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Our
2018 Kia
Stinger
GT 2
AS-TESTED
PRICE:
$50,175
ENGINE:
3.3-liter twin-turbo
DOHC 24-valve
V-6/365 hp @
6,000 rpm, 376 lb-ft
@ 1,300 rpm
TRANSMISSION:
8-speed automatic
LAYOUT:
4-door, 5-passenger,
front-engine, RWD
sedan
EPA MILEAGE:
19 /25 mpg (city/hwy)
L x W x H:
190.2 x 73.6 x 55.1 in
WHEELBASE:
114.4 in
WEIGHT:
3,829 lb
0-60 MPH:
4.7 sec
TOP SPEED:
167 mphQUIET RIOT
Our Kia has talent, but there
was no way it was going to
shake the OVC’s GT 350 R. The
Stinger’s advantage is stealth.wildfires. Motor homes are parked next to the blackened
remains of houses as residents rebuild their homes and
their lives. As we pass a field of blooming wildflowers,
Sutton says, “That’d make a nice picture. Yikes!” We’re in a
sudden left-hander. “Oop, oop, oops,” Marietta says, and—
thankfully—the Kia’s tires bite with their usual ferocity.
We suggest that this particular corner seems to come
out of nowhere. “It is a surprising curve,” Marietta agrees.
“It looks like there’s a dip and you’re going to go straight,
but guess what, you’re turning left. You ever been to Lime
Rock? That reminds me of a little dipsy-doodle there.”
“Full speed ahead!” Sutton cries.
We wend our way back to where the Mustang is parked
and then retire to a local burger joint to talk over their
impressions. The hard-core American performance gurus
refuse to scoff at the Korean upstart.
“It’s a nice-feeling car, without question,” Marietta says.
“It has a lot of grunt, and it accelerates quickly. I wasn’t
expecting the low-rpm grunt that it has. I felt a little
pull to the right on acceleration, which means it proba-
bly doesn’t have positraction.” (The Stinger does have a
mechanical limited-slip diff—optional on 2018 cars and
standard as of 2019—but it may unlock briefly if the sta-
bility control is triggered, in order to allow a brake to be
applied on a single rear wheel.)
“You definitely need to keep it in Sport mode,” Marietta
continues. “I think they can tighten up the suspension a