Kia: "Killed in Action" Now Refers to the Car Staring At That Rear Badge

"Wobbles the Mind" (wobblesthemind)
05/23/2018 at 00:22 • Filed to: Kia Stinger

More customer Stinger GTs are showing up running 12.6s and 12.7s now. I noticed back when Oz got their Stingers that the RWD GTs with the LSD were putting down 350+ hp / 385 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels and doing the sub-13 sec quarters. There were some updates to the 3.3t Lambda a few months after the Stinger came out and, even though the ratings didn’t change, I think that the updates actually bumped the Lambda up to the originally promised 395 hp / 393.5 lb-ft of torque from the GT Concept car.

And not all of those gains are from a cat back.

Below is the first time I have seen an AWD Stinger running a sub-13 second quarter mile, let alone a 12.7.

This next video is the same Stinger but with a bad launch causing it to run a 13.3.

And another video of Stinger seemingly putting that full 365 hp to the tires.

I’ve been casually investigating why there is such a wide difference in power on Stinger GT models globally. There is at least a 30 hp / 13 lb-ft gap in stock V6 cars. I genuinely think that the RWD GTs with the LSD got the updated intercooler, ignition, injection, chambers, heads, manifolds, and sodium-filled so on and so forth and now those updates are making their way into more GT trims levels.

I’m serious, I think there is a nearly 10% difference in output between the debut 3.3t and the updated 3.3t. Sounds crazy but I think that the 2019 model year cars with the 3.3t are more powerful (especially at the wheels) than the 2018 cars. I’m including places that got the G70 for 2018 instead of 2019 as well.

Some people simply were fortunate to go for the RWD, LSD Stinger GTs. Those will end up being the 11.9 second cars you will see in another year or two after bolt ons and a chip.

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DISCUSSION (8)

MrDakka > Wobbles the Mind
05/23/2018 at 00:29

Wondering how the G70's will fare with the same engine and lighter platform

BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo > Wobbles the Mind
05/23/2018 at 00:30

I’d be impressed if I fit in them.

jkm7680 > Wobbles the Mind
05/23/2018 at 00:44

More like sephia because Kia

Wobbles the Mind > jkm7680
05/23/2018 at 06:13

Sephia is a pretty name!

Wobbles the Mind > MrDakka
05/23/2018 at 06:22

Same. There is a two door sportscar coming at the end of the decade but Hyundai hasnt figured out the branding on it. But there is a sportscar coming.

Wobbles the Mind > BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo
05/23/2018 at 06:40

Truth! I want something between the size of the Stinger and G80 (the gap is huge right now).

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > Wobbles the Mind
05/23/2018 at 09:25

High octane fuel might explain it.

Discerning > Wobbles the Mind
05/23/2018 at 09:31

Not surprised. I’ll be curious to see if they end up with a decent aftermarket.

The B58 in the F30 and the VR30 in the Q50/60 have shown to have significant potential with minimal mods. People are regularly making over 400whp and running some impressive times.

Should be interesting to see if the 3.3T encounters the same thing.