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Everyone has their memorable first, right? Kia certainly achieved several milestones with the Stinger GT. It marks the brand’s debut as a rear-wheel-drive sports sedan, boasts the capability to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in less than five seconds, and is the first Kia that I genuinely want to own.
To be straightforward, the Stinger GT packs a punch under the hood. It is equipped with a powerful 3.3-liter V6 engine, featuring two turbochargers. When you push the accelerator to the floor, it delivers 365 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque available from 1,300 rpm to 4,500 rpm. A noteworthy announcement from Kia at the Seoul Motor Show revealed that the Stinger GT can accelerate to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds, which is 0.2 seconds quicker than anticipated. This speed is impressive for a family sedan, and it’s particularly striking since this is Kia’s fastest model to date, with a maximum speed of 167 mph.
However, there is a drawback: Kia will not offer a manual transmission for the 2018 model year. The Stinger will come with only an eight-speed automatic transmission, but power will still be delivered to the rear wheels—a first for Kia in this segment. Nonetheless, many competitors in the premium segment also favor automatic transmissions, so this may not come as a surprise. Hopefully, future versions of the Stinger may introduce a manual option.
Kia has made significant strides since the days of mundane economy vehicles. The design of the Stinger GT features sleek lines reminiscent of the latest BMW 3-series, while its interior evokes a Mercedes SLS AMG vibe (likely due to the round air vents), albeit with a noticeable screen jutting out from the dashboard. Anticipated to cost around $50,000 (though an official price has yet to be confirmed), the Stinger GT is considerably more affordable than its competitors. Additionally, Kia plans to release two less appealing variants: one with a single-turbo 2.0-liter engine generating 255 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, and a 2.2-liter diesel model expected to start under $30,000.
I must admit my fondness for this car is similar to my admiration for the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio. Although I haven’t had the chance to drive either yet, I’m eager to put both the Giulia and the South Korean flagship vehicle to the test.
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