Another year of dealer stupidness has left them with lots of 2019s to sell off. However, unlike other vehicles, it seems like the Stinger’s come out in November. It was this way when they launched in the US in 2017 for the 2018 model year, same last year and it continues this year. The official announcement is up on kiamedia.com as of 11/26. The 2.0T GT Line is the only 4 cylinder model available this year. It would be nice if they could have bumped the the power ratings higher for that engine in the Stinger.
A little off topic. MB has an 2.0T AMG 45 with 375hp/350tq, BMW has a tweaked 2.0T in the X2 M35i producing 301hp/325tq, Volvo was getting 362hp/347 out of their Polestar tuned Super-Turbocharged 2.0T. Most manufactures were in the 280-300hp and 280-295tq range from a 2.0T in production vehicles. With engine downsizing, some folks are pushing the limits of what can be done with small displacement engines. One can only hope this new 2.5T will be a good engine and come with power rating over 300 to replace the 2.0T doing duty in the Stinger. Plus they should make sure it gets a higher tune in the Stinger than the Optima, so they don’t overlap.
2021 is when we should expect changes for the Stinger however, G/H/K seems to be having some issues tuning the 2.5T, they have pushed back the launch of Genesis G/V 80 series vehicles a couple of times already. I think the 2.5T and 3.5T is supposed to debut in those vehicles first. Hyundai’s US market Sonata is said to have the NA 2.5 as the base engine, but even that has been delayed. Based on the new tech the other mid sized vehicles are launching with, we can expect some similar stuff in the refreshed 2021 Stinger.
