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The UK’s Goodwood Festival of Speed is a true celebration of motoring greats. With over 600 cars and motorcycles spanning all decades of motoring and motorsport, the event is unlike any other and has firmly established itself as the must-see event of the year for motoring fans all over the world. Since the inaugural event held in 1993, the Festival of Speed has borne witness to the rapidly evolving world of transport, culminating in this year’s new addition; the ‘Electric Avenue – The Road to 2030’.
This new exhibit offered visitors the chance to look at the exciting world of electric vehicles in a spectacular new structure. Kia’s EV6 took pride of place within the exhibition, showcasing the company’s first dedicated electric vehicle and its advanced technologies.
The Kia EV6
A landmark car for a world-renowned event, the Kia EV6 not only introduces an all-new and distinctive design language ‘Opposites United’, it also showcases the very latest in EV technology. The new model heralds the start of Kia’s ‘Plan S’ strategy, which includes the introduction of eleven electric cars by 2026, seven of which, like the EV6, will be based on a dedicated EV architecture.
The EV6 benefits from a long-range 77.4 kWh battery pack that enables it to travel up to 510 km from a single charge. Accompanied by its 400/800 V electric architecture, the EV6 is designed to charge from 10-to-80% in as little as 18 minutes, while 95 km of range can be obtained in under five minutes when plugged into a 350 kW ultra-fast charger.
The EV6 is based on Kia’s revolutionary E-GMP (Electric-Global Modular Platform) architecture, a dedicated EV platform that allows for a flat floor and class-leading internal dimensions, evoking a spacious and relaxing cabin.
The ‘Stinger GT420’
Developed by Kia UK, the one-off track focused ‘Stinger GT420’ was on display in the celebrated ‘First Glance Paddock’ at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
An uprated version of Kia’s sporting flagship, the ‘Stinger GT420’ features a more powerful 3,342 cm3 V6 twin-turbocharged petrol engine that delivers 315 kW and 560 Nm torque.
Rescued from being resigned to the history books, the ‘Stinger GT420’ was the first Stinger to arrive in the UK for final testing and tuning, in 2017. Destined for the crusher shortly after its road-going purpose had concluded, Kia decided to save the car and reinvent it as a trackfocused special.
The car was developed by Kia Motors UK with advice and engineering assistance from Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Centre in Rüsselsheim, Germany.
Everything from the spark plugs to the exhaust and the interior were modified. HKS M45il spark plugs were employed for their enhanced combustion, a K&N sports air filter and a lightweight Milltek Sport quad-exit exhaust system with catalysts deleted were fitted in place of the factory item. The transmission was refined with added cooling and updated race-ready software to quicken gear changes, while the car’s original track was widened using OZ Racing Leggera rims fitted with Pirelli Trofeo R tyres. Suspension was lowered using Eibach Pro springs over the car’s original dampers. Uprated front brakes with added ducting for cooling were added to ensure the GT420 can stop as quickly as it starts.
Enhancing the mechanical improvements, the ‘Stinger GT420’ was put through a comprehensive weight-reduction process that saw Kia UK’s Press Garage in Chippenham strip out most of the interior while adding in necessary racing safety precautions including a custom roll cage and Sparco race seats and belts.
The ‘Stinger GT420’ includes a series of visual enhancements including a new front splitter and rear diffuser, as well as a new rear spoiler by Air Design. The model features a distinctive wrap that integrates with the car’s HiChroma Red paintwork, helping to ensure the ‘Stinger GT420’ stood out on the grounds of the Goodwood estate.
