Kia Stinger
A MyMode function will let drivers store their preferences, such as settings for the level of sportiness from the suspension, steering and automatic transmission.
Driver assistance technology including precollision assist with pedestrian detection, distance alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist and a fatigue-detection driver alert system will all make their way into the new Mustang in a welcome boost to the basic safety specification that was a key contributor to the current Mustang’s recent two-star crash-safety score (see sidebar).
Connectivity too, takes a step up. Using Ford’s SYNC Connect and FordPass protocols drivers will be able to start, lock, unlock and locate their car using the FordPass smartphone app.
Upgrades to the interior include new seat trim patterns and colours, a wrap for the centre console with contrast hand stitching and padded knee bolsters. The door handles and rings and bezels are finished in aluminium and there’s a heated steering wheel available as an option.
Twin-turbo V6-powered four-door to fill the affordable rear-drive performance niche vacated by the locals.
designed to manage crash energy under a variety of crash modes,” said Ford.
“The Mustang has already proven its safety performance in NHTSA NCAP and IIHS test programs. We are committed to continued improvement in vehicle safety, and the 2018 Mustang in Australia will be equipped with driver assistance features such as AEB and Lane Keeping Aid.” Following
on from the global reveal in January of the Kia Stinger at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the Korean brand has presented the fastback sedan in European specification at the Geneva international motor show.
Given that the rear-drive sedan is a dying breed in new-car showrooms, we’re disproportionally interested in Kia’s new machine.
Said to “channel the spirit of historic grand tourers” – think original Maserati Ghibli; Kia’s designers did, apparently – with its long, low body, classic cab-rearward proportions and fastback, the big, rear-wheel drive, four-door is set to fill the high-performance niche that’s soon to be entirely bereft of local muscle.
The Stinger is designed to deliver comfortable grand touring progress for five, with engaging rear-biased chassis dynamics, says Kia.
Three engines will be offered in Europe, including a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel but we’re most interested in the 276kW 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6, which should give the Stinger the grunt to please performance fans. The 5.0-litre V8 from the Hyundai Genesis, which might have seemed like a logical powerplant, is not on the menu, sadly.
The turbo V6 produces 510Nm to shove Kia’s most powerful, quickest-ever car from rest to 100km/h in a claimed 5.1 seconds.
All-wheel-drive will also be offered, as will an electronically-adjustable adaptive damper suspension and five-mode drive select system. All versions send power to the wheels via an eight-speed automatic.
The Stinger is set to go on sale globally in the fourth quarter this year – around the time the Commodore departs – and our fingers are crossed a force-fed V6 rear-driver is among the local line-up.
Meantime, Kia Motors Australia says it has no plans to join the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship with the Stinger. News reports late last year had linked the Korean manufacturer with a move into the new Gen2 era for 2018, however KIA spokesperson Kevin Hepworth hosed down that speculation in March.
“We are not chasing anything in motorsport,” Hepworth told Speedcafe.com
“We have talked to a couple teams that have approached us as a courtesy, but really it has gone no further than that. We have had interest in the Stinger and we have listened politely but there is no steps behind that.”
Supercars’ Gen2 era begins next year, with Holden and Nissan – the latter with the existing V8-powered Altima – the only marques to commit to the regulations so far. The new rules will allow two-door body shapes and non V8 engines into the series.