More Kia GT4 Stinger Concept details
Kia confirms six-speed manual gearbox, bespoke platform and Brembo brakes for GT4 Stinger concept
This is the latest teaser pictures of the Kia GT4 Stinger concept. The new image reveals the car from above, showing the car's vented bonnet and darkened A-pillars - a classic design cue that's supposed to recall a racing helmet and visor.
The bird's eye view also reveals that the car's rear wheelarches are flared out more widely than the fronts, making sure there's no mistaking that the Stinger is rear-wheel drive. The firm has also confirmed that the concept is painted in a colour called Ignition Yellow.
Kia has also released more juicy details ahead of its Detroit debut. We now know it will be called the GT4 Stinger and be powered by a 311bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, driving the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox. We have also learned that the Stinger will be built on its own, bespoke platform that has independent double wishbone suspension all round.
Set to debut at the Detroit Motor Show on 13 January, the GT4 Stinger has been designed at Kia's American Design Centre in California and shows a dramatic evolution of Kia's current design language. The most striking feature is a much larger floating 'Tiger Nose' grille that dominates the front end and glows white around its perimeter.
Also visible are two columns of LED strips, instead of conventional headlights, and a pair of vents in the bonnet help feed air to the turbocharged engine underneath. According to Kia's press release the concept is fitted with a carbon-fibre splitter below the front bumper to boost downforce. It's also fitted with 20-inch centre-lock alloys with carbon fibre inserts to help reduce weight.
These are shod with 275/35R20 Pirelli P-Zero tyres. The wheels cover Brembo Gran Tourismo two-piece cross-drilled brake discs clamped by four-piston calipers.
Kia is playing its cards close to its chest about the possibility of this 2+2 coupe making production, insisting its ony a styling exercise at this stage. However, Kia has never been shy about its desire to add a sports car to the line-up. Back in 2011 European CEO Paul Philpott told us: “2011 and 2012 are about establishing the brand. But for 2013 and 2014, we’re thinking about halo models that stretch the company forward.”
Kia has also confirmed that a production version of its 2011 GT concept will go on sale in 2016 - although it's still not clear whether it will use a rear or front-wheel drive layout.
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