Blind-Corner Battalion Leader: Kia Stinger GT Dominates the Demands of Nurburgring

“The Foxhole” is a widely unsettling and demanding stretch of racetrack that lies on one of the most intimidating raceways in the world. The high-speed sections of the Nurburgring Nordschleife are built to handle supreme steel beings like the Stinger GT at speeds of 90 MPH +, and Wired Transportation writer Joe Resnick took Kia's front-running sports sedan on a spin through this esteemed track section. The twin-turbo, 365-horsepower 2018 Kia Stinger GT fared quite well during this tremendous test, and everyone knows that this is the location where brands go to prove that their latest sports car is the best-handling and attractive option out there.

The Stinger GT is actually a bit longer then models from the BMW 3-club, and some out there wonder if this could affect its performance on a demanding and curve-laden section of track such as this. When you first climb into the Stinger GT, you'll notice that the front seats are positioned very low, which helps greatly with the center of gravity and sense of stability. There are three levels of engine selection to choose from: the base 252-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbo 4 cylinder, the 365-horsepower 3.3-liter twin turbo V6, and a mid-range 2.2-liter turbo diesel 4-cylinder available in European and Korean markets only.

When Joe and his tech-savvy troupe from Wired got out on the track to prove themselves, the track's longest straight section had them reaching speeds of 135 to 140 MPH, and they enjoyed the overall performance of the rear-wheel drive Stinger the most. Hyundai's own patented 8-speed automatic is the medium for shifting sensibly in the Stinger GT, and many who have test driven it loved it right away. An overall stiff ride in a class that is similar to BMW's 3 and 4 series is another extreme highlight, and the Stinger GT handles bumps with a solid form that deserves high recognition.

This is admittedly a bit of new territory for Kia to pursue: going head to head with the sports-car coupe crowd may seem a bit of a lofty accomplishment. Motor Trend billed the Stinger as “confident and composed, while making the best use of the grip it affords”. When you are able to drive off the lot with a brand new Stinger, you are also getting behind the wheel of a vehicle that has the best power steering Kia has ever produced, which you notice at the go point right away.

This stacked wheel set will stay firmly planted no matter what type of speed or lunge is thrown at them, and the intense trail braking needed at Nurburgring is absolutely a ferocious proving ground. The Michelin Pilot Sport 3 tires are designed specifically for the fast and furious Stinger GT, and showed hardly any wear after a day of instructors trying to one-up their past records handed down abuse. For any model, the current time is the right time to spring a dusting of upper-level performance and speed, and the Stinger holds its own exceptionally well on the most legendary of locations.

Peeking At The Kia Stinger GT: All-Inclusive Rival Against The BMW 4-Series

Looking to offer a serious thrill at a bit of a lower price, Kia's rear-wheel-drive Stinger is going to make a seriously souped-up addition to any St. Louis metro area's auto enthusiast's garage. Noticeably passive-aggressive in its rival to the BMW 4-series, attendees at the Detroit Auto Show were given the impression that the pricing would begin somewhere in the love $30,000's, and this excites just about every single employee at our dealership in a major way! Models in the BMW 430i category begin at around $42,000, where a six-cylinder 440i has an entry point hovering closer to $50,000.

This is a very exciting time for Kia owners and enthusiasts: they are heading bravely into what is a very high-tech dimension that awaits for anyone ready for a new ride. Numerous examples of great gadgetry on the inside, an otherworldly chassis and frame, and many futuristic safety features are just some of the elements that potential buyers wade through. What Kia has the dire right to be proud of most is their core engineering competency, and the ways in which is has drastically improved just over the past five years. Albert Biermann is the brains behind much of what was relayed to the drawing board for the Stinger: as Head of Vehicle Test and High-Performance Development, he was nabbed from BMW Motorsport's development platform 3 years ago.

What he brings to the table is a skill that is decidedly more than just a bit rousing for Kia devotees: he takes on the task of making sure that Kia's latest products have enough substance to measure up when pitted against the best of European brands. He also wants potential buyers to realize that this is not a strictly track car: it can be pushed as one, but it is still developed to be the everyday ride that gets you from A to B in high-end style. The true magic that the driver gets to experience with the advent of this car is the high-speed stability from the long wheelbase, which helps immensely while taking tight corners. The end result is a ride that doesn't truly feel like a bigger car, yet has all of the bells and whistles of a true luxury machine.

You'll all be interested to know that this one gets to 60 MPH in under five seconds, and will be available with a choice of three powerful engines: one of them is a 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6, capable of producing 370 ps with a maximum torque output of 52 kgf.m. This is part of the haplessly high-strung recipe that gives the Stinger the ability to accelerate so well, and gives this car the honor of being the most powerful that Kia has ever manufactured. Come pay us a visit at Jim Butler, and see just how awesome this new line of Kia power cars is going to be: you'll want to claim your keys and title firsthand for a true game-changing and cutting-edge vehicle.

The All-New 2018 Kia Stinger

Kia has stolen the spotlight once again, with its 2018 Kia Stinger. The 2018 Stinger made its debut at the North American International Auto Show, January 8, 2017. The Kia Stinger is a dream car that will soon become reality for our St. Louis Drivers. This car is all about journey and passion with a luxurious feel that will make you want to keep driving.

The Kia Stinger is a luxurious five-passenger sleek sports sedan with a muscular design. It has sleek front clips, long hood for the polished and powerful look, and extended wheel base in order to give a more spacious feel. The Stinger is equipped with AWD, a second-generation eight speed rear drive automatic transmission, lane keep assistance, rear cross traffic alert, and much more! This car is definitely pushing the limits for design and technology.

On January 12, 2017, four days after it debut, the Kia Stinger has been honored with an EyesOn Design award. This award goes for having the "best of the best" car design. The Kia Stinger will bring the thrill and adventure back into driving. Be on the look out at Jim Butler Kia, as the 2018 Kia Stinger begins to roll onto our lots.