According to reports, the Hyundai Motor Group is considering creating a new Kia electric vehicle (EV) that might take the place of the Stinger and establish a new performance standard for the brand.
The GT Concept from the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show and the Kia GT4 Stinger from the 2014 North American International Auto Show are where the Stinger got its origins.
This new Kia electric vehicle, code-named GT1 internally, may be released between late 2025 and early 2026.
(more…)
With the Kia Stinger model line coming to an end – after just 5 years – the Korean carmaker has prepared a special edition as a farewell. Known as the Stinger Tribute Edition, only 1,000 units will be available for sale worldwide.
While declining sales have been the main reason for its short life in the market, Kia recognises that the sporty sedan made ‘a significant contribution to the brand’, and denotes an important chapter in the story of Kia’s high-performance ethos.
(more…)
Since appearing in 2017, Kia’s German-chasing Stinger has not enjoyed a glowing report card where sales have been concerned. In fact, as the numbers slowed down, there were even rumours earlier this year that the model might be discontinued. Well, the question of a second generation is probably unanswered for now, but it is already 3 years and so it’s time for an update anyway.
Kia has released the first images of an upgraded Stinger, revealing a refreshed design for the high-performance fastback sports saloon. Changes to the appearance of the model amplify its Gran Turismo character, while improving cabin quality and giving owners more choice of colour and material.
The images show as Korean market model which may be a bit more elaborate than those exported. On the outside, the changes add a new touch of drama to the car’s design and give buyers more options for customisation. A new colour choice will also be offered in export markets.
Inside, there’s a more comfortable space in which to travel, with a revised design, new higher-quality materials, and updates to the infotainment system.
Commenting on the new Stinger, Karim Habib, Senior Vice-President and Head of Kia Global Design, said: “The Stinger projects an air of elegance and comfort, and also great purpose, for long-distance driving. The updated model builds on the svelte gran turismo design we introduced three years ago with modern flair and a subtle hint of aggression to enhance its on-road presence. The interior, too, has been enhanced, and the new design elements and technologies incorporated into the Stinger reconfirm its credentials as the consummate Grand Tourer.”
More muscular looks
At the front of the Stinger, Kia’s signature ‘tiger-nose’ grille sits between new multifaceted reflector LED headlamps, with a new design and LED daytime running lights. The new lamps appear darker and sleeker with the lights out, while giving the car a more high-tech light signature, with sharp slashes of light angled slightly towards the front of the car.
At the rear, a svelte updated rear combination lamp displays a distinctive new light signature, extending the full width of the car and mimicking the shape of the subtle spoiler integrated into the trunk lid. The new turn signals comprise a collection of 10 individual LED units each, arranged in a grid pattern to mimic the appearance of a checkered flag, used in motorsport to signal the end of a race.
Buyers of more powerful versions will have the option to specify larger wide-bore bright silver exhaust mufflers. This option will come with a more purposeful, performance-inspired rear diffuser to give the car a more muscular rear appearance.
New exterior packages
Two new exterior packages are also introduced for the first time. For high-performance variants in many markets, a new ‘Dark Package’ brings with it a gloss black diffuser surround and black wide-bore muffler tips. The Stinger emblem on the tailgate is also finished in black.
For North America only, a new ‘Black Package’ is offered, giving those who desire customisation the chance to enhance the aesthetics of the Stinger further with an aggressive new look. The Black Package includes new 19-inch matte black lightweight wheels, a new rear wing for the bootlid, and blacked-out mirror caps and side fender trim.
Higher-quality cabin
While the architecture of the 5-person cabin in the upgraded Stinger remains unchanged, there’s a range of subtle enhancements. The lower section of the steering wheel features a new metallic finish, matching the chrome bezel that now surrounds the 7-inch fully-digital instrument cluster. The latter is designed to provide crystal clear information to drivers via its high-definition display.
Depending on specification, the dashboard and doors are finished with new contrast stitching, while the centre console is available with aluminium or carbonfibre-style trim. Both measures enhance the sporty nature of the cabin.
Sitting atop the dash is Kia’s upgraded 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment and navigation system, accented by a new glossy black finish along the front of the dash. The rearview mirror is now frameless, creating a modern look and enhancing rear visibility.
More choices
The cabin also features a new mood lighting system, allowing drivers to select one of 64 colours to subtly alter the character of the cabin. These visual and material upgrades are designed to improve the car’s Grand Touring ability, creating a more luxurious ambience.
For global markets, new upholstery choices include Nappa leather finished in Saturn Black, Red or Beige, alongside existing leather and synthetic leather options. A new Saturn Black option finishes the seats in black suede with contrasting red stitching in a ‘chain’ pattern, designed to mimic the links in a watch strap.
The powertrain line-up is not revealed at this time but is likely to have some new technologies. The new Stinger will be launched in Korea before the end of next month, with other global markets to follow later.
VR technology enhances vehicle development processes for Hyundai and Kia
With its sleek fastback silhouette and rear-wheel-drive proportions, the newly introduced Kia Stinger was the centre of attraction at the Revolution by Time Kulture Kia Stinger Exclusive Night, an evening dedicated for Naza Kia Malaysia’s business partners and loyal customer as the Revolution by Time Kulture’s Official Auto Partner. Guests who attended the exclusive event could not help but to stop and stare at the stunning sporty sedan that Naza Kia Malaysia recently unveiled to Malaysians just last week.
“With its apt tagline ‘The Power to Surprise’, the Kia Stinger ushers in a new era of innovation for the Kia brand while preserving its DNA, and is nothing short of a revolutionary benchmark for the future of Kia vehicles. The Kia Stinger is the brand’s fastest car yet and is a true gran turismo. With its blend of high performance and supreme comfort, it perfectly complements the lifestyle of those who appreciate world-class luxurious watch brands and other finer things in life,” said Dato’ Samson Anand George, Group CEO, Automotive Group, Naza Corporation Holdings Sdn Bhd (below, centre).
Naza Kia Malaysia is the Official Auto Partner of the fifth edition signature Revolution by Time Kulture event. Organised by Valiram Group’s Swiss Watch Gallery, the premium watch showcase themed “Temple of Speed” has visual references to the world of motorsports which inspires many luxurious watchmakers in their pursuit of high precision and accuracy.
The Revolution by Time Kulture exhibition was held at Centre Court, Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur recently.
Be afraid, be very afraid… the Kia Stinger has officially arrived! Naza Kia Malaysia Sdn Bhd (NKM), the official distributor of KIA vehicles in Malaysia, has finally introduced the much-anticipated Kia Stinger, marking the Korean marque’s foray into the sport sedan segment in the country. Derived from the world-renowned GT concept, the KIA’s fastest automobile yet is designed (by Peter Schreyer) to be a true gran turismo, earning it global recognition for its blend of high performance and supreme comfort. It’s up against some VERY stiff competition too…
Dato’ Samson Anand George, Group CEO, Automotive Group, Naza Corporation Holdings Sdn Bhd, (below, second from left) said, “The Kia Stinger is the culmination of years of passion and commitment fuelled by the brand’s bold and adventurous spirit to amalgamate nimble performance and unyielding style. To meet customer demands in Malaysia, we are introducing two variants of the Kia Stinger, the 3.3-litre V6 GT and the 2.0-litre GT-Line, both sports sedans that exude disarming confidence, elegance and athleticism.
“Driven by Kia’s motto ‘The Power to Surprise’, the Kia Stinger ushers in a new era of innovation for the Korean brand while preserving its DNA to deliver the best performance, comfort and features. With that, we believe the Kia Stinger will elevate the brand’s identity and will be a revolutionary benchmark for the future of Kia vehicles,” added Dato’ Samson, who also announced the price of the new Kia Stinger in the launch video below:
More from Naza Kia on the new Stinger….
With its sleek fastback silhouette and rear-wheel-drive proportions, the Kia Stinger commands attention wherever it goes. As a gran turismo purebred, its roofline sits at a perfect angle to provide aerodynamic benefits as air flows over the bonnet and roof, and off the back of the car while maintaining a pleasing aesthetic. The wide front and rear track, along with the recessed contours along the doors, enhance the visual power of the Kia Stinger’s shoulder line as well as its fastback silhouette.
The Kia Stinger’s aerodynamic profile is further enhanced with the bodywork tapered slightly towards the rear of the car and new ‘gills’ introduced behind the front wheel arches, each serving to reduce wake turbulence as air passes over the car’s flanks.
The aggressive stance is amplified with Kia’s signature ‘tiger-nose’ grille, sitting proudly at the front between complex full LED headlamps and accentuated with honeycomb-shaped, dark-chromed, hot-stamped patterns added onto a black base to ensure a premium exterior.
The Kia Stinger’s aesthetic value has already gained recognition worldwide, having received an EyesOn Design award for Production Car Design Excellence at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in 2017.
Inside, a sleek and sophisticated cabin space evokes a minimally luxurious feel with its aircraft-style design and high-quality finishes in modern key colours. Ultra-soft Nappa leather envelops the deeply contoured seats for the 3.3L V6 GT trim and natural leather is available for the 2.0L GT-Line. Both variants offer 8-way power driver seat and 4-way mechanical lumbar support, creating a space dedicated to the thrill of driving while cossetting the occupants with luxury.
Aeronautically inspired circular vents at the front and rear and a satin chrome ring tastefully encircles the rest of the cabin, creating the effect of cocooned intimacy, a feeling further elevated by warm and inviting LED lights that softly illuminate the finely-crafted interior.
Key to its road presence lies in the pounding hearts under the sculpted hood, where a choice of two turbocharged engines are available. The 2.0L twin-scroll turbocharged four-cylinder Theta II T-GDi engine produces 251 horsepower at 6,200 rpm with 353Nm of maximum torque available from 1,400 – 4,000 rpm, propelling the Stinger from 0 to 100km/h in just 6.0 seconds.
Performance credentials are further enhanced through the 3.3L twin-turbo V6 Lambda T-GDi engine (below), which sees the racehorse accelerating to 100km/h in 4.9 seconds with its 365 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and offers 510Nm of torque from 1,300 – 4,500 rpm – ultimately proving itself to be a worthy challenger to the competition.
The Kia Stinger features an in-house designed second-generation eight-speed rear-wheel drive automatic transmission. The transmission also features Kia’s first use of a Centrifugal Pendulum Absorber (CPA) torque converter on the 2.0L GT-Line to help reduce torsional vibrations through the drivetrain, a technology more typically found in aviation- and racing-engine applications.
For intuitive control and smarter, more spirited driving, the Stinger’s innovative Shift-By-Wire transmission control allows the driver to interchange between transmission modes through electronic controls. The gearbox can be set to intuitively manage shifts on its own or selectively run through the gears via paddle shift levers mounted behind the steering wheel. As with the suspension and steering, the Stinger’s rear-wheel drive system is fully integrated with its 5-Drive Mode, offering distinct calibration between comfort and sport modes.
From its GT concept-car origins to the years of tuning and refining on the legendary Nürburgring circuit, the Kia Stinger proved its mettle to handle even the most demanding road conditions with composed poise, contributed by the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) that features the sophisticated Dynamic Torque Vectoring Control system. This system monitors driver inputs and road conditions and then automatically distributes power in real-time based on the driving situation, minimising understeer in the process and gives the driver confidence to maneuver in even in the most inclement weather. Other powerful features include Electronically-Controlled Suspension (ECS) and Rack-mounted Motor-Driven Power Steering (R-MDPS).
Other industry-leading safety features include Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC), Antilock Braking System (ABS), Traction Control System (TCS) and Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Blind-spot Collision Warning (BCW), Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning and 7 airbags. Due to its advanced safety technologies, the Kia Stinger received the highest rating of 5 stars from Euro NCAP.
The Kia Stinger rides on a chassis comprised of 55 percent advanced high-strength steel, and the MacPherson front setup features large diameter shock absorbers, high-strength wheel bearings, and an aluminium strut brace, while the reinforced five-link rear suspension is mounted to a stiffened rear subframe for outstanding durability.
The 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder GT-Line models ride on 225/45R-18 performance all-season tires (18 inch alloy), while the 3.3L V6 GT model (above) is equipped with staggered ultra-high performance Continental ContiSportContact 5 tires that have been specifically engineered and tuned for the Stinger – 225/40R-19 in front and 255/35R-19 at the rear (19 inch alloy).
Additionally, the Kia Stinger GT trim’s stopping power comes from standard high-performance Brembo® disc brakes featuring quad-piston front calipers and dual-piston rear calipers. The lightweight monobloc all-aluminium calipers reduce unsprung weight and are coupled with large diameter brake discs (13.8-inch front and 13.4-inch rear) that quickly dissipate heat and help to deliver short stopping distances.
The Stinger’s long wheelbase at 2,905mm is ahead of its segment, and boasts a longer and wider body than many others in the same segment at 4830mm and 1,870mm respectively. This advantage allows for generous front and rear legroom while the lowered hip point provides ample headroom even for the tallest occupants. With 406 litres of boot space, the Kia Stinger’s boot area is also larger than many of its competitors, with enough space to accommodate full-size luggage or golf bags.
Taking in-car technology to the next level is the high dashboard with a powerful dose of dynamics and pure emotion interior that lays out a strong horizontal plane for the driver. The center console is intuitively split into two specific areas: the infotainment system and an 8-inch floating navigation touchscreen integrated with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while climate and ventilation controls nestle beneath.
Central to the driver is a ‘D-cut’ type of GT and GT-Line steering wheel draped in thick hand-stitched multifunction leather for a sporty look and feel. A crystal-clear 7-inch TFT LCD landscape cluster display sits between the gauge displays to relay performance data such as cornering G-forces, lap times and engine-oil temperature (available for 3.3L GT variant only), along with ancillary information such as the trip computer, driver settings, navigation and diagnostics.
Scenic drives are not complete without a superior sound system. The Kia Stinger’s 15-speaker Harman Kardon premium speaker system further amplifies the dynamic driving experience of the Kia Stinger, accompanying occupants on the road with crisp sound clarity.
Other amenities included in the Kia Stinger for a pleasurable driving experience are Colour Head-Up Display (HUD), Dynamic Bending Light (DBL), Around View (AVM) with Driving Rear-View (DRM) Monitors, Integrated Memory System (IMS) for the driver’s seat, wireless smartphone charger and electrochromic side mirrors to control the glare of incoming headlights.
The KIA Stinger’s debut stunned many on the international arena, in an industry conquered mostly by German and Japanese makes. Since its introduction to the world in August 2017, the Kia Stinger has clinched numerous global accolades from prestigious names of the industry, such as ‘Best of the Year’ & ‘Best Sports Sedan’ in MotorWeek’s 2018 Drivers’ Choice Awards, Roadshow By CNET Shift Award For 2018 Vehicle Of The Year, Wards 10 Best Interiors for 2018, AutoGuide 2018 Car Of The Year, Autotrader’s 10 Best Car Interiors under $50,000 for 2018 and many more.
Both trims of the Kia Stinger are available in four exquisite exterior colours HiChroma Red, Deep Chroma Blue, Panthera Metal and Aurora Black. Interior-wise, the 3.3L V6 GT receives an exquisite red colour package while the 2.0L GT-Line comes in a flush black one-tone.
The 3.3-litre V6 GT variant goes for RM309,888 on-the-road without insurance while the 2.0-litre GT-Line variant is priced at RM239,888 on-the-road without insurance.
Kia Stinger Launch Photo Gallery…
Naza Kia Malaysia (NKM) dengan bangganya telah melancarkan model terhebat mereka iaitu Kia Stinger GT 2018. Kenderaan sedan jenis sport ini yang telah dipratontonkan kepada rakyat Malaysia pada November tahun lepas baru sahaja disiarkan di laman Facebook Kia Malaysia minggu lepas dengan spesifikasi menakjubkan seperti 365hp, 510Nm kuasa tork dan kotak transmisi 8-kelajuan. (more…)
Did you ever think you’d see the day when a Kia would be compared to the likes of a BMW M6 and Porsche Panamera? How things have changed! Here’s more of the Stinger in action…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSWQTkbTYIQ
Be sure to catch our feature on how the S.Koreans have caught up with the Japanese, coming soon!
© Copyright – Piston.my 2023 Trademarks belong to their respective owners. All rights reserved
