The 2023 Stinger has enjoyed a rewarding and trend-setting existence here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis, as its launch in 2017 proved that a competitive and very athletic sedan would win over a diverse audience. The current model fares well up against competition such as the Genesis G70 and Audi A5 Sportback, its 4-door design boasts a sense of common everyday practicality. The telltale Kia tiger nose, narrow headlights, and sloped back tailgate contribute to its vibe that is always teasing a very track-focused demeanor.
Once inside, the Stinger continues to evoke a very stealthy and sporty vibe with smartly bolstered front seats and a very solid and modern center console with the gear selector. The U.S. News auto review crew gave the Stinger very high marks for its turbocharged engine options, segment-leading cargo space, and easy-to-use infotainment system. It gained clout and a loyal fan base with its relaxing highway drive, yet uncanny ability for performance handling on tight roads. The auto community is buzzing now with a plausible rumor: the very first production model based on this new platform looks to be a Kia-branded sedan named the GT1.
Kia and Hyundai are both planning to invest at least $18 million into EV power by the end of the decade, on a mission of sustainability and future technology development that outlines an entirely new blueprint. This proposed GT1 is expected to be slightly larger than the current Stinger, and derives power from a 113.2-kWh battery pack. This is even larger than the batteries powering the Tesla Model S and Kia EV9, which both offer up competitive maximum driving ranges of around 497 miles.
Right now, it seems that Kia will offer both single and dual-motor models of the GT1, with the most powerful cable of cranking out 603 horsepower. All of us at Jim Butler are leaning towards the notion that this will probably become a reality, rendering it the most powerful production model in our brand’s history. We need to stress the fact that these are all rumors as of now, but a glance at the current landscape and what consumers are asking for deem many elements pointing in a progressive and exciting direction.
The Edmunds.com review team had an abundance of praise for the current stinger model, claiming after their initial test drive that “there’s nothing else on the road quite like it.” Having a penchant for not leaving the driver bored while doling out entertaining levels of performance, this model with a low-slung and amazing stance could pacify even the choosiest of drivers in the meantime. The 2023 Stinger can easily drift around corners with segment-leading chops, while also providing the peace-of-mind all-wheel drive offers if a snowstorm rears its head during the journey.
The Stinger hit 60 mph in just 6.2 seconds during testing, with the V-6-powered GT1 arriving rapidly there in just 5.0 seconds. Steering characteristics are very fast and precise and give the car a very agile personality even during heavy acceleration. The gadget and tech-loving crowd will be pleased with the Stinger’s wireless charging pad and a handful of USB ports, along with 12-volt outlets for charging. We are told constantly that our warranty is the best in the business here at Jim Butler, and proudly stand by a 5-year/60,000-mile basic and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty to allow for safe, efficient, and top-quality miles of enjoyment.
