It’s not every day you see a Kia outrun a Ferrari—but that’s exactly what happened in a recent head-to-head drag race between the all-electric Kia EV6 GT and the Ferrari Purosangue. While the idea of a humble Korean EV taking on a handcrafted Italian V12 super-SUV might sound improbable, the results told a different story—one where performance, not pedigree, decided the winner.
This dramatic face-off, organized in the UK and captured on video, has left many gearheads reevaluating what they thought they knew about modern performance vehicles.
Kia EV6 GT: The Quiet Storm
At first glance, the Kia EV6 GT may not scream “drag strip dominator,” but its credentials are impressive. With a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup delivering up to 641 horsepower (temporarily accessible via overboost) and 568 lb-ft of torque, the EV6 GT is no slouch. Though it’s officially rated for a 0–60 mph time of 3.5 seconds, independent testers have repeatedly clocked it a few tenths faster.
That seemingly minor discrepancy proved decisive, allowing the EV6 GT to launch harder and maintain the lead throughout several drag race runs—much to the astonishment of viewers and even seasoned automotive enthusiasts.
Ferrari’s V12 Power Can’t Always Keep Up
On the other side of the starting line stood the Ferrari Purosangue, a $395,000 ultra-luxury SUV packing a 715-hp 6.5-liter V12 engine. It’s rated to reach 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds. In theory, it should be untouchable in a race like this.
Yet, in practice, things didn’t go as expected.
Though Ferrari claims a dry weight of 4,482 lbs, Car and Driver reported a more realistic curb weight of approximately 4,850 lbs. That’s nearly identical to the EV6 GT, which comes in at 4,884 lbs. With a slightly lower power-to-weight ratio, the Kia should have been at a disadvantage—but torque tells another story. The EV6 GT’s instant electric torque and launch control gave it an edge off the line that the Purosangue struggled to match.
The Ferrari only managed to win during a gear-shift simulation run, designed to mimic the feel of traditional driving. But that wasn’t a true test of raw acceleration—it was more theater than competition.
A Performance Revolution You Can Afford
If this were just about acceleration times, it would already be newsworthy. But the true shocker lies in the numbers that really matter to most buyers: the price.
- Ferrari Purosangue: Starting at over $395,000
- Kia EV6 GT: Priced around $65,275
Yes, you read that right. The Kia costs about one-sixth as much as the Ferrari, yet it consistently beats it in a straight line. While Ferrari’s value proposition includes exclusivity, craftsmanship, and prestige, it’s hard to ignore the staggering performance-to-dollar ratio Kia brings to the table.
The Underdog Is No Longer Behind
More than just a viral race video, this matchup represents a turning point in the auto industry. It’s not just legacy automakers versus upstarts; it’s a clash between old-world engineering and cutting-edge EV innovation. The fact that a mass-market brand like Kia can produce a car that competes with—and beats—an Italian icon shows how rapidly electric performance has matured.
In the past, performance car buyers had to choose between affordability and thrills. Not anymore. Vehicles like the EV6 GT prove that a well-designed electric drivetrain can deliver jaw-dropping speed without breaking the bank.
As the industry shifts and the EV era takes hold, stories like this will become more common. But for now, the sight of a Kia humbling a Ferrari remains both symbolic and satisfying—proof that, sometimes, betting on the underdog isn’t just sentimental… it’s smart.
Image Source: Kia.com
