New 2021 Kia Stinger GT S: UK prices and specifications revealed
The updated V6-only Kia Stinger coupe offers buyers a cut-price alternative to the Audi S5 Sportback
The Kia Stinger sports saloon has been refreshed for 2021, with the Korean brand’s alternative to the Audi S5 Sportback and BMW M340i gaining design revisions inside and out, an improved infotainment system and upgraded driver assist tech.
Available to order now priced at £42,595, the Stinger GT S is £1,450 more expensive than it was before the updates, but that still makes it cheaper than both the S5 and the M340i which, even before options, each cost roughly £10,000 more. Kia has not announced a broader line-up, with the six-cylinder GT S model the only Stinger on sale.
The Stinger’s exterior design changes are subtle; the front is near-identical to the old car, while the alteration to the coupe-like flanks come courtesy of a new design of 19-inch alloy wheels. The most obvious differences come at the back, where a full-width illuminated bar joins together tail light clusters with revised LED graphics. A new colour, called Electric Blue, is added to the paint palette.
Inside, Kia’s four-door grand tourer gets the brand’s newest infotainment setup. The new 10.25-inch widescreen display sits on top of the dash in place of the previous eight-inch unit; its sharper graphics allowing for a split-screen homepage that Kia says makes it quicker and easier to use. Kia’s connected services means the system can now relay the latest traffic, speed camera and weather information too.
As before, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and it’s now possible for two smartphones to be paired via Bluetooth simultaneously. Wireless charging is also equipped, as is a 15-speaker harman/Kardon audio system. Another tech upgrade can be found ahead of the driver, where a new seven-inch colour display sits between the existing analogue dials. This, says Kia, works with the head-up display to provide clearer driving and navigation information.
Beyond the infotainment changes, the Stinger’s cabin benefits from subtle trim changes. These include extra metallic trim on the steering wheel and around the instrument cluster, a frameless rear view mirror and a 64-colour ambient lighting system.
The generous standard tech list continues with a 360-degree parking camera, a powered tailgate, and the Remote Engine Start system, which allows owners to start their car from the outside using the smart key.
The Stinger’s previous suite of safety systems has been carried over with additional features. The blind spot monitoring system can now relay images from mirror-mounted widescreen cameras into that new display between the dials, giving drivers a greater view of what’s behind when making lane changes. Should the driver still miss traffic, the Stinger can now apply individual brakes to steer the car away from danger
A new traffic sign-based speed limit assist system, a lane keep assist that can better detect road and lane edges, and a forward collision warning system that can detect traffic, pedestrians and cyclists from a greater distance than before all arrive.
These features are also joined by semi-autonomous driver assistance tech which can follow bends in the road, maintain speed and distance from other traffic, and can adjust speed when approaching tighter corners.
Previous four cylinder petrol and diesel options were dropped before the updates, so the 2021 model is only available with a 3.3-litre twin turbocharged V6 petrol engine. Vital stats stand at 361bhp and 510Nm, allowing the Stinger to accelerate from 0-60mph in 4.7 seconds on its way to a 167mph top speed. Official fuel consumption is 28mpg, and CO2 emissions are 229g/km.
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