2021 Kia Stinger's updated features amp up Gran Turismo character

Kia Motors released new details about the upcoming 2021 Stinger, and biggest news of all is the range of upgrades that elevate the fastback sports sedan’s performance, stylishness and safety to more than a few notches above average.

Aside from the exterior and interior changes revealed earlier this month, the updated Kia Stinger will also be offered with a powerful Smartstream 2.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine that delivers 300hp. This new powertrain has been announced for the 2021 Stinger’s North American-spec version. Whether it will be made available in other markets remains to be seen.

The Smartstream 2.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine will be added to the Stinger’s existing powertrain options, which includes a 2.0-liter turbo-4 gasoline engine rated at 252hp, and a twin-turbo 3.3-liter T-GDi V6 from Kia’s ‘Lambda’ engine that’s good for 368hp.

The upgraded Stinger also comes with a series of new ‘connected car’ features to improve convenience for owners. Among these technologies is a Remote Engine Start system, which allows owners to start their car from afar using the Stinger’s smart key. However, the availability of this and other systems will depend upon market and vehicle specification.

In certain markets, Kia’s UVO App can be used to pre-activate the Stinger’s seat heating and ventilation functions in advance, creating a comfortable temperature so owners can avoid the troublesome situation of sitting on a hot or cold seat.

Kia’s latest driver assist and safety features will also feature prominently in the new Stinger, along with improvements to the interior packaging for greater space and comfort.

The Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) offered previously carries over, as well as a series of new features and updates to provide even better protection for the driver, their passengers and other road users.

The ADAS range in the Stinger is comprehensive, with many of the existing systems newly updated, including the following Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), and Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA).

For Europe, the upgraded Stinger now features Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW), Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control (NSCC), and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA).

Meanwhile the following new ADAS technologies and convenience features have been added to the Stinger for the first time:

• Safe Exit Warning (SEW) detects vehicles coming up from behind on either side of the Stinger when parked and stopped, alerting occupants with a sound and visual warning if they attempt to open the door into oncoming traffic
• Kia’s cutting-edge Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM) technology acts as a ‘second pair of eyes’ for drivers by eliminating a driver’s left- and right-side blind spots. It displays a high-resolution video feed within the ‘Supervision’ digital instrument cluster if the driver indicates to change lane with another vehicle in their blind spot. The video feed comes from discreet wide-angle lenses hidden beneath the door mirror housings, giving drivers a wider viewing angle of their blind spots
• Lane Following Assist (LFA) helps the vehicle stay in the center of its lane
• Highway Driving Assist (HDA) helps maintain a set distance from the vehicle in front on the highway, and keep the car in the center of its lane, even on a curved road
• Rear Occupant Alert (ROA) provides a warning to the driver if they leave behind any pets or children when they exit the car 

“The Stinger remains the standard-bearer for the Kia brand, almost a decade after we first revealed the Kia GT Concept in 2011. It remains our most driver-focused car, and is capable of covering great distances in comfort and style,” said Thomas Schemera, Head of Product Division at Hyundai Motor Group. “The upgraded model builds on the Stinger’s well-established grand touring ethos, with a renewed sense of design flair, new powertrains and technologies, and greater usability enhancing its appeal for buyers in markets around the world.”

Also exclusive to the North American market is a ‘Black Package’ that adds blacked-out accessories to the fastback sedan, including matte black 19-inch wheels, black accents on the fender vents and side mirrors, and a black trunk lid rear wing.

Inside, the new Stinger shows off a new 10.25-inch center console touchscreen, better quality materials, and new cabin color options including Nappa leather upholstery available in Saturn Black, Red or Beige. The Saturn Black option in particular, finishes the seats in black suede with contrast chain-pattern red stitching. Buyers can opt for the dashboard and doors to come finished in contrasting needlework.

The now-frameless rearview mirror creates a modern look while enhancing rear visibility. The instrument panel still consists of the same seven-inch multi-function display used in the previous model. The center console on the other hand, is now available with aluminum or carbon fiber-style trim. An ambient lighting package has also been added.

The new Kia Stinger is due on-sale in Korea within the third quarter of 2020. Sales in many of Kia’s global markets will follow later.

The current Kia Stinger available locally, a 2019/2020 model, has a starting price of PHP3.24 million.

Photo/s from Kia Motors

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