Despite making its debut at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show, the Kia Stinger is not quite ready to hit the dealers yet. Proof comes from the South Korean brand itself, who has recently announced that its sports saloon is now entering its final stages of development before going on sale later this year.
The company’s test program, which is carried out worldwide both on public roads and tracks, “will ensure the car has the performance, reliability, and dynamic sophistication to match its striking fastback design”, says Kia.
Moreover, each prototype will be subjected to a minimum of 10,000 km (~6,200 miles), or nearly 480 laps, around the Nurburgring, which is the equivalent to over 160,000km (62,137 miles) of on-road testing.
“The new Kia GT 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”, said Kia Europe’s Chief Designer, Gregory Guillaume. “The new GT has nothing to do with being the first to arrive at the destination – this car is all about the journey. It’s about passion.”
Kia have high expectations when it comes to the Stinger, as it will challenge the likes of the BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe and Audi A5 Sportback.
In the U.S., it will be available with a 255hp and 260lb-ft (352Nm) 2.0-liter turbocharged four and a 3.3-liter V6 making 365hp and 376lb-ft (494Nm) of torque. The latter needs 5.1sec to reach 62mph (100km/h) from a standstill and will max out at 167mph (269km/h).
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