Kia Stinger European specifications announced
Kia certainly created a stir at the North American International Auto Show earlier this month by unveiling the Stinger. Described by its maker as a fastback sports sedan, sales across Europe are due to begin during the fourth quarter of 2017.
This all-new model measures 4,830 mm (15’ 10”) from bumper to bumper. That's 25 mm (1”) shorter than the current Kia Optima, but 190 mm (7”) longer than a BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé.
Maybe Kia wants to avoid direct comparisons to certain German rivals, though. Indeed, according to Gregory Guillaume, Chief Designer at Kia Motors Europe, “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.”
Reinforcing that ethos is the availability of a 2.2 litre turbo-diesel engine which, regrettably, most European customers are expected to choose. However, there are a couple of more interesting petrol-fuelled alternatives.
All three options come with an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard. Furthermore, a choice of rear- or all-wheel drive is being offered – a key factor that helps to distance Stinger from the front-wheel drive only Optima.
Clearly the 3.3 litre V6 is the pick for performance fans. Kia reckons a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of 5.1 seconds makes it the brand's quickest-accelerating production car ever, while top speed for this version should be around 167 mph (270 km/h).
A plug-in hybrid powertrain would probably help to convince some prospective Stinger buyers (especially any badge snobs). The absence of one therefore seems to be a major omission.
Related posts:
UK prices for the Kia Optima Sportswagon
Kia adds a plug-in hybrid to its Optima range
This all-new model measures 4,830 mm (15’ 10”) from bumper to bumper. That's 25 mm (1”) shorter than the current Kia Optima, but 190 mm (7”) longer than a BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé.
Maybe Kia wants to avoid direct comparisons to certain German rivals, though. Indeed, according to Gregory Guillaume, Chief Designer at Kia Motors Europe, “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.”
Reinforcing that ethos is the availability of a 2.2 litre turbo-diesel engine which, regrettably, most European customers are expected to choose. However, there are a couple of more interesting petrol-fuelled alternatives.
| Engine | Theta II petrol | Lambda II petrol | R diesel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | I4 turbocharged | V6 twin-turbocharged | I4 turbocharged |
| Displacement | 1,998 cc | 3,342 cc | 2,199 cc |
| Max power | 251 bhp (188 kW / 255 PS) @ 6,200 rpm | 365 bhp (276 kW / 370 PS) @ 6,000 rpm | 197 bhp (147 kW / 200 PS) @ 3,800 rpm |
| Max torque | 353 Nm (260 lb/ft) @ 1,400-4,000 rpm | 510 Nm (376 lb/ft) @ 1,300-4,500 rpm | 440 Nm (325 lb/ft) @ 1,750-2,750 rpm |
All three options come with an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard. Furthermore, a choice of rear- or all-wheel drive is being offered – a key factor that helps to distance Stinger from the front-wheel drive only Optima.
Clearly the 3.3 litre V6 is the pick for performance fans. Kia reckons a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of 5.1 seconds makes it the brand's quickest-accelerating production car ever, while top speed for this version should be around 167 mph (270 km/h).
A plug-in hybrid powertrain would probably help to convince some prospective Stinger buyers (especially any badge snobs). The absence of one therefore seems to be a major omission.
Related posts:
UK prices for the Kia Optima Sportswagon
Kia adds a plug-in hybrid to its Optima range
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