All this good news coming from Kia Motors has us rolling over with glee. In the span of a single week, not only did the sporty Kia Stinger earn the first-ever “Engineering Award for the Highest Rated All-New Vehicle” from J.D. Power, but a special edition of the Stinger has been released, making its debut in New York with a racy look and dynamic all-wheel drive technology. Enthusiasts rejoice! Sports cars are here to stay with Kia Motors going GT.
Limited Edition Stinger GTS
The new Limited Edition Kia Stinger GTS is one of several special editions released by Kia for the Kia Stinger. In 2018, a year after its release, three special edition Kia Stinger models were introduced to the auto market. Now, nearly two years into its success and the Kia Stinger continues to be a crowd favorite as Kia’s highest performing sport sedan. Not only has the Stinger established itself as a true competitor in the sport sedan segment with strong sales figures, but it has also changed the face of Kia Motors. It turned the automaker into a sports car company, and the technology inside the Kia Stinger GTS shows.
During the autumn of 2018, Kia Motors announced that their next-generation “CK D-AWD” system at the Hyundai Motor Group’s Namyang R&D Center in South Korea was already being tested with successful results. The awkward acronym, “CK D-AWD”, stands for the Stinger’s chassis code (CK) and “Dynamic All-Wheel Drive”. In short, Kia Motors and Hyundai were designing a new drivetrain transfer case for all-wheel drive. With CK D-AWD, all-wheel drive may come standard on future GT vehicles, but the system will allow consumers to send more power to the rear axle. Many consumers have stated that they enjoy the Kia Stinger with rear-wheel drive more, relating it to a more connected and dynamic feel over the vehicle.
The result is a new version of the Kia Stinger’s all-wheel-drive system mixed with some rear-wheel drive DNA. Still going by the name D-AWD, the system has been since then tweaked. The D-AWD comes with a mechanical limited-slip rear differential to enhance traction and distribute power more evenly between the rear wheels when a loss of traction is detected. Like the original concept, a new Drive Mode is centered around rear-biased dynamics that affect how much power is sent to the rear axle. It comes in three modes:
– Comfort mode transmits 60-percent for a feeling of stability
– Sport mode sends 80-percent for more spirited driving
– Drift mode sends up to 100 percent and holds gears without upshifting
D-AWD is actually a choice for the Stinger GTS Limited Edition, offering enthusiasts a choice to just lock into rear-wheel drive regardless. Leaning more into the GT name, the potent powertrain of the Kia Stinger GT is underneath the hood, a 365 hp 3.3-liter V6 twin turbo that can generate 376 lb-ft of torque and tied to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Now let’s talk enhancements.
When it comes to the exterior, the Stinger GTS features an exclusive “Federation” premium orange paint color; genuine carbon fiber parts that highlight the brand’s signature tiger-nose grille, side mirror caps, and side vents; a GTS rear emblem, and a center Stinger emblem that replaces the Kia logo on the trunk lid. Now that’s a custom appearance for a limited edition vehicle.
The interior comes with the steering wheel and center console covered in Alcantara, the headliner made of premium suede-like Chamude, and a sunroof for an upscale and luxurious atmosphere. Some nice technology also makes an appearance with a 720-watt Harman/Kardon premium audio system with QuantumLogic and Clari-Fi signal enhancing technology and a wireless charger for compatible smartphones. Just more creature comforts for owners of the Kia Stinger GTS.
Limited to just 800 units, the special edition Kia Stinger GTS has production planned for this spring. The expected MSRP is around $44,000 for the model with RWD and around $46,500 for the model with D-AWD. Find out when it’s available for purchase by following Miami Lakes Kia social media.