#KIA 2018 Stinger GT Line Micro Blue @ Design

At an event typically dominated by introductions from American auto companies, Kia Motors America (KMA) stole the spotlight with the world debut of the all-new 2018 Kia Stinger at the 2018 North American International Auto Show. A five-passenger fastback sports sedan poised to redefine a segment currently populated by European automakers, the Kia Stinger promises to be the highest-performance production vehicle in the company's history and is backed by Kia Motors' industry-leading quality and reliability. Offered with multiple engine and drivetrain configurations and luxurious accommodations, the Kia Stinger is planned to go on sale in the U.S. in late 2017.
"Unlike any Kia that has come before it, the Stinger really is a dream car for us, and here today in Detroit, that dream is now a reality after years of commitment and hard work from a passionate group of designers, engineers and executives around the world," said Orth Hedrick, vice president, product planning, Kia Motors America. "From its GT concept-car origins to the years of tuning and refining on the legendary Nurburgring circuit, no detail was too small to be obsessed over, and the result is simply stunning."
Instantly recognizable as a direct evolution of the concept that preceded it, the all-new 2018 Kia Stinger design was overseen by Peter Schreyer, Kia Motors' chief design officer, and his talented team of designers in Frankfurt. Ride and handling development was looked after by Albert Biermann, head of Kia's Vehicle Test and High Performance Development and his group of engineers in Korea and on the grueling Nurburgring racing circuit.
But what makes a true gran turismo? This question was the foundation for a years-long journey that began when the GT concept was first unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. Although every Kia design study has a purpose, the GT concept was something considered by many outside the company as little more than a dream for a brand known for producing mass-market transportation rooted in value. But the GT ignited embers of passion that sparked a fire within the organization and over the next five years that fire would grow beyond fantasy and morph into reality.
Once the Kia Stinger was green lighted, that gran turismo question became a mantra as development commenced. Coming from Kia, the design had to be bold. And it was. But it also had to be nimble and fast while also luxurious and quiet. It had to achieve the perfect balance of ride and handling and seat five comfortably with room for luggage. It had to be a lot of things, but most of all, it had to be an authentic gran turismo. And it is.
Design
Turning a concept into a production car is no small task and Schreyer looked no further than Kia's Frankfurt studio - the birthplace of the GT concept - to bring the Stinger to life. "A true gran turismo, a car for spirited long-distance driving, is not about outright power, hard-edged dynamics and brutal styling, all at the expense of luxury, comfort and grace," notes Gregory Guillaume, chief designer, Kia Motors Europe. "The Stinger has nothing to do with being the first to arrive at the destination - this car is all about the journey. It's about passion."
From its sleek front clip through its svelte flanks, and up to its powerful haunches, the Kia Stinger exudes a muscular confidence. Key to its road presence are the rear-wheel-drive proportions; a long hood and short front overhang, an extended wheelbase to deliver a spacious cabin, and a long rear overhang with strong shoulders. The Stinger's stance and visual balance are designed to lend the car an air of elegance and athleticism, rather than boy-racer aggression.
The wide front and rear track, along with the recessed contours along the doors, enhance the visual power of the Stinger's shoulder line as well as its fastback silhouette. Other purely functional elements of the exterior design - the front air curtains, wheel arch gills, smooth underbody, and integrated rear diffuser - aid its aerodynamic efficiency. The rear valance houses four oval exhaust pipes. Kia's signature 'tiger-nose' grille sits proudly between complex LED headlamps.
BLOG
4RTURBO!
FACEBOOK
TWITTER
INSTAGRAM