After a trio of teasers, Kia has once for all unveiled its GT4 Stinger Concept at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show. Let’s procure to be one thing out of the device right off the bat: Kia says in its enjoin release that “there are currently none plans to bring the concept to lengthening.” Of course, that’s a modified statement: the automaker then follows that up by noting it “has a history of delivering prolongation vehicles that bear a strong representation to the concept that preceded them.” So sullen your fingers, kids – this looks like it could exist a preview of the company’s before anything else real sports car.
Through those three teasers, we’ve deep-read and seen more of the GT4 Stinger, and we largely like which we see. It’s a 2+2, foster-drive coupe with a detuned lection of the 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder used in the Kia Optima GTS courser from the Pirelli World Challenge. The universal’s engine is said to have existence good for a healthy 315 horsepower, though the race-tuned Optima GTS be able to deliver upwards of 400. A six-hasten manual handles the power, while staggered Pirelli PZero tires furnish supplies the grip. Those Pirellis wrap around a set of 20-inch wheels, perfect with showcar-friendly center locks, though 15-inch Brembo brakes and four-piston calipers mean the Stinger should exist able to stop with as abundant authority as it will go. What the teasers harbor’t been able to put into perspective, though, is GT4 Stinger’s glutinous substance.
The footprint issue is an serious one, as it hints that a fruit GT4 would be more of each FR-S/Subaru BRZ fighter than a opponent to the Genesis Coupe.
With a 103.1-inch wheelbase and an overall length of appropriate 169.7 inches, it’s excepting that a few inches longer than a Scion FR-S and is considerably shorter than the 182.3-twelfth part of a foot Hyundai Genesis Coupe. Compared to the FR-S, the GT4 is frown and wider, both of which prognosticate good things for its agility. This is a iota of a featherweight, too, weighing in at good 2,874 pounds. It’s furthermore somewhat unusual for an automaker to bring to view a concept’s weight – by our read, that further suggests ultimate production is in mind. The footmark issue is an important one, in the same manner with it hints that if/when we call on a production GT4, it looks like it’ll have existence more of an FR-S/Subaru BRZ/Mazda MX-5 Miata combatant than a rival to the Genesis Coupe or the upcoming four-cylinder turbo Ford Mustang.
The design, meanwhile, is something of a love it or bear malice to it deal. From the side, we take heed hints of Nissan 240Z, thanks to the Stinger’s spun out hood and plunging rear end, however we aren’t completely sold adhering the nose. Those tall, vertical headlights forward either side of the large grille are interesting, but we suspect they’ll exist left on the cutting-room floor whether or not a production model is made, allowing that only because their low mountings would be active for expensive low-speed accidents (and they ability not even be DOT complaint). We observe like the transparent A-pillars that put in remembrance us of the 2001 Volvo Safety Concept Car (SCC), only don’t count on those formation it to dealers, either. The hut, meanwhile, is purposeful, with billet-aluminum doorhandles, nay carpet, a flat-bottomed steering wheel and every instrument cluster that uses red LEDs. Drivers and passengers settle in meaty, leather-wrapped bucket seats.
Now, it’s clear to say that a lot of the rubbish up here isn’t likely to complete production – concept cars rarely get the recent light without making some major compromises. Still, enthusiasts should explore the GT4 Stinger as a to a high degree positive sign. It’s small and explanation, and with any luck, it’ll furnish substantially more grunt than what would appear to be its main competitors – the BRZ and FR-S. It’ll lull be some time before we apprehend for certain whether Kia will rush ahead with a production GT4, still if history is any indication, the prospects aspect good.
Related GalleryKia GT4 Stinger Concept: Detroit 2014
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KIA SHOCKS THE MOTOR CITY WITH REAR-DRIVE GT4 STINGER CONCEPT
High-Powered Sports Car Focused without ceasing Connection Between Driver and Machine Makes World Debut at 2014 North American International Auto Show
2+2 seating outline, 315 turbocharged horsepower and six-get on manual transmission make GT4 Stinger a trusty enthusiast’s machine
GT4 Stinger was conceived by the “gearheads” in Kia’s Irvine, Calif., design studio, birthplace of iconic concept vehicles of the like kind as the Track’ster and Cross GT
DETROIT, Jan. 13, 2014 – Hearkening back to the fame days of purebred, affordable sports cars, Kia Motors America (KMA) today unveiled the kind’s most aggressive concept car to the end of time when wraps came off the GT4 Stinger at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). Kia’s view-catching design language moves in a self-poised new direction with the introduction of the GT4 Stinger. The general pushes the boundaries of performance with a rear-drive 2+2 sports car that places vassal and machine in harmony on the route or track. It comes as no surprise that the GT4 Stinger is the visionary style child of Kia’s California design team, home to its 2012 predecessor, the Track’ster concept. And like the Track’ster, the GT4 Stinger’s piquant appeal is more than skin depth.
“Driving enjoyment was the number undivided priority in designing the GT4 Stinger,” said Tom Kearns, chief designer, Kia Design Center America (KDCA). “It’s some authentic 2+2 sports car that have power to turn heads as a daily driver space of time also being right at home adhering the track. It’s about fineness, simplicity and timelessness. The GT4 Stinger is a throwback to days when driving a car was a visceral continued that wasn’t muted by electronic gimmickry.”
Emboldened through . the brand’s on-track prosperity in the Pirelli World Challenge racing concatenation with a pair of turbocharged, GTS-rank Optimas, Kia’s U.S. design team approached the GT4 Stinger devise with an eye toward weight diminution, functionality and pure driving enjoyment. The universal shuns the luxury trappings of a orally transmitted Grand Touring car and embraces the elemental actual presentation of truly engaging with the medium. “If anyone were to ask grant that Kia has the credibility to construct a car like the GT4 Stinger,” noted Kearns. “I would simply point out that Kia races – and wins – fronting some of the world’s principally legendary performance brands.”
Kia Racing and partner Kinetic Motorsports captured the Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Drivers and Team Championships in 2012 through the Forte Koup and are popularly preparing the turbocharged Optimas for their third season of duty in the Pirelli World Challenge in 2014 following a other-place finish in the Manufacturer’s Championship continue year.
Power, Poise and Proven Performance
Beneath the shabby wedge of the GT4 Stinger’s cloak resides a tuned version of Kia’s proven 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline not crooked injected (T-GDI) four-cylinder agent putting out an impressive 315 horsepower. “Our Optima racecars exercise the same engine and can bring out more than 400 horsepower,” said Kearns. “So wherefore not infuse our concept with the style of power that will make the masses take notice?”
That power is place to the ground via a be concluded-ratio six-speed manual transmission driving the bring up wheels, which are wrapped in 275/35R-20 Pirelli P-Zero work tires. Staggered 235/35R-20 Pirelli P-Zeros snug beneath the front fenders, ensuring loads of put to a stand-carving grip. Custom 20-inch aluminum center-join wheels feature carbon fiber inserts towards strength and weight reduction. Tucked interior the massive wheels are Brembo Gran Turismo two-writing 15-inch cross-drilled rotors and four-piston calipers with plenty of stopping ability.
Underpinning the GT4 Stinger’s sculpted “Ignition Yellow” material substance is a custom chassis with voluntary double wishbone suspension. With a shorter wheelbase (103.1 inches) and overall detail (169.7 inches) than a Forte sedan, a broadness (74.4 inches) greater than a Cadenza, and a swooping roofline intimately nine inches lower (49.2 inches) than a Rio subcompact, the GT4 Stinger cuts a menacing figure. It tips the scales at a insufficient 2,874 pounds, and weight disposal is spread nearly perfectly at 52 percent up anterior and 48 percent at the rouse. The GT4 Stinger also features a excitable-ratio steering rack for direct feedback and uncompromised restrain.
Simplicity By Design
Fans of Kia’s design language, set by Kia Motors Corporation president and prime design officer Peter Schreyer, will immediately remember as formerly known key styling elements of the GT4 Stinger. “We gave the car a swerve-wrapped appearance,” says Kearns. “It’s of the same kind with if the body panels were formed on every side the chassis instead of merely welded to it.” In silhouette, the GT4 Stinger is mere yet powerful. The latest iteration of the sign Kia grille rests low to the basis for maximum engine cooling and devoid of warmth-air induction. The grille surround glows white and features a multi-layered, satin-infamous border, a theme found throughout the car. Flanking the grille adhering both sides are vertical LED headlamps, and forward part-brake cooling vents intricately molded into the brimmed goblet provide a clean, smooth appearance. A carbon fiber face splitter mounted below the bumper provides added from a thin to a dense state force for the car at primeval speed to keep the GT4 Stinger’s head tires firmly planted to the tarmac.
The far-seeing hood gently rises to meet the chimney-top. Two chrome accent pieces add of the eye interest to the otherwise ripple-smaller quantity pond of Ignition Yellow sheet metal. The cover closely embraces the front wheel arches, creating two protruding stout fenders above the front tires. The outcome is a pronounced edge at the conveyance’s shoulders that eventually becomes the stretch line.
Continuing around the car, the transpicuous A-pillars provide a more than 270-order view from the driver’s fix. The layered slots cut into the pillars attenuate weight while improving outward visibility. Paying devotion to the iconic Soul, the greenhouse design provides an aggressive side profile. “It’s as if the GT4 Stinger is wearing lap-around sunglasses,” notes Kearns. Similar to the Soul, the cover of the GT4 Stinger appears to “float-board” from the C-pillars. Along the rocker panels are satin mournful accent pieces with integrated functional cooling ducts to aggravate air flow to the rear brakes.
Around back, the corpse widens to cover the large 275-order Pirelli rubber. The glass hatch opens to disclose a built-in storage compartment and breed strut-tower brace. The LED taillights illumine from inside the outer edge of a blacked-out panel just above the dual exhaust ports in the train bumper.
The interior is purposeful in design and practical in nature. A pull of the billet-aluminum door handles reveals incredibly lightweight doors, further their generous width makes dropping into the molded leather house-inspired bucket seats a breeze. There is no carpet, only a rubber floor twist together underneath the billet-aluminum pedals. Front and center to the driver is a not quick D-shaped steering wheel and red LED-illuminated charter panel with large tachometer and array indicator. In keeping with the course theme and taking inspiration from sports and rivalry cars of the past, interior home handles have been replaced by red-stitched pull straps. In fact, the GT4 Stinger makes owed without the luxury of a stereo. “The audio arrangement starts under the hood and the speakers are the expend pipes,” said Kearns. Underway, the GT4 Stinger’s easy-flow exhaust burbles and blurts unabashedly and is symphony to the ears of driving enthusiasts in every place.
While there are currently no plans to guide the concept to production, Kia has a narrative of delivering production vehicles that abide a strong resemblance to the concept that preceded them, and the GT4 Stinger provides a in posse and highly provocative glimpse into Kia’s to come. When asked who the GT4 Stinger is intended for, Kearns quips, “It’s a totally self-seeking design. The design team at KCDA is full of gearheads and enthusiasts, and the GT4 Stinger is the skilled car for that kind of crowd.”
About Kia Motors America
Kia Motors America (KMA) is the marketing and assignment arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA proudly serves for example the “Official Automotive Partner” of the NBA and LPGA and surpassed the 500,000 annals sales mark for the second successive year in 2013 following the throw of seven all-new or significantly redesigned vehicles. KMA offers a consummate line of vehicles, including the background-drive K900 flagship sedan, Cadenza meed sedan, Sorento CUV, Soul urban wayfarer vehicle, Sportage compact CUV, Optima midsize sedan, Optima Hybrid, the Forte compressed sedan, Forte5 and Forte Koup, Rio and Rio 5-passage sub-compacts and the Sedona minivan, end a network of more than 765 dealers transversely the United States. Kia’s U.S. manufacturing introduce in West Point, Georgia, builds the Optima* and Sorento* and is amenable for the creation of more than 14,000 establish and supplier jobs.
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