line e-AWD’s $57,695 starting price.