Kia Stinger Facelift, First Details

[Kia Stinger]

The Kia Stinger has shown to the world that they can make sport luxury sedan and has brought new clients to the brand but its been 2 years since the Stinger came out, can they keep the momentum?

An article from AutoPostKorea is talking about some new changes to the Kia Stinger Facelift will be adding.

Kia has launched the 2020 Stinger back in May and this will be its third year since the Stinger came out for production so that means its soon to receive a facelift. Reports says we should expect the facelift around July next year.

On July Kia posted their sales for the month of July and the Stinger its slowly decreasing its sales compare to last year 1,506, 2019 sales went down to 1,092. Year to date sales for 2019 we have 8, 013 but 2018 sales were as high as 10,114. Read more...

 

[Sabs]

I've seen this article and thought it sounded like speculation... but I found the source article it refers to. Their info on the K5 (Optima) and Mojave seems to line up with what I've read elsewhere, so perhaps the info is accurate - hard to say as I don't know anything about the source website.

They're saying July 2020 for the Korean market, which would probably put it at late 2020 for the US as a 2021 model. Translated source article here.

 

[Hapa88]

with the 3.3 Twin-turbo, it’ll come with new features such as headlight adjustment with the turn of the steering wheel and a new driver’s bolster control system with the switch to Sport Mode (something seen at the Genesis G70).

Aren't these features already in the GT2?

 

[Manaz]

Aren't these features already in the GT2?

That's exactly what I was thinking when I read this.

I'd call the article speculation and conjecture, but I don't think it's even that good or interesting. I've heard more interesting stuff elsewhere, like a potential upgrade to a 3.5L twin turbo engine for the current 3.3L models, etc, and there was a thread here which featured a potential new nose for the car - cosmetic changes often do occur at the mid-life update.

 

[AV8R]

So whats the facelift? Story is a teaser?

 

[Revvdmedia]

That's exactly what I was thinking when I read this.

I'd call the article speculation and conjecture, but I don't think it's even that good or interesting. I've heard more interesting stuff elsewhere, like a potential upgrade to a 3.5L twin turbo engine for the current 3.3L models, etc, and there was a thread here which featured a potential new nose for the car - cosmetic changes often do occur at the mid-life update.

I don't foresee much chance of a change in engine displacement. Pretty much all of Kia's competitors are right around the same HP number so unless a sportier spec were to come out, I don't see any competitive reason for Kia to increase the power numbers. If Kia wanted to boost the power numbers 15-20HP (or more), it could simply be tuned into the engine programming and then give the car a different trim/engine code and call it "special."

 

[CKeeler]

That's exactly what I was thinking when I read this.

I'd call the article speculation and conjecture, but I don't think it's even that good or interesting. I've heard more interesting stuff elsewhere, like a potential upgrade to a 3.5L twin turbo engine for the current 3.3L models, etc, and there was a thread here which featured a potential new nose for the car - cosmetic changes often do occur at the mid-life update.

That’s exactly what I was reading recently about increase in displacement. But considering the industry trend of downsizing displacement, it didn’t seem to make sense. And @Revvdmedia is right. If Kia wanted to add 20-25 hp, it’s just a small modification of the factory tune.

 

[Manaz]

I don't foresee much chance of a change in engine displacement.

I'm sure I've read that the next iteration of the T-GDi Lambda II engine will be 3.5L. Of course, I can't find that info at present.

 

[Revvdmedia]

I'm sure I've read that the next iteration of the T-GDi Lambda II engine will be 3.5L. Of course, I can't find that info at present.

I don't doubt there being potential, but from a business standpoint, I don't see any purpose making the change in the current generation of vehicles equipped with the 3.3. Next generation, sure. Higher spec car, of course. I just think the Stinger doesn't need it yet. Stinger GT-R? Maybe...lol. Stinger coupe, I could potentially be all over that (if they did it right).

 

[Manaz]

I don't doubt there being potential, but from a business standpoint, I don't see any purpose making the change in the current generation of vehicles equipped with the 3.3. Next generation, sure. Higher spec car, of course. I just think the Stinger doesn't need it yet. Stinger GT-R? Maybe...lol. Stinger coupe, I could potentially be all over that (if they did it right).

I doubt they will continue to produce the 3.3L and 3.5L at the same time. There is already talk of the Genesis G70 and potentially G80 picking up this new engine.

The 2.0L turbo is also slated to be replaced with a 2.5L turbo at some stage soon. Mid-life update is a perfect time to do this.

 

[Sabs]

Aren't these features already in the GT2?

There's two parts of the article - talk about new 2020 features for the Korean market, and talk of a 2021 facelift. Dynamic headlights weren't in the Korean Stinger, but are being added for 2020. As far as I know, side bolstering is not adjusted by changing to sport mode on any current Stinger.

There's no mention of features for the 2021 model - simply a time estimate (July 2020) and that some kind of changes will be happening.

 

[Ty Davis]

I don't doubt there being potential, but from a business standpoint, I don't see any purpose making the change in the current generation of vehicles equipped with the 3.3. Next generation, sure. Higher spec car, of course. I just think the Stinger doesn't need it yet. Stinger GT-R? Maybe...lol. Stinger coupe, I could potentially be all over that (if they did it right).

Agreed, the Stinger doesn’t really “need” more power.
However, there may be a business/financial case for a new engine if it is more emissions friendly and fuel efficient.
Hyundai/Kia/Genesis would benefit greatly in regulatory credits and points if the new engine was more efficient.

Many a GT owner would be appreciative of better mpg too.
That being said, this post mentions a larger engine, so I don’t know if it will necessarily be more efficient than the current 3.3

Off topic (kinda) but, I’d love to see a 10-speed automatic debut in the next gen Stinger.

 

[eflyguy]

If they released a more powerful version (GT-R, 500hp/tq stock), I'd almost certainly buy out my GT2 lease and trade against that.

 

[NS_Stinger]

Agreed, the Stinger doesn’t really “need” more power.
However, there may be a business/financial case for a new engine if it is more emissions friendly and fuel efficient.
Hyundai/Kia/Genesis would benefit greatly in regulatory credits and points if the new engine was more efficient.

Many a GT owner would be appreciative of better mpg too.
That being said, this post mentions a larger engine, so I don’t know if it will necessarily be more efficient than the current 3.3

Off topic (kinda) but, I’d love to see a 10-speed automatic debut in the next gen Stinger.

I'd prefer a DSG with 7 or 8 gears and a proper launch control over a 10 speed automatic. A DSG would take this car to the next level, the engine is already terrific, it's mostly the transmission holding it back.

 

[Manaz]

DSGs have their own issues - not just in the terms that it's easy to make shit ones (Ford, VW), but also just by their nature, they can be a bit grabby at low rpm in stop/start traffic for example, and that may not be the feel that Kia are looking for in a GT car.

What specific problems do you have with the auto?

 

[AV8R]

Electric?

 

[NS_Stinger]

DSGs have their own issues - not just in the terms that it's easy to make shit ones (Ford, VW), but also just by their nature, they can be a bit grabby at low rpm in stop/start traffic for example, and that may not be the feel that Kia are looking for in a GT car.

What specific problems do you have with the auto?

I don't have a specific problem with the auto, my reply was to a poster who said that a 10spd would be a good move and I disagree. I'm just saying that if they want to take the car to the next level of performance a DSG is a great way to do it. It's pretty amazing how much a proper DSG will shave off acceleration times.

 

[Hapa88]

As far as I know, side bolstering is not adjusted by changing to sport mode on any current Stinger.

There's no mention of features for the 2021 model - simply a time estimate (July 2020) and that some kind of changes will be happening.

But the GT2 has adjustable side bolstering. So the only thing they'd add is a automatically seat adjustment memory recall when you switch to Sport. Doesn't sound too hard.

 

[Sabs]

Right, that’s what i’m talking about. It’s on the G70 and will be a new feature for Korean Stingers - we’ll have to wait and see if the auto adjustment in Sport mode makes it to US models for 2020. Not a big change, but a new feature nonetheless.

I think Kia will add features each year - if for no other reason than to get free press detailing changes. When a model goes unchanged it doesn’t warrant a news article being written.

 

[AdamNZ]

Automatically tightening bolsters are also included in Australian and New Zealand MY20 Stingers. As this feature doesn't add any new hardware or have any regulatory implications, I imagine it will be rolled out worldwide.