Kia Stinger, the Korean carmaker’s first RWD sports saloon
The GT concept Kia showcased in 2011 was a preview of their sporting intentions. But now, they have actually put it into production. The Kia Stinger is a culmination of all the European poaching the Koreans have indulged in over the years, starting with designer Peter Schreyer and ending with BMW M dynamics engineer Albert Biermann.
Design wise, the Stinger looks like a much sportier version of the latest Kia Optima. But there are details on the body which are unique enough to give it a special image. The LED headlamps are now disconnected from the tiger nose grill. A sportier bumper with larger air intakes gives the front an aggressive stance. There are twin vents on the hood, flared arches and door mirrors that are fitted on the bodywork instead of the A-pillar. At the rear, the boot lid curves upwards slowly to the end to form an integrated spoiler. The LED tail lamps and the rear diffuser flank the quad-exhaust pipes.
The sporty new Kia has a handsome interior as well. A touchscreen infotainment system is offered along with an optional 720 watt 15-speaker Harmon/Kardon audio system and a Heads Up Display. A TFT display placed between the dials will display information like G-forces and lap times. A ton of driver assistance systems will be available.
The engines that are slated to power the Stinger are still in development. A 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol which churns out 255 hp of power and 352 Nm of torque will be available in the base model while the higher-spec models will feature a 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 from the Genesis G90, capable of dishing out 365 hp and 509 Nm. The Stinger will share the 8-speed automatic gearbox from the Kia Quoris, albeit with a few tweaks to reduce vibrations. AWD and RWD drivetrains will be available. Kia believes that the Stinger will accelerate from 0 to 100 kph in 5.2 seconds.
The Stinger debuted at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show this week. Pricing will be made clear when it goes on sale later this year, but it remains to be seen whether Kia will finally offer a car that drives better than a wooden log.
Comments
Revo
The front is optima written all over. But the side and rear profile looks hot. The interior is gorgeous as well.if we get cars like these…. no need of aftermarket mods either
marc
looks pretty cool to be honest 🙂
Prado
it is set to be priced at mid USD 35K… sorry I will just pass
Abu
6 years waiting for this car…designed by German Peter Schreyer (Audi TT), performance design by another German (Albert Biermann BMW M3 M4), and developed in Germany…Nurburing!!! I’m convinced that this is a German luxury car not Korean!
Poor boys … here’s our time to shine!
Revo
If you look at the live pics… even the front looks great.
I guess it will be worth the wait.
Zao
Interior looks like inspired from Mercedes….i would prefer to call this car junior Panamera :)…
Nazme
Really gorgeous car. 365 hp. Twin turbo. Classy interior. I think they will price this at 90kaed for base and 140k aed top specs. It’s a bargain.
Mohsin
It is good that this car is often compared to a panamera, an A5 or even BMWs…It says a lot for the brand…nobody is comparing this to a toyota or american equivalent.
Must be good!
rakesh
when is this coming to uae?
rana
Hi Mash,
Is there a chance you can review this car?
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
Kia makes it hard to test their cars. We did review the Genesis G70 though, which is a shorter version of this car.