It looks like a Lambo, but it’s actually Kia’s first electric hot hatch. With its debut just around the corner, the EV4 GT hit public streets for the first time, showcasing Kia’s new “GT Wrap.”
Kia unveils new GT Wrap for its electric hot hatch
Kia is giving its first electric hatchback, the EV4, a GT upgrade. The EV hatch is expected to be a cornerstone of Kia’s plans to gain market share in Europe, but the company is promising the high-performance version will bring some serious upgrades.
Ahead of its official debut, Kia revealed the first images of the electric hot hatch, showcasing its new “GT Wrap” design on a prototype.
The new foil design” infuses models in development with the energy and attitude that define Kia’s GT production models.”
Kia said that by reimagining “Gran Turismo” for a new generation of drivers, it is bridging the gap between its heritage and future innovation. The “GT Wrap” sets the stage for the next chapter of high-performance Kia models, hinting at speed, emotion, and imagination.
The new foil design incorporates its signature neon accent colors, which have become the “symbol of electricity,” Kia said.
Although we caught a glimpse of a camouflaged EV4 GT last month in South Korea, it was expected to be the sedan version. Kia is launching the EV4 in both sedan (Fastback) and hatchback variations. The hatch will be built at Kia’s Žilina manufacturing plant in Slovakia for the European market, while the sedan is produced in South Korea.
Under the GT Wrap, you can still see a few design upgrades to look forward to, including Kia’s signature Star Map lighting and 20″ alloy wheels.
According to Autocar, which saw the EV4 GT in person, the interior received a significant makeover. The electric hot hatch features new seats that sit lower than the standard EV4.
Kia kept the sporty neon theme going inside on the seatbelts, door handles, driver display, and infotainment system.
The EV4 GT has a GT Mode button on the steering wheel, also in neon green. When activated, GT Mode unlocks the vehicle’s max horsepower and torque.
Like its other GT vehicles, Kia’s electric hot hatch will be equipped with a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive (AWD) powertrain. Kia has yet to reveal final specs, but the setup is expected to produce around 400 horsepower, which should be enough for a 0 to 62 mph sprint in about 5 seconds.
Kia will launch the EV4 GT in 2026. The company said it plans to use the GT Wrap on future high-performance EVs throughout their development phase to “reinforce the visual identity of Kia’s GT series.”
The EV4 joins the EV6 GT, Kia’s first electric GT series vehicle, and the EV9 GT, which was introduced at the end of 2024, in its growing electric high-performance lineup. The EV3 and EV5 are also expected to receive a GT upgrade soon, so check back for new wrapped Kia GT models.
Can the Kia EV4 GT go head-to-head with the Volkswagen Golf R? Let us know what you think of the electric hot hatch in the comments below.
Author: Peter Johnson
Source: Electrek
Reviewed By: Editorial Team
