When it comes to test tracks, none are as well-known as the Nürburgring Nordscheife and Scott Evans from MotorTrend had the chance to race around this track for the first time in a 2018 Kia Stinger GT.
Instructed to follow the lead vehicle driven by a Belgian pro racer, Evans managed to keep up in a car he has never driven before and on an unfamiliar track, showing us just how easy it is to drive the Stinger GT quickly. Its 3,800 pound, rear-wheel-drive felt planted around the track with plenty of grip to give its driver a feeling of composure and confidence.
Adjustable dampers in Sport setting helped control the body motions so that the Stinger GT would lean into the outside tires instead of flopping onto them, though the test vehicle was equipped with a set of stiffer European-spec dampers. It may be a bit heavier than rival cars, but the Stinger GT certainly knows how to shift its weight and absorb mid-corner bumps.
As for steering, Evans calls it the best Kia has ever produced even if information from the front tires are slightly muted. At least the steering never gets too heavy and road feedback is not diminished in any way.
Keeping the Stinger GT under control are rear wheels that stays planted no matter what you throw at them, Brembo brakes, traction and stability control, the mechanical limited-slip differential, etc. Even with almost no cooldown after five laps, the brakes never once faded.
Though Evans was invited to test drive the Stinger GT on track, Kia is actually promoting the Stinger and Stinger GT as high-performance grand touring cars. A point driven home by its standard in-house eight-speed automatic transmission, which will automatically upshift at redline.
The twin-turbo V-6 Stinger GT has much to offer on and off track for just under $40,000 and those who decide to opt for turbocharged four-cylinder Stinger can expect to see an affordable MSRP of around $30,000.