Kia has unveiled an all-new ‘halo’ car for the brand; the Stinger. Set to be launched this year, the car is powered by two new powertrains.
While both engines are still under development, the entry level car will be powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder Theta II engine is said to produce an estimated 255hp at approximately 6,200rpm. Max torque of 260lb-ft. is available between 1,400 and 4,000rpm.
The range topping ‘Stinger GT’ further boosts the car’s performance credentials, by utilizing a 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 Lambda II engine, which is anticipated to produce 365hp at an estimated 6,000rpm and offer max torque of 376lb-ft. between 1,300 and 4,500rpm. Kia is targeting 5.1 seconds to 62 mph and a top speed of 167 mph with the twin turbocharged V6.
The 3.3-liter Lambda II engine is already used by sister brand Hyundai in its ‘Genesis’ sub-brand of luxury vehicles.
Regardless of the engine chosen, power will be transferred through Kia’s own ‘in-house’ developed, second-generation eight-speed rear-drive automatic transmission. First offered in the K900 luxury sedan, the gearbox has been redesigned to ‘reward drivers with crisp shifts and maximized fuel efficiency’. The transmission features Kia’s first use of a Centrifugal Pendulum Absorber (CPA) torque converter to help reduce torsional vibrations through the drivetrain. Drivers can let the gearbox manage shifts on its own or may selectively run through the gears via paddle shifters mounted aft of the steering wheel. As with the suspension and steering, up to five different shift patterns may be selected through the vehicle’s electronic drive-mode system.