Kia is on a roll at the moment. The latest Sportage is a great SUV, the new Optima has impressed and now there’s this – the Kia Stinger. Uninspiring name aside (this isn’t the 70’s and we aren’t in the US) this is a properly grown up GT car from the Korean brand that has the ability to match the looks.
The spirit of historic grand tourers has apparently been translated into this car. If that’s the case, the Stinger will be quick, powerful and elegant. It will be capable of crossing continents in relative ease whilst keeping occupants comfortable and safe on their journey inside the cabin.
The Stinger will be available with a choice of three engines: a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine, a powerful 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6, and – announced for the first time – a 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine. We reckon the 2.2 litre turbodiesel will be the pick of the bunch. Don’t get us wrong, the 3.3 litre petrol will be very tasty but the likely fuel guzzling will be too much for many.
Gregory Guillaume, Chief Designer at Kia Motors Europe had this to say about the car: “The Kia Stinger is a true gran turismo, a car for spirited long-distance driving. It’s not about outright power, hard-edged dynamics and brutal styling, all at the expense of luxury, comfort and grace. The Kia Stinger has nothing to do with being the first to arrive at the destination – this car is all about the journey. It’s about passion.”
The Kia Stinger will enter production in the second half of 2017, and will go on sale across Europe during the fourth quarter of 2017. Pricing will be confirmed closer to the sale date and we’ll confirm that when we can here.
We simply love the design of the Kia Stinger, which is why we have chosen it as the Car Articles ‘Something for the Weekend’ car for January 2017. The sleek lines, the purposeful stance and those wheels make us want one very much.
Leave a Reply