Hearkening back to the glory days of purebred, affordable sports cars, Kia Motors America (KMA) unveiled an aggressive concept car earlier this year at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

 

The GT4 Stinger is Kia’s eye-­catching concept that pushes the boundaries of performance with a rear-drive 2+2 sports car that places human and machine in harmony on the road or track.

 

 

For those in the know, it comes as no surprise that the GT4 Stinger is the wild-style child of Kia’s California design team, home to its 2012 predecessor, the Track’ster concept (see May 2012 issue).

 

And, like the Track’ster, the GT4 Stinger’s racy appeal is more than skin deep.

 

Beneath the low wedge of the GT4 Stinger’s hood resides a tuned ­version of Kia’s proven 2.0L ­turbocharged gasoline direct injected (T-GDI) four-cylinder engine putting out an impressive 315 horsepower.

 

“Driving enjoyment was the ­number one priority in designing the GT4 Stinger,” said Tom Kearns, chief designer, Kia Design Center America (KDCA).

 

“It’s an authentic 2+2 sports car that can turn heads as a daily driver while also being right at home on the track. It’s about purity, ­simplicity and timelessness. The GT4 Stinger is a throwback to days when driving a car was a visceral experience that wasn’t muted by ­electronic gimmickry.”

 

The engine power is put to the ground via a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission driving the rear wheels, which are wrapped in 275/35R-20 Pirelli P-Zero ­performance tires.

 

Underpinning the GT4 Stinger’s sculpted “Ignition Yellow” body is a custom chassis with independent double wishbone suspension.

 

With a shorter wheelbase (103.1 inches) and overall length (169.7 inches) than a Forte sedan, a width (74.4 inches) greater than a Cadenza, and a swooping roofline nearly nine inches lower (49.2 inches) than a Rio ­subcompact, the GT4 Stinger cuts a menacing ­figure.

 

It tips the scales at a scant 2,874 lbs, and weight ­distribution is spread nearly perfectly at 52% up front and 48% at the rear. The GT4 Stinger also features a quick-ratio steering rack for direct feedback and uncompromised control.

Source: Kia Motors America