You could say Kia is an automaker of its word, and it proved it will put its production line where its mouth was with the announcement of the 2018 Stinger at NAIAS 2017. Kia Motors promised a working model of the GT Concept car it showed off at previous auto shows. We can consider the promise fulfilled with the Stinger.
Once to market, the five-passenger fastback sports sedan will offer a standard 2.0 liter turbocharged four-cylinder Theta II producing an estimated 255 horsepower. An available 3.3 liter, twin-turbo V6 Lambda II engine will kick up the numbers to 365 horsepower, a 0-60 time of about five seconds and top speed 167 mph.
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The Stinger will shift via a second-generation, eight-speed, rear-drive automatic transmission developed originally for Kia’s K900 luxury sedan, the transmission allows drivers to allow the gearbox to manage shifts on its own. Drivers can also choose to run through the gears via paddle shifters mounted on the steering column. Suspension and handling are adjustable with five drive modes: Personal, Eco, Sport, Comfort and Smart.
Determined to release the company’s first sporty grand touring car (as the K900 aspires mainly to the luxury realm), the 2018 Stinger uses a chassis composed of 55 percent high-strength steel. The extra rigidity provided by that mix makes for a stiff foundation to improve handling, ride comfort and noise management.
These days, grand touring cars must be technologically advanced, and the Stinger stays in step with its Multiple Advanced Driver Assistance Systems – marked by the new Driver Attention Alert system monitoring a number of inputs from the vehicle. Forward Collision Assistance with integrated Autonomous Emergency Braking with pedestrian detection detects a potential collision and helps bring the car to a halt.
There’s no official word on pricing and some other final performance specs as the engines for the Stinger are still in the final phases of production.
