More tech, power and safety for upgraded Kia Stinger
New design packages for Kia’s gran turismo fastback sports sedan
New ‘Smartstream’ 2.5-liter T-GDi launched for Korea, US and Mexico
New variable exhaust valve for improved 3.3-liter T-GDi exhaust color in various markets
Innovative technologies with ‘connected’ 10.25-inch infotainment system
Improved security features include new Blind-Spot View Monitor
Upgraded model for sale worldwide from the third quarter of 2020
The updated Kia Stinger is unveiled in full detail today for the first time, featuring the high-performance fastback sports sedan with a number of upgrades to enhance its gran turismo character.
In addition to the updated design, unveiled earlier this month, the improved Kia Stinger includes Kia’s latest features for Kia’s assistance and safety, as well as improved interior packaging for greater space and comfort. For North America, the upgraded model is now also being offered with a powerful new ‘Smartstream’ 2.5-liter turbo petrol engine.
“The Stinger remains the standard carrier for the Kia brand, almost a decade after we unveiled the Kia GT Concept for the first time in 2011. It remains our most driver-driven car, and is capable of reaching great distances in comfort and style, “said Thomas Schemera, Chief Product Officer at Hyundai Motor Group. “The upgraded model builds on the Stinger’s well-established big touring high, with an innovative sense of design flair, new drives and technologies, and greater usability that will appeal to buyers in markets around the world.”
The new Kia Stinger will go on sale in Korea in the third quarter of 2020, with sales later in the year in many of Kia’s global markets.
New 2.5-liter T-GDi added to high power station performance
The upgraded Stinger offers a customized range of three powerful turbocharged petrol engines, in line with its reputation as the most performance-oriented car that Kia makes. Each engine offers fast acceleration and quick responses to the input of drivers, while offering a refined great touring experience for fixed cruises.
A new engine has been added to the Stinger line-up exclusively for North American customers. The new ‘Smartstream’ 2.5-liter T-GDi (turbo-direct petrol direct injection) engine sits directly between the two existing petrol engines, producing 304 ps at 5,800 rpm. The maximum torque of the new four-cylinder engine, 422 Nm, is accessible from 1,650 to 4,000 rpm, making it easy for drivers to build and maintain speed in all conditions.
The most powerful engine in the Stinger lineup, a twin-turbo 3.3-liter T-GDi V6 from Kia’s engine family ‘Lambda’, remains unchanged, except for a new Electronic Variable Exhaust Valve system *. This has a small butterfly valve in the exhaust that opens and closes, producing a more prominent, deeper exhaust note in Sport driving modes, or a quieter, more muted exhaust note in Eco or Comfort mode. In addition to improving the sound quality, the changed path of the exhaust stream helps to release 3 ps extra from the engine (for a total of 373 ps at 6,000 rpm). The torque of 510 Nm is accessible from 1,300 to 4,500 rpm, making the Stinger unmatched anywhere.
The 2.0-liter turbocharged ‘Theta’ engine, also available since the car’s launch in 2017, has not changed and produces 255 ps at 6,200 rpm and 353 Nm of torque from 1,400 to 4,000 rpm.
All three motors are coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission, which corresponds to the person of the long legs of the gran turismo.
Display new broadband info systems and digital drivers
At the heart of the Stinger’s enhanced cabin is an upgraded touchscreen infotainment system that delivers new features to meet customers’ changing expectations about in-car technology.
Depending on the brand and specification, the upgraded Stinger is now available with an optional new 10.25-inch touchscreen display. Bluetooth multi-connection enables users to connect two mobile devices at the same time – one for hands-free phone and multimedia use; the other for media use only. The advanced split-screen display lets users simultaneously control or monitor various cycling functions, and customizes the screen with a series of different widgets. The 10.25-inch system offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, with a voice control system for many features of the car, such as heating and ventilation, audio and navigation.
A new 8.0-inch touchscreen display with a narrow edge design is also available, as a replacement for the previous 7.0-inch system. Depending on the market, the larger view also offers wireless connectivity with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Drivers have the choice of two instrument cluster displays, based on specification for cars. The standard 3.5-inch mono-TFT cluster has now been replaced by a larger 4.2-inch color TFT LCD cluster, which provides improved visibility and displays a wider range of information to the driver. In addition, a fully digital 7.0-inch high-resolution ‘Supervision’ cluster is available – a full color display with vivid graphics for various driving modes, providing crystal clear information to the driver.
Technologies to improve daily usability
The upgraded Stinger has a series of new ‘connected car’ features to improve convenience for owners in many countries. Depending on brand and bike specification, among these technologies is a Remote Engine Start system, which allows owners to start their car remotely with the Stinger smart key.
In some markets, Kia’s UVO app can be used to pre-activate Stinger’s seat heating and ventilation features, create a comfortable temperature before entering the car, and prevent the inconvenience of sitting on a hot or cold seat.
New ADAS technologies to help drivers and protect passengers
The upgraded Kia Stinger carries the same Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) it previously offered, as well as a series of new features and updates to provide even better protection for the driver, its passengers and other road users.
Depending on the brand and bike specification, the ADAS range in the Stinger is extensive, with many of the existing systems newly updated:
Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) now provides protection when you turn across the road at an intersection by identifying oncoming traffic on the other side of the road. Furthermore, it offers increased activation range when locating a car, pedestrian or cyclist
Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) is now able to detect the edge of a road, such as the lines in the road, and provides steering assistance to prevent the driver from leaving their route without signaling
Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) provides an improvement over the existing Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW). Instead of simply warning drivers about cars in adjacent lanes on the freeway, BCA helps drivers prevent a possible collision by adjusting differential braking
For Europe, the upgraded Stinger now has Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA) based on traffic sign recognition
Warning Driver Warning (DAW) now has an increased driving speed of a maximum of 210 km / h, and also warns drivers if they do not notice the car leaving in front of a stop
Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control (NSCC) helps to drive round areas of a highway, and automatically reduce the car’s speed to an appropriate level before entering the bend. It goes back to the original speed when the car leaves the bend
A similar update has been made to reverse parking, with Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA) now helping to prevent collisions with overtaking cars when reversing (previously the system only warned the driver)
The following new ADAS technologies and convenience features have been added to the Stinger for the first time:
Safe Exit Warning (SEW) detects cars coming from behind on both sides of the Stinger as they park and stop, and warns occupants with an audible and visual warning as they attempt to open the door to oncoming traffic
Kia’s advanced Blind Spot View Monitor (BVM) technology acts as a ‘second pair of eyes’ for drivers by eliminating the blind spots on the left and right sides of a driver. It displays a high-resolution video feed within the digital instrument cluster ‘Supervision’ as the driver indicates to change lanes with another car in its blind spot. The video feed comes from discrete wide-angle lenses hidden under the home mirrors, giving drivers a wider viewing angle from their blind spots
Lane Following Assist (LFA) helps the car stay in the center of its lane
Highway Driving Assist (HDA) helps maintain a set distance from the car in front on the freeway, keeping the car in the center of its lane, even on a curved road
Rear Owner Alarm (ROA) gives a warning to the driver if they leave pets or children when they leave the car
* Electronic variable exhaust valve fits standard on all 3.3-liter T-GDi models except those sold in Europe and Russia (which produce 370 ps at 6,000 rpm, and 510 Nm over 1,300-4,500 rpm)
