Kia was caught testing the facelifted
Stinger on European roads for the first time, with the test car covered with
heavy camouflage. Usually this sort of disguise indicates that the carmaker is
planning some big styling changes but this isn’t expected with the facelifted
Kia Stinger. Instead, the aggressive five-door model is expected to be
freshened up in the usual areas, including new light graphics, different
bumpers, new wheel designs, and probably a few new color options.
The biggest update is expected to take
place inside the cabin, with the facelifted Kia Stinger to receive a healthy
dose of the Hyundai Group’s latest infotainment technologies. Expect a wider
and crisper touchscreen display for the new infotainment, as well as a digital
instrument cluster option.
Other changes inside the facelifted Kia
Stinger will include a redesigned center console and the addition of new trim
and upholstery options. Just like the facelifted Genesis G70, the updated Kia
Stinger is expected to replace its existing 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder unit
in the base trim with Hyundai’s new and more powerful 2.5-liter turbo engine.
The new 2.5-liter four-cylinder unit can be found in models like the Hyundai
Sonata N-Line, producing 290 HP and 420 Nm of torque instead of the
2.0-liter’s 255 HP and 353 Nm.
As for the range-topping 3.3-liter
twin-turbo V6 engine, the latest reports suggest that it will be slightly
updated to offer more performance than the current 365 HP and 510
Nm it makes. The facelifted Kia Stinger is expected to debut sometime in 2021
and if you choose to believe the rumors, it will be our last chance to get one
as the Korean automaker doesn’t plan a successor due to slow sales.
