The 2018 Kia Stinger GT sedan made its debut in Detroit before the start of the Detroit auto show on Monday. The five-passenger’s design was overseen by Peter Schreyer, while ride and handling were developed by Albert Biermann, who defected from BMW’s M division.
Kia says that once the Audi/Jag-looking Stinger was green lit, gran turismo was the development team’s mantra. The company wanted the vehicle to have a good ride/handling mix, but it also had to seat five with room for luggage. Kia tuned the new Stinger on the famed Nürburgring, so handling should be sorted out. We’ll have to wait and see on the ride portion.
“I think for the Kia brand, the Stinger is like a special event,” says Biermann. “Because nobody expects such a car, not just the way it looks but also the way it drives. It's a whole different animal.”
The Stinger’s wheelbase is longer than Audi A4, Infiniti Q50 and BMW 4 competitors at 114.1 inches. It’s wider as well, with space for golf bags in the trunk
The chassis, according to Kia, is made of 55 percent high-strength steel, providing a stiff foundation, and its Dynamic Stability Damping Control system softens and stiffens things up when necessary. Drive modes include personal, eco, comfort, sport and smart. The power steering is controlled by a rack-mounted motor; that along with the variable ratio should provide an entertaining experience.
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