A GRAND ADDITION
KIA STINGER GT LINE 2.0 Carmel Stewart finds Kia’s first GT to be a worthy competitor
Even with the most awesome crystal ball, could anyone have predicted that Kia would be the company to launch a super-duper streamlined, stylish, performance GT?
A Grand Tourer to challenge all premium contenders, the Stinger adds another dimension to the Kia line-up – a lineup which has been transformed over the past decade.
This latest delight owes much to Kia’s strong design and engineering team with Peter Schreyer at the helm and Albert Biermann, formerly of BMW, the high-performance expert.
Six years in the making, it’s been tested in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and America – north and south. It has sleek, stylish lines with a long bonnet, high waist and low air intakes either side, ensuring the rear-wheel drive Stinger looks every inch the part.
It comes with the choice of three engines and three trims. The Gt-line and Gt-line S are powered by either a 2.0litre 244bhp petrol engine or a 2.2-litre 197bhp diesel while the range-topping GT S is sold exclusively with a 3.3-litre 365bhp twin-turbo V6. All are turbo-charged, direct injection and all are mated to an eight-speed auto transmission.
With that amount of power, the performance stats are bound to be impressive – 0-60mph in less than five seconds for the 3.3-litre V6 and on to a top speed of 168mph. The 2.0-litre petrol unit tested zaps from a standing start to 60mph in less than six seconds and has an average fuel economy of 35.8mpg which works out at more than 450 miles between fuel stops.
On the road, the Stinger is a delight, with rock solid road holding, precise, well-weighted steering, impressively effective brakes and a suspension set-up which absorbs all but the most unkempt town centre surfaces.
Regardless of engine size, the Stinger is a pacey performer with the smooth automatic gearing keeping well up with the action.
Through the drive mode selector, drivers can choose one of five different set-ups adjusting shift and throttle programmes. Opt for the top GT S spec and dynamic stability damping control is added to the list of driver selectable changes – normal, sport and comfort.
Inside, the cabin is more spacious than you might expect. The low driving seat is easily adjustable thanks to the standard electric set-up. The rear has seat belts for three but two would be more comfortable and your own hips are preferable given the low slung position. In addition, the outer two are heated on some specs . Keeping-in-touch requirements are taken care of via Bluetooth plus Apple Car Play and Android Auto whereby your phone is synced with the car’s connectivity set up.
The standard eight-inch touch screen has full European mapping and a traffic messaging channel. Drivers can access traffic, speed camera and weather info via Kia Connected Services. There are USB ports front and back and the top two specs have a wireless phone charger.
Prices start at £31,995 for the Gt-line. The price includes 18-inch alloys, an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat, eight-inch screen with Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity plus DAB radio, head-up display and cruise control – so a lot of kit for your money.