Back in 2011, Kia made public its aspirations to build a Gran Turismo, or a grand tourer to you and me, in the form of the GT Concept. It has taken five long years for that aspiration to come to fruition. But the end product appears to be well worth the wait. Say hello to the aptly-named Stinger GT, Kia's very own sexy and sporty grand tourer!
Unveiled at the 2017 North American International Motor Show in Detroit yesterday, the Stinger GT takes Kia into a territory the brand has never been before. The car, therefore, had to make an impact. The Stinger GT does, and how?
Let's begin with the proportions. Imagine a grand tourer and things that flash in your mind would be a negligible front overhang, long hood, extra long wheelbase and a low and wide stance. Kia has incorporated every one of them in the Stinger GT and slapped a fastback shape onto it as well. While we don't deny that the overall design reminds us of the previous-generation Optima, the end result is undoubtedly impressive. The trademark 'Tiger Nose' grille is flanked on either sides by sleek LED headlights and scooped out air dams beneath them. Hinting at the car's sporty intentions are the twin hood vents, fender vents, an integrated bootlid spoiler and a full-length rear diffuser with quad exhausts.
Kia's designers have paid excellent attention to detail with the Stinger GT. Look at the slim chrome strip that runs from the A-pillar to the rear windscreen arching over the windows or the classic 'coke bottle' shape in the C-pillars if you are in doubt. It continues inside the cabin too with features like Heads-Up Display, 15-speaker Harmon-Kardon audio system and a stubby gear selector finding their way into the Stinger GT.
Two engine options are likely, with the base models getting a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 255 horsepower and the higher trims employing the 3.3-liter twin turbo V6 that does duty in the Genesis G90. With 365 horsepower on tap, this engine can propel the Stinger GT from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.1 seconds and on to a top speed of close to 270 km/h. Both engines are paired to a 8-speed automatic transmission that delivers power to either the rear wheels or to all four wheels if you spec your car with the AWD option. Variants with the said option feature brake-based torque vectoring and a mechanical limited slip differential.
Yes, those specs are from a Kia sedan! Don't you dare tell us Kias are boring and uninspiring to drive again.
The Stinger GT is not just Kia's dreams coming true, rather a coming-of-age moment in the brand's history. Now, when are you landing on Indian shores, Kia?
Kia’s journey from the GT Concept to the striking Stinger GT is a testament to their commitment to innovation and design. For those captivated by the Stinger GT’s blend of luxury and performance, delve deeper into this grand tourer’s capabilities with the official features and functions guide here: https://chatwithmanuals.com/automobiles/2017-kia-stinger-features-functions-guide/. Our AI-driven chat tool simplifies manual navigation, enabling you to easily discover all about its long hood, fastback shape, and sporty aesthetics without the hassle of traditional manual searches. Explore every feature at your pace and immerse yourself in the world of advanced automotive engineering!
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