Kia Motors has followed through on the promise of a production model of the GT Concept. The all-new 2018 Kia Stinger is the culmination of a years-long journey into the sportback segment.
Riding on a chassis comprised of 55-percent advanced high-strength steel, the Stinger provides an ultra-stiff foundation. This rigidity also helps to reduce NVH for a quieter cabin. The MacPherson front setup features large diameter shock absorbers, high-strength wheel bearings and an aluminum strut brace, while the reinforced five-link rear suspension is mounted to a stiffened rear subframe.
The base Stinger rides on a passive suspension tuned to offer a balance of handling and ride comfort, while the GT trim is available with Kia’s first continuously damping electronically controlled suspension, called dynamic stability damping control (DSDC). While aiming to predict the driver’s inputs, depending on road conditions and driving style, DSDC can be tuned to respond with more agility through corners as the system softens the front shocks and firms up the rear. Conversely, improved high-speed stability is achieved when the system stiffens the front shocks and softens the rear. The system is accessed by the driver through five modes: custom, eco, sport, comfort and smart.
If the chassis symbolizes the bones of a gran turismo, then surely the available powertrains represent its heart. Oriented longitudinally and set rearward beneath the long, sculpted hood, a choice of two turbocharged engines is available.
The 2.0-liter twin-scroll turbocharged four-cylinder Theta II engine produces 225 horsepower at 6,200 rpm with 260 pound-feet of maximum torque available from 1,400-4,000 rpm, propelling the Stinger from 0-60 mph in just 5.9 seconds. Performance credentials are further enhanced through the available 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 Lambda II engine, which produces 365 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and offers 376 pound-feet of torque from 1,350-4,500 rpm. Pushing the twin turbocharged V6 to its full potential will allow the Stinger GT to achieve a governed top speed of 167 mph.
The Stinger is Kia’s first sedan available with rear- or all-wheel drive. Rear-wheel biased for control in the wet or dry, the in-house engineered AWD system6 monitors driver inputs and road conditions and automatically distributes power in real-time based on driving situation. The advanced AWD system is engineered to enhance turn-in and reduce understeer by applying braking force to the inner wheels. The system also freely distributes torque between the front and rear wheels, depending on driving conditions. Should the system detect slip, power is seamlessly directed toward the front or rear wheels, depending on the driving condition. Up to 50 percent of torque can be distributed to the front wheels, and the Stinger’s AWD system is fully integrated with its drive mode settings.
A choice of alloy wheels and tires is also offered. The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder models ride on 225/45R-18 performance all-season tires while the 3.3-liter V6 is shod with staggered ultra-high performance Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires that have been specifically engineered and tuned for the Stinger, 225/40R-19 in front and 255/35R-19 at the rear.
The Stinger is equipped with numerous safety features. One, a Kia first, is the driver attention warning system, which is designed to help combat distracted or drowsy driving. The system monitors a number of inputs from the vehicle and the driver and will sound a warning chime and display graphic in the instrument binnacle that it’s time to take a break from driving if it senses the driver’s attention level has been significantly reduced.
Forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection is designed to monitor vehicles and pedestrians ahead of the vehicle, and if it detects a potential collision with another vehicle or pedestrian, it works to help bring the car to a halt. Smart cruise control with stop and go is designed to maintain a pre-set distance between the Stinger and the vehicle in front and can bring the car to a full stop in traffic. Lane keeping assist is designed to detect and monitor the vehicle’s intended lane, and in certain situations, alert the driver with an audible warning along with providing steering input to help maintain the vehicle’s position. Blind spot collision warning includes rear cross-traffic collision warning, which scans the area behind the vehicle when backing from a parking space and can alert the driver with an audible warning if it detects cross traffic.
The available height-adjustable color head-up display enables the driver to see driving information projected on the windshield glass, including speed, turn-by-turn navigation, audio and cruise control settings and blind spot collision warning information. Bluetooth hands-free operation is standard, while many of the vehicle’s subsystems may be accessed through the steering-wheel-mounted controls.
The base audio system for the 2.0-liter turbo features six speakers and a seven-inch touchscreen with the latest version of UVO, Kia’s telematics system. The standard system found in the 3.3-liter twin turbo ups the speaker count to nine and includes an external amplifier. The available premium Harman/Kardon audio system pumps out 720 watts through an external amplifier to provide crystal-clear music.
The Stinger comes in five trim levels: entry-level Stinger 2.0L, Premium, GT, GT1 and GT2. The Stinger 2.0L has a starting MSRP of $32,900. A top-of-the-line GT2 — with 3.3-liter V6 twin turbo GDI engine, Kia drive wise system, shift-by-wire, Nappa leather seats, head-up display, AWD, all season tires and remote start — carries a price tag of $53,680.
Servicing the 2018 Kia Stinger
The normal maintenance schedule should be followed if the vehicle is usually operated where none of the following conditions apply. If any of the following conditions apply, the maintenance under severe usage conditions scheduled should be followed:- Repeated driving short distances of less than 5 miles (8 km) in normal temperatures or less than 10 miles (16 km) in freezing temperatures
- Extensive engine idling or low-speed driving for long distances
- Driving on rough, dusty, muddy, unpaved, graveled or salt-spread roads
- Driving in areas using salt or other corrosive materials or in very cold weather
- Driving in heavy dust conditions
- Driving in heavy traffic
- Driving on uphill, downhill or mountain roads repeatedly
- Towing a trailer or using a camper or roof rack
- Driving as a patrol car, taxi or other commercial use of vehicle towing
- Frequently driving in stop-and-go conditions
NORMAL MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
Every 6,000 miles (10,000 km):- Rotate tires
Every 6,000 miles (10,00 km) or every 12 months:
- Replace engine oil and engine oil filter
- Replace climate control air filter
- Inspect vacuum hose
- Inspect battery condition
- Inspect brake lines, hoses and connections
- Inspect disc brakes and pads
- Inspect steering gear rack, linkage and boots
- Inspect driveshaft and boots
- Inspect suspension mounting bolts
- Inspect air conditioner refrigerant
- Inspect air conditioner compressor
- Inspect propeller shaft
- Inspect exhaust pipe and muffler
- Inspect intercooler, in/out hose and air intake hose
- If Top Tier Detergent Gasoline is not available, add one bottle of fuel additive.
Every 12,000 miles (20,000 km) or 24 months:
- Inspect air cleaner filter
- Inspect vapor hose, fuel filler cap and fuel tank
- Inspect fuel tank air filter
- Inspect parking brake
- Inspect brake fluid
Every 24,000 miles (40,000 km) or 48 months:
- Inspect cooling system
- Inspect fuel lines, hoses and connections
Every 36,000 miles (60,000 km) or 72 months:
- Inspect rear differential oil (without LSD)
- Replace rear differential oil (with LSD)
- Inspect front differential oil (AWD only)
Every 42,000 miles (70,000 km):
- Replace spark plugs
Every 60,000 miles (100,000 km) or 72 months:
- Inspect valve clearance
At 60,000 miles (100,000 km) or 72 months and then every 12,000 miles (20,000 km) or every 24 months:
- Inspect drive belts
At 120,000 miles (200,000 km) or 10 years and then every 30,000 miles (50,000 km) or 24 months:
- Replace engine coolant
MAINTENANCE UNDER SEVERE USAGE CONDITIONS
The following items must be serviced more frequently on cars normally used under severe driving conditions.Repeated driving short distance of less than 5 miles (8 km) in normal temperatures or less than 10 miles (16 km) in freezing temperatures
Every 3,000 miles (5,000 km) or six months:
- Replace engine oil and engine oil filter
Every 60,000 miles (100,000 km):
- Replace automatic transaxle fluid
More frequently:
- Replace spark plugs
Extensive engine idling or low-speed driving for long distances
Every 3,000 miles ((5,000 km) or six months:
- Replace engine oil and engine oil filter
More frequently:
- Replace spark plugs
Driving on rough, dusty, muddy, unpaved, graveled or salt-spread roads
Every 3,000 miles ((5,000 km) or six months:
- Replace engine oil and engine oil filter
Every 36,000 miles (60,000 km):
- Replace rear differential oil (with LSD)
Every 60,000 miles (100,000 km):
- Replace automatic transaxle fluid
Every 72,000 miles (120,000 km):
- Replace rear differential oil (without LSD)
- Replace front differential oil (AWD only)
More frequently:
- Inspect air cleaner filter
- Inspect front brake disc/pads, calipers
- Inspect rear brake disc/pads
- Inspect parking brake
- Inspect steering gear box, linkage and boots, lower arm ball joint, upper arm ball joint
- Inspect drive shafts and boots
- Replace climate control air filter (for evaporator and blower unit)
- Inspect propeller shaft
Driving in areas using salt or other corrosive materials or in very cold weather
Every 3,000 miles ((5,000 km) or six months:
- Replace engine oil and engine oil filter
Every 60,000 miles (100,000 km):
- Replace automatic transaxle fluid
Inspect more frequently:
- Inspect front brake disc/pads, calipers
- Inspect rear brake disc/pads
- Inspect parking brake
- Inspect steering gear box, linkage and boots, lower arm ball joint, upper arm ball joint
- Inspect drive shafts and boots
Driving in heavy dust conditions
Every 3,000 miles ((5,000 km) or six months:
- Replace engine oil and engine oil filter
Every 36,000 miles (60,000 km):
- Replace rear differential oil (with LSD)
Every 60,000 miles (100,000 km):
- Replace automatic transaxle fluid
Every 72,000 miles (120,000 km):
- Replace rear differential oil (without LSD)
- Replace front differential oil (AWD only)
More frequently:
- Inspect air cleaner filter
- Inspect front brake disc/pads, calipers
- Inspect rear brake disc/pads
- Inspect steering gear box, linkage and boots, lower arm ball joint, upper arm ball joint
- Inspect drive shafts and boots
- Replace climate control air filter (for evaporator and blower unit)
- Inspect propeller shaft
Driving in heavy traffic
Every 3,000 miles ((5,000 km) or six months:
- Replace engine oil and engine oil filter
Every 60,000 miles (100,000 km):
- Replace automatic transaxle fluid
More frequently:
- Replace spark plugs
- Inspect steering gear box, linkage and boots, lower arm ball joint, upper arm ball joint
- Inspect drive shafts and boots
Driving on uphill, downhill or mountain roads repeatedly
Every 3,000 miles ((5,000 km) or six months:
- Replace engine oil and engine oil filter
Every 36,000 miles (60,000 km):
- Replace rear differential oil (with LSD)
Every 60,000 miles (100,000 km):
- Replace automatic transaxle fluid
Every 72,000 miles (120,000 km):
- Replace rear differential oil (without LSD)
- Replace front differential oil (AWD only)
More frequently:
- Replace spark plugs
- Inspect front brake disc/pads, calipers
- Inspect rear brake disc/pads
- Inspect parking brake
- Inspect steering gear box, linkage and boots, lower arm ball joint, upper arm ball joint
- Inspect drive shafts and boots
- Replace climate control air filter (for evaporator and blower unit)
Towing a trailer, or using a camper, or roof rack
Every 3,000 miles ((5,000 km) or six months:
- Replace engine oil and engine oil filter
Every 36,000 miles (60,000 km):
- Replace rear differential oil (with LSD)
Every 60,000 miles (100,000 km):
- Replace automatic transaxle fluid
Every 72,000 miles (120,000 km):
- Replace rear differential oil (without LSD)
- Replace front differential oil (AWD only)
More frequently:
- Replace spark plugs
- Inspect front brake disc/pads, calipers
- Inspect rear brake disc/pads
- Inspect parking brake
- Inspect drive shafts and boots
Driving as a patrol car, taxi, other commercial use or vehicle towing
Every 3,000 miles ((5,000 km) or six months:
- Replace engine oil and engine oil filter
Every 36,000 miles (60,000 km):
- Replace rear differential oil (with LSD)
Every 60,000 miles (100,000 km):
- Replace automatic transaxle fluid
Every 72,000 miles (120,000 km):
- Replace rear differential oil (without LSD)
- Replace front differential oil (AWD only)
More frequently:
- Replace spark plugs
- Inspect drive shafts and boots
Driving over 106 mph (170 km/h)
Every 3,000 miles ((5,000 km) or six months:
- Replace engine oil and engine oil filter
Every 36,000 miles (60,000 km):
- Replace rear differential oil (with LSD)
Every 60,000 miles (100,000 km):
- Replace automatic transaxle fluid
Every 72,000 miles (120,000 km):
- Replace rear differential oil (without LSD)
- Replace front differential oil (AWD only)
More frequently:
- Inspect drive shafts and boots
Frequently driving in stop-and-go conditions
Every 3,000 miles ((5,000 km) or six months:
- Replace engine oil and engine oil filter
More frequently:
- Replace spark plugs
Fluids and Capacities
Engine oil: SAE 5W-30, ACEA A5 or above (3.3L engine); SAE 0W-30, ACEA C2 or above (2.0L engine); capacity is 7.29 quarts (6.9 liters) – 3.3L engine and 6.02 quarts (5.7 liters) – 2.0L engine
Automatic transaxle fluid: Kia genuine ATF SP-IV-RR; capacity is 9.71 quarts (9.2 liters)
Brake fluid: FMVSS116 DOT 3 or DOT 4; capacity is 0.42 quarts (0.395 liters)
