Kia’s EV9 electrical SUV will ultimately function a high-performance EV9 GT variant, the automaker’s chief has confirmed.

Whereas talking at a latest press briefing, Kia CEO Ho-Sung Tune stated an EV9 GT is being readied for launch in early 2025, Autoblog reported on Tuesday.

“We’re conscious of rising demand for high-performance autos in electrical purposes,” Tune is quoted as saying. “And constructing on our success of our Kia EV6 GT, we’re pleased to announce that we’re presently growing a excessive efficiency model of EV9.”

The EV9 begins gross sales later this 12 months as a 2024 mannequin, and the highest efficiency possibility at launch shall be a dual-motor setup rated at 380 hp. Kia stated this can hustle the EV9 to 62 mph from relaxation in six seconds as commonplace and 5.3 seconds with an accessible Enhance operate that Kia will promote individually through its new Kia Join Retailer app retailer.

The EV9 GT will seemingly ship significantly extra efficiency. As a clue of what is potential, the smaller EV6 GT comes with a dual-motor setup rated at 576 hp, and efficiency that features a 0-60 mph time of three.4 seconds.

The EV6 GT additionally advantages from chassis upgrades that embody sport-tuned suspension with adjustable dampers, an digital limited-slip differential, huge brake rotors with monoblock calipers, efficiency tires, and distinctive drive modes.

Kia additionally provides visible tweaks like lime inexperienced accents to assist separate the EV6 GT from the common mannequin, and these lengthen into the cabin the place you will additionally discover grippy bucket seats up entrance.

Comparable upgrades ought to make their approach onto the eventual EV9 GT mannequin.