Kia Shocks Auto Industry With Rear-Drive GT4 Stinger Concept

Kia Motors America unveiled what it bills as its most aggressive concept car ever at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS).  Kia's rear drive GT4 Stinger design evokes American sports cars, such as the Camaro.  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.  And like the Track'ster, the GT4 Stinger's racy appeal is more than skin deep.

"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."

Powerful specs
Beneath the GT4 Stinger's hood resides a tuned version of Kia's proven 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline direct injected (T-GDI) four-cylinder engine putting out an impressive 315 horsepower.  "Our Optima racecars use the same engine and can produce more than 400 horsepower," said Kearns.  "So why not infuse our concept with the kind of power that will make people take notice?"  

Simplicity By Design
Fans of Kia's design language, set by Kia Motors Corporation president and chief design officer Peter Schreyer, will immediately recognize key styling elements of the GT4 Stinger.  "We gave the car a shrink-wrapped appearance," says Kearns. "It's as if the body panels were formed around the chassis instead of merely welded to it."  In silhouette, the GT4 Stinger is simple yet powerful. The latest iteration of the signature Kia grille rests low to the ground for maximum engine cooling and cold-air induction.  The grille surround glows white and features a multi-layered, satin-black border, a theme found throughout the car.  Flanking the grille on both sides are vertical LED headlamps, and front-brake cooling vents intricately molded into the bumper provide a clean, smooth appearance.  A carbon fiber front splitter mounted below the bumper provides added down force for the car at high speed to keep the GT4 Stinger's front tires firmly planted to the tarmac.

While there are currently no plans to bring the concept to production, Kia has a history of delivering production vehicles that bear a strong resemblance to the concept that preceded them, and the GT4 Stinger provides a possible and highly provocative glimpse into Kia's future.  When asked who the GT4 Stinger is intended for, Kearns quips, "It's a totally selfish design. The design team at KCDA is full of gearheads and enthusiasts, and the GT4 Stinger is the perfect car for that kind of crowd."