KIA paints masterpiece

You could see this one coming. Kia and sister Hyundai have never been shy about established and respected brands.

At each step during their remarkable progress, the duo has targeted the acknowledged leaders in each class they have entered.

Having become the benchmark for quality and reliability in the lower classes, according to independent surveys, the companies are moving up the ladder.

Hyundai has launched Genesis as a stand- alone brand aimed at Audi, BMW, Mercedes and Lexus. Now Kia has released the Stinger, aimed at the sport sedans from those same brands.

It is easy to scoff at the South Korean companies for trying to compete in this arena, but you don’t have to look too far back to when it seemed silly for them to take on the likes of GM, Ford, Honda and Toyota. Yet they are doing very well in that respect, resting at or near the top of the sales charts in many categories.

The Stinger does not have the lengthy history and racing success the performance cars from the German brands are built on. But, Kia does have the design, engineering and manufacturing prowess to go head-to-head with the best.

The 2018 Stinger is proof on wheels.

This sleek, rear-drive, five-door can be equipped with a twinturbo, 365-horsepower engine capable of propelling it from rest to 100 km/h in less than five seconds and through the standing quarter mile in less than 13 seconds — serious territory indeed.

The tester, a loaded Limited model, had this engine, an eightspeed automatic and all-wheel drive. It stickered at $ 50,000. That’s new territory for Kia, but $ 10,000-$ 25,000 less than the cars it is competing against. That has been Kia’s road to success — offer more for less. That price advantage becomes even greater when you start to option the competitors up to the equipment level standard on the Stinger.

Peter Schryer’s team has done it again. This is a very attractive vehicle. Sleek and low, it drew dozens of comments from passers-by during the week in my possession. From the intake scoops flanking the grill to the wrap-around taillights and mas- sive exhaust outlets, the Stinger makes a distinct visual statement.

And while it looks like a sedan, it swallows cargo like a hatchback. Because it is one.

The huge, power- operated hatch is disguised as a rear window and trunk lid. It opens nice and wide to reveal a spacious cargo area that can be expanded by folding one or both sides of the rear seat. Practicality, thy name is hatchback.

Moving beyond the looks and features, we get to the reason this car stands out — it goes like stink. There is more volume from the exhaust than some might like, but that is the first hint at the available performance.

I’ve mentioned the ability to accelerate from rest to and beyond all speed limits. What is even more impressive is the ability to squirt from 80-110 km/h in the blink of an eye. The ability to lay down all this power without wheel spin and resultant intrusive traction control, in all conditions, is made possible by a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system.

The engine is silky smooth and reasonably fuel efficient if

the driver has concern for his or her license and able to exercise restraint. When it comes time to erase some or all of that speed, big powerful Brembo brakes do the job with ease.

Kia admits to targeting the BMW 4-series coupe during development of the suspension system. The Stinger come with five driver- selectable drive modes — Smart, Eco, Comfort, Sport and Custom. The later allows the driver to play with engine and transmission response, steering effort, shock absorber and exhaust sound settings.

Pushed hard, the chassis and suspension are not quite up to the standard of the much more expensive European iron, but it takes a great deal of effort and speed to discover this slight shortfall.

The Stinger is also available in lesser trim levels at lower prices. The base model will come rearwheel drive and a turbocharged, four-cylinder engine, producing a respectable and competitive 255 horsepower.

The 2018 Kia Stinger may not have the history and reputation of the Germans and will be slightly less capable at the limit or on the track. But it will come darn close, while offering more features at a considerably lower price. The savings will buy a second vehicle.

Word is, there is quite a waiting list for this one. No wonder.