Kia is turning up the heat on the electric hot-hatch scene with the EV4 GT, set for its global debut at the Brussels Motor Show on 9 January. The preview hints at a compact, aggressive player engineered to tussle with performance hatchbacks — think Golf R rivals and even some compact sport sedans — by packing a dual-motor all-wheel-drive layout, sharper suspension, and vivid styling cues that announce its intent. Under the skin, the standard EV4 uses a single 201 bhp motor; the GT swaps that for a rear-mounted second motor to create an AWD system and a substantial power uplift. Expect the GT to produce roughly 406 hp in total, pushing 0–100 km/h in about five seconds. That blend of launch-focused thrust and everyday usability is the core brief: quick off the line, but tailored for repeatable, usable performance on public roads. If the hatchback silhouette doesn’t quite match your taste, there’s also the Fastback variant — a sleeker take that shares the EV4’s platform and hardware.
Right now dealer offers mean you can pick up an EV4 Fastback with discounts of over €3,510, making the sportier bodystyle an even more tempting proposition. The EV4 GT looks to borrow a key piece of character from Kia’s more powerful siblings: the Virtual Gear Shift system (VGS) first seen on higher-end GT models. VGS is a software trick that simulates the auditory and tactile cues of a combustion-engine car with a V6 and an eight-speed gearbox, giving the electric setup a more layered, analog-like feel. That simulated shift cadence, paired with the instant torque of electric motors, aims to deliver an emotional driving experience that many rivals don’t attempt.
There are mechanical upgrades too — not just software. Expect an electronic limited-slip differential and adaptive dampers similar to those used on bigger GT models, plus larger brakes to cope with the car’s extra performance. Steering will likely receive bespoke tuning for sharper turn-in and better feedback, rounding out the chassis changes that turn a standard EV4 into a sharper, more focused machine. The visual language of the EV4 GT is unmistakable. Kia has previewed the car wearing a GT wrap, but details still shine through: neon-green brake calipers, unique 20-inch alloy wheels, and revised front and rear bumpers with an integrated diffuser at the back. Inside, sports seats lifted from larger GT models arrive with bespoke stitching, while a sport steering wheel with a 12 o’clock marker and neon-green trim accents reinforce the car’s performance pedigree.
Beyond the EV4 GT itself, the platform has company: Hyundai plans an Ioniq 3 N based on the same underpinnings, promising a close mechanical cousin with a different tuning philosophy. According to Kia’s marketing director for Europe, the GT approach isn’t purely about raw top-end speed; it’s about the thrill of the drive and delivering an enjoyable everyday car with an edge. The goal is an engaging balance of comfort, agility, and emotion rather than an all-out motorsport-focused extreme.
The wider electric hot-hatch market is already crowded: dual-motor rivals and single-motor sport variants proliferate, and the EV4 GT arrives as Kia’s answer — a compact EV that mixes bold styling, meaningful performance upgrades, and tech aimed at injecting classic driving cues into electric motion. If the production car stays true to the preview, the EV4 GT should be one of the most convincing packages yet for drivers who want electric propulsion without sacrificing the character and fun of a performance hatch.