Jim McGill can’t resist the taking the EV4 for a spin along some of the world’s most iconic roads in the mountains behind Nice and Monaco
Searching for the perfect electric hot hatch has become something of the holy grail, not only for manufacturers but also for buyers. The challenge, of course, is while petrol-powered hot hatches can maximise weight loss, with battery-powered cars they come laden with their own handicap; the heavy weight of those very batteries.
In the supermini category, Alpine has done an excellent job with its eye-catching and fun-to-drive A290. While further up the size-sector the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N has been the benchmark.
Now though, Kia is entering the fray with its EV4 GT, a practical five-seater family hatchback. Visually it’s not much different to the others in the EV4 stable, apart from a unique 20-inch wheel design – fitted with EV-optimised Pirelli P Zero tyres – and neon green brake calipers, plus a black contrast roof. But boy, it definitely looks the part. It’s a sleek and stylish thing.
So when Kia offered me the chance to put it through its paces, I immediately said ‘yes’. Then they told me I’d have access to some of the most iconic roads in the mountains behind Nice and Monaco, some used on the Principality’s round of the World Rally Championship, including the Col de Turini, Col de Braun, plus further west out to the Route Napoleon Gorges du Verdon and Route de Greolieres. That was a nice surprise, but how did the EV4 GT perform? Is it a true electric hot hatch? Only one way to find out.
Ok, tell me more about the EV4 GT
Based on the same 400-volt E-GMP platform as the EV3 GT, EV5 GT and Hyundai Ioniq 3, amongst others, Kia says the intention behind the EV4 GT is to deliver “electrification made emotional”. Yup, these marketing people do love their straplines.
Coming back to reality, the EV4 GT benefits from a lower centre of gravity than any other Kia EV, plus it gets standard adaptive dampers, in addition to a tweaked set-up on the springs. So far so encouraging. As for the suspension, similar to the non-GT model, it gets a MacPherson strut at the front and a multi-link layout at the rear.
What’s more significant is the GT is the only version of the EV4 which gets the luxury of four-wheel drive thanks to dual motors. This twin-motor all-wheel drive system has been designed specifically with the bias firmly towards the front wheels.
Plus it has a new suite of electronic wizardry to ensure all of these new electronic bits and pieces work together in perfect harmony. Just as well because the GT has more power than other EV4s, as well as an enhanced chassis and suspension.
The EV4 GT gets Electronic Dynamic Torque Vectoring Control (eDTVC), which means there’s no mechanical limited-slip differential. The eDTVC does though use braking and motor torque compensation as it manipulates the car’s cornering line.
And though it’s an ‘automatic’ EV, the GT gets Virtual Gear Shift technology, as already seen on the Ioniq 5 N and EV6 GT. This simulates a six-speed transmission and allow gearshifts using the wheel-mounted paddles. Clever stuff. Plus you get Active Sound Design; it’s more electronic gadgetry which simulates the sound of an engine noise making the car, apparently, more “engaging”
Specs and performance
The EV4 GT has only one powertrain option. It’s a twin-motor all-wheel drive layout which uses the same 81.4kWh battery pack as the long range variants of the EV4. The 145kW front motor gains more power than the rear, which makes do with 70kW, hence it’s more front-wheel biased, meaning it only requests assistance from the rear wheels when traction is limited.
The total output is listed at 288bhp with 468Nm of instant torque. As for performance, it’ll hit 62mph from standstill in 5.6secs – remember, this is a near-two tonne car – and carry on to a max of 105mph.
Charging, range and price
Charging? It takes a rate of up to 128kW, meaning 10-80 per cent DC recharge in 31-minutes. The slower AC charger at 11kW sees a 10-100 per cent recharge take seven hours and 15-minutes. Range? Kia says it’s good for 311-miles. As for pricing, the EV4 GT starts at £49,345.
Right, what’s it like to drive?
Pretty damned good, to be honest. And whoever decided to let us loose on such iconic billiard table-smooth roads needs a pat on the back. The EV4 GT was in its element here. But of course, it will be interesting to see how it copes with the lumps, bumps and basically poor quality of UK roads. And worth highlighting it has been developed and engineered specifically for European drivers and roads. But to my drive. There’s a button on the steering wheel which allows you to set different driving modes. But there’s also another big bright green button. This unlocks the car’s full potential. Not only does it sharpen the throttle response and add extra weight to the steering to give a much more sportier feel, but it sets the standard-fit adaptive dampers to their firmest setting. So it’s full Rally Monte Carlo mode. Well, at least as long as you’re on dry tarmac.
There’s also a My Mode preset. This allows you to adjust the damping, steering and throttle to your preference.
The Virtual Gear Shift (VGS) tech is accessed via the menu screen. What is essentially a simulated six-speed sequential gearbox is more than adequate when left to its own devices. Alternatively, using the paddles either side of the steering wheel you can change up or down manually. In other modes, these paddles allow you to adjust the strength of the brake energy recovery.
I mentioned earlier the Active Sound Design system which feeds an artificial engine sound into the cabin. At the EV4 GT’s launch there was much debate about what the sound actually resembled. To me it’s the delicious warble of a five-cylinder Audi Quattro. But don’t worry, the sound is very subtle. You actually need to almost strain your ears to hear it. But every so often you’ll just get the distant sound of it. It’s so subtle I often found myself asking: “What was that?” And don’t fear, the sound is optional: you can turn it off.
I dabbled with the simulated gearshifts, but actually found the EV4 GT was at its best when the VGS was just left to get on with it. After all, many Kia boffins have worked behind the scenes to ensure it maximises the car’s performance. It behaves very much like a standard EV auto, but in this form it certainly delivers the fast responses required, and expected from a hot hatch.
When it comes to corners, and I encountered more than a few stunning ones on my test route, it’s more than decent, especially again considering that near two-tonne kerbweight. There are three levels of firmness available on the adaptive dampers, ranging from comfortable to firm. Not one of the three is overly harsh. Again, there is the proviso that my drive was on super-smooth French roads and not the UK’s. I loved the firmness and weight of the steering, which adds a strong sportiness to the car.
Of course, compared to the EV3 GT and EV5 GT which entered UK showrooms at the same time as the EV4 GT, the latter has a huge advantage in sporty handling thanks to its much lower centre of gravity. That in turn is due to its super-sleek hatchback body. Strangely having driven the standard EV4 briefly before, I wasn’t too enamoured by its styling and shape. But having spent a full day with it, both driving and static, I have to acknowledged it is a stylish piece of kit.
Back to those corners. With much more of the EV4 GT’s mass sitting closer to the road, it feels stable, sure-footed, with minimal body roll and overall very accomplished through corners. And of course, the torque vectoring boosts responses when adjusting your line in corners. One other piece of electronic wizardry worth mentioning is Kia’s Preview Electronic Controlled Suspension. This camera-based system is designed to scan the road ahead and prepare the dampers for any sharper bumps ahead in milliseconds. Cleverly, you receive no alerts that the system is actually activated; it just quietly gets on and does its job.
What’s it like inside?
To be honest, there’s very little noticeable difference from other EV4 in the range. The interior remains dominated by the two 12.3in units for the dial display and infotainment, plus a 5.3in climate control panel. The software in the two big screens works wonderfully well and quick, with the digital images razor sharp. Yes there are a lot of menus and sub-menus, but that’s where we are at the moment with cars’ interiors. There are masses of direct switches on the steering wheel, dashboard, the door and even the console next to your elbow. Having spent the full day with the car, it’s scary how quickly you learn where each one is that does a specific function. Between the driver and passenger sit cupholders and a big tray. There’s a console box behind that with another two-deck tray. And of course, the fully flat floor gives that added sensation of space. In the rear there’s masses of legroom, and there are numerous lights, vents and sockets.
But where the EV4 GT differs is with the splash of neon green accents dotted about the cabin, taking the brake caliber colour inside. It’s on the seatbelts, steering wheel, seats and material stitching. Plus of course there’s the big new green button on the steering wheel.
Front occupants benefit from bucket-style seats, which certainly keep you comfortably held in place. The front seats are also heated and ventilated, plus you get smartphone connectivity, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, over-the-air-updates, Digital Key functionality and Vehicle-to-Load capability, so you can charge your laptop from the car.
Bootspace
Open the hatch and you can stash 377-litres of goodies. That increases to around 1300-litres with the rear seats folded flat.
Warranty
As with all Kia models, the EV4 GT comes with a comprehensive seven-year/100,000-mile warranty, with the battery carrying its own warranty of eight years/unlimited miles to 70 per cent capacity.
Verdict
Is it fair to categorise the EV4 GT as a modern day GT hatchback, akin to what we had years ago with the likes of the VW Golf GTi? Times have changed; segments have changed; and car badges have changed. Yes it’s a ‘GT’, but in essence Kia has used the badge simply to identify it as the ‘halo’ model in the EV4 range. This was never conceived as an uncompromising track car. Instead it was designed to deliver accessible, engaging performance while retaining the comfort, practicality and familiar driving character required for everyday use. The fact it’s an absolute blast to drive is simply a bonus.
Fact box
Kia EV4 GT
Price: From £49,345 (as tested, £49,995 with Blue Flame/Dark Penta Metal premium paint)
Engine: 81.4kWh battery, two electric motors
Transmission: Single speed, all-wheel drive
Power / Torque: 288bhp / 468Nm
Top Speed / 0-62mph: 105mph / 5.6secs
Range: 331-miles
CO2: 0g/km
Weight: 2060kg
Dimensions (L/W/H in mm): 4450 / 1860 / 1495
On sale: Now