Over the past decade Kia has moved in leaps and bounds to provide motorists with a range of quality, affordable vehicles to suit various buyers’ needs, but never has high-performance been a drawcard to entice a purchase… until now.
Enter the Kia Stinger GT, a 3.3L twin-turbo six-cylinder masterpiece punching out 272kw and 510Nm of torque through an eight-speed shift-by-wire transmission.
Equipped with launch control and a limited slip differential, the four-door sedan jumps from zero to 100kph in just 4.9 seconds, comparative to a number of high-end performance cars.
Jumping in the driver’s seat you’d be forgiven for thinking you were driving a big-dollar European vehicle.
Satellite navigation, digital radio and a premium 15-speaker harman/kardon stereo system compatible with android and apple smartphones are the first noticeable features, but digging deeper a plethora of gadgets can be found.
Lane assist, adaptive cruise control and a clear and non-intrusive heads up display with digital speedometer are fantastic driving aids, the addition of a 360-degree camera system with reverse sensors makes parking a breeze and the dynamic stability damping control and emergency braking keeps occupants safe inside the cabin.
The comfortable, stylish, leather interior paired with the performance figures adds up for the Stinger to be a well-rounded package, but the big question is – how does it drive?
Cruising around Mount Gambier the Stinger GT is a docile family vehicle you can jump in and feel at home with straight away.
The cabin provides plenty of room for the family and when casually cruising in economy mode, it is extremely easy to forget there is a twin-turbo monster lurking under the bonnet.
Hitting the open road and switching to sports mode the lightning quick acceleration gets the heart racing, while the powerful race-bred brakes are equally as impressive, bringing the car to a halt through the four-piston front and two-piston rear Brembo callipers.
The firm, fast and direct steering is paired with wide Continental tyres fitted to 19” alloy GT wheels to provide an abundance of grip to keep the driver in complete control and allow the Stinger to hug the road.
Available in a spectacular range of colours, the GT exclusive snow-white pearl as displayed on the road test vehicle looks fantastic glistening in the sun and is a colour that has to be seen in the flesh to fully appreciate.
There is also an optional red-leather interior available to complement certain exterior colour selections.
The top of the line Stinger GT as tested is available to purchase at the price of $59,990 plus additional on road costs, however if you enjoy the Stinger styling but would prefer a somewhat less intimidating engine, there is a range available with a 2.0L four-cylinder turbo charged powerplant.
For Kia’s efforts, the Stinger has been shortlisted for 2018 European Car of The Year, with international media praising the fastback for its performance, refinement, ride and handling.
It is safe to say Kia can proudly add the high-performance tag to their name following the release of the Stinger GT and it is exciting to think about what the brand can produce moving further into the future.
Visit the team at OGR Mount Gambier or call the sales department on 8778 2703 today to explore the Stinger range and find your next vehicle.
