Photo: Kia
Back when the Stinger was in development, a pre-production car was shipped to the United Kingdom for homologation. After that and a few high-profile appearances in Top Gear and The Grand Tour, the twin-turbo V6 fastback sedan was converted into the Stinger GT420.
“The what now?” Kia describes this fellow here as a one-off track car, and it sure looks like one. Save for the Alfa Romeo F1-inspired livery, this is a Stinger GT with most of the interior ripped out for lightness, a roll cage, sticky tires, and an upgraded powerplant.
Let’s start with the 3.3-liter engine, shall we? From 365 ponies and 510 Nm out of the box, the South Korean interloper leveled up to 422 horsepower and 560 Nm (413 pound-feet) thanks to high-performance spark plugs, an air filter from K&N, and Milltek Sport exhaust system.
No catalytic converters are featured, and the eight-speed transmission comes with a bigger oil cooler to withstand extended abuse on the circuit. Kia says the transmission has also been recalibrated for quicker shifts, which is a-OK with us and everyone who loves the Stinger.
Approximately 150 kilograms were shaved off in more or less obvious ways, including a saving of 22 kilograms by replacing the bog-standard battery with a Lite Blox Li-Po battery. Even the wheels, coming courtesy of OZ Racing, help with this Lotus-esque “simplify, then add lightness” philosophy.
The genius of Colin Chapman is one thing, but don’t forget the Stinger has been developed from the get-go to be a driver’s car with the comfort of an executive sedan. Albert Biermann, a man who used to be vice president of engineering at BMW M, was in charge of development. The Genesis G70 and Hyundai i30 N are two other masterpieces signed by the German engineer and his team.
Kia didn’t offer any information about a limited edition based on the Stinger GT420, nor a racing series built around this vehicle. Knowing the sister brand of Hyundai, it won’t happen anytime soon.
Let’s start with the 3.3-liter engine, shall we? From 365 ponies and 510 Nm out of the box, the South Korean interloper leveled up to 422 horsepower and 560 Nm (413 pound-feet) thanks to high-performance spark plugs, an air filter from K&N, and Milltek Sport exhaust system.
No catalytic converters are featured, and the eight-speed transmission comes with a bigger oil cooler to withstand extended abuse on the circuit. Kia says the transmission has also been recalibrated for quicker shifts, which is a-OK with us and everyone who loves the Stinger.
Approximately 150 kilograms were shaved off in more or less obvious ways, including a saving of 22 kilograms by replacing the bog-standard battery with a Lite Blox Li-Po battery. Even the wheels, coming courtesy of OZ Racing, help with this Lotus-esque “simplify, then add lightness” philosophy.
The genius of Colin Chapman is one thing, but don’t forget the Stinger has been developed from the get-go to be a driver’s car with the comfort of an executive sedan. Albert Biermann, a man who used to be vice president of engineering at BMW M, was in charge of development. The Genesis G70 and Hyundai i30 N are two other masterpieces signed by the German engineer and his team.
Kia didn’t offer any information about a limited edition based on the Stinger GT420, nor a racing series built around this vehicle. Knowing the sister brand of Hyundai, it won’t happen anytime soon.
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