Following its debut in Korea last month, the facelifted Kia Stinger has now been unveiled in European specification. Kia’s fastback sedan gains the same updates in Europe, including subtle styling tweaks, an upgraded infotainment system, more safety kit and a revised 3.3-liter V6 T-GDi engine. Interestingly, the facelifted Stinger comes exclusively with the six-cylinder engine in Europe, ditching the previously-available four-cylinder petrol and diesel units.
Kia explains this decision with the fact
that the majority of European customers have chosen the 3.3-liter powertrain
during the model’s first three years on the market. In total, Kia sold around
10,000 Stingers in Europe since the model’s launch in 2017.
For the 2021 model year, the 3.3-liter
twin-turbo V6 has received four more horsepower, delivering 370 PS at
6,000 rpm and 510 Nm of torque from 1,300 to 4,500 rpm. The
facelifted Stinger is the fastest-accelerating Kia ever sold in Europe, as the
zero to 100 km/h sprint improves by 0.6 seconds to 4.9 for the AWD
model.
The Stinger will be offered with standard
AWD in left-hand drive markets, while right-hand drive markets will get it
solely with rear-wheel drive. Both variants feature an eight-speed automatic
transmission. You’ll recognize the refreshed Stinger thanks to a new design for
the ‘tiger-nose’ grille, new multifaceted reflector LED headlamps with
integrated DRLs, new LED taillights with turn signals arranged in a grid pattern,
and exclusive 19-inch alloys. Another exterior update is the introduction of a
new ‘Ascot Green’ body color.
Inside, the architecture of the cabin
remains unchanged, but Kia’s designers made subtle visual and material
enhancements for a more luxurious ambience. Changes include a metallic finish
to sections of the steering wheel, a chrome bezel around the instrument
cluster, and a frameless rearview mirror. Depending on the trim level, the 2021
Stinger features new contrast stitching on the dashboard and doors, aluminum
finish on the center console, and 64-color ambient lighting. European-spec
models are available with Nappa leather upholstery in Saturn Black or optional
Red, as well as a suede package featuring Saturn Black suede with contrasting
red stitching and red seatbelts.
The main interior upgrade is the new
10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment and navigation system, which is said to
offer improved functionality. New features include Bluetooth multi-connection,
split-screen display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration and an
improved voice control system. A 7.0-inch digital display within the instrument
cluster is also new, as is the Remote Engine start system.
