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Kia’s Upcoming Hot Hatch Is Shaping Up to Be a Volkswagen Golf R from the Future

The anticipated Golf R EV won’t arrive for another few years, but Kia will beat it to the hot electric hatch punch.

Front corner view of a modern Kia electric vehicle, showcasing a sleek gray hood with the Kia logo, angular LED headlights, and a black and silver alloy wheel with Nexen tires, parked on an asphalt surface.Kia USA
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By Chris Chin

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Kia’s new and highly anticipated performance hot EV hatch is on schedule to debut next year, beating Volkswagen’s aspirations to make an all-electric Golf R.

Britain’s AutoExpress recently caught wind of the new model, based on the recent EV4 hatchback, indicating that a performance variant is in the works.

The Korean automaker recently debuted the EV4 compact sedan and hatchback. It’s essentially an all-electric version of the latest K4 hatch, the brand’s replacement for the compact Forte.

A sleek, modern gray electric car with a futuristic design is driving on a curved road in a desert landscape. The car features distinctive vertical LED headlights, a smooth aerodynamic body, and a black roof. Mountains and sparse desert vegetation are visible in the background under a clear sky.
The standard EV4 will begin hitting showrooms near the end of 2025.
Kia USA

Since Kia launched its first round of second-generation EVs, the company proved its success with the EV6 and more recently, the EV9. Despite not having high-performance intentions, both certainly deliver on those fronts in subtle, but fast ways.

Now, Kia’s looking to double-down on its performance aspirations with new GT models.

The EV4 GT will boast at least 300-400 horsepower

Gray Kia EV6 electric crossover driving on a paved road in a desert landscape with clear blue sky. The car has a sleek, modern design with distinctive rear lights and black accents.
The EV4 is the automaker’s fifth electric vehicle for the US market.
Kia USA

Details might be sparse. But rumors suggest the performance EV4, reportedly dubbed EV4 GT, will sport a dual-motor arrangement, enabling all-wheel drive and at least 300 to 400 horsepower.

The regular EV4 features only one electric motor, driving the front wheels with around 201 horses.

Modern car interior featuring a black and white steering wheel with integrated controls, a digital instrument cluster, and a wide touchscreen infotainment display. The dashboard has a sleek, minimalist design with horizontal air vents and a combination of black and white surfaces. The driver's door panel includes window and mirror controls, and the seats are black with a textured pattern. The view outside shows a desert landscape with mountains in the distance.
Expect interior styling upgrades in the GT model over the standard EV4.
Kia USA

AE was able to snag a picture of a supposed digital rendering of the EV4 GT during a recent press conference. From the rendering, we’re able to make out a more aggressive lower front fascia, larger wheels with sportier designs and neon-green brake calipers.

Such theming aligns with Kia’s more recent EV6 GT and EV9 GT models, both of which boast more power than their non-GT variants. The differences include other interior and exterior appointments and performance upgrades.

Rear side view of a dark-colored modern SUV at sunset, highlighting the illuminated vertical tail light and the "GT Line" badge on the tailgate. The vehicle's glossy surface reflects the sunset and surrounding landscape.
The Kia EV4 sports eye-catching design elements.
Kia USA

In comparison, the current gas-powered Volkswagen Golf R churns out 328 hp and 295 pound-feet of torque from its 2.0-liter turbocharged, intercooled “EA288” gasoline four-cylinder. Driving all four wheels through a performance-tuned 4Motion all-wheel-drive system, the Golf R can sprint to 60 mph in just 4.0 seconds.

Given that the supposed new all-electric Golf R will likely be a step up in performance, a similar output of around 300-400 hp is expected.

Close-up of a light gray leather car seat with the embossed "GT line" logo in the center. The leather has a smooth texture with visible stitching along the edge. Shadows partially cover the seat, adding depth to the image.
The EV4 GT-Line features sportier interior and exterior appointments over the standard EV4, but no performance upgrades.
Kia USA

Other rumored upgrades over the standard EV4 apparently include Kia’s latest “Virtual Gear Shift” or VGS system. It essentially simulates fixed gear ratios and changes like on a conventional stepped transmission. Only, EVs come with a single-speed direct-drive gearboxes.

This system also debuted on the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. Kia is a subsidiary of Hyundai and both are very intertwined with platform and component sharing. In this case, the EV4 rides on the same E-GMP platform as the Ioniq 5.

A sleek, modern gray electric SUV with black accents is parked on a desert road at sunset. The vehicle features sharp, angular design elements, distinctive geometric alloy wheels, and a streamlined profile. The background shows a dry, arid landscape with sparse vegetation and distant mountains under a soft, pastel-colored sky.
The EV4 is helping to revive the hatchback bodystyle.
Kia USA

To improve handling, the EV4 GT is said to also gain an electronically-controlled limited-slip differential and adaptive suspension. Beefier brakes and a performance-tuned steering rack are also likely.

VW R’s first EV won’t arrive until 2029

vw golf r32 2004
The current Volkswagen Golf R may be the last gas-powered model.
VW

It was only in May 2024 that Volkswagen’s R performance division announced plans for its first electric vehicles. One of the first will be the Golf R EV, which isn’t slated to arrive until around 2029.

Many automakers attribute their desire to produce more performance EVs after Hyundai introduced the Ioniq 5 N. It was one of the first mass-produced EVs designed and engineered to be a full-fledged performance vehicle, with sport-tuned handling, chassis, suspension, brakes, body kit — the whole nine yards.

The new Golf R is also anticipated to coincide with the launch of Volkswagen’s equally exciting next-gen all-electric Golf. The whole lineup will even include a Golf GTI EV.

About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

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