Kia Stinger GTS for 2020 gets Dynamic AWD with drift mode!

KUALA LUMPUR: At this year's New York International Auto Show, Kia unveiled the 2020 Stinger GTS. Production of this limited edition model will be restricted to just 800 units, and while it certainly looks sportier than the standard Stinger, it has upgrades that are more than skin deep.

The biggest change to the GTS is the addition of a new dynamic all-wheel drive system (D-AWD). This system has been specifically tuned to find a balance between the AWD and RWD Stinger GT. The D-AWD has a mechanical limited slip differential along with different drive modes that are geared towards the rear wheels. These drive modes are Comfort, Sport, and Drift. The Comfort mode sees 60% of the power sent to the rear wheels while in Sport mode it is 80%. In Drift mode, all the power is sent to the rear wheels, and the TCU will hold the gears without upshifting. Kia has also added a new logic control to the GTS, the system comprises of countersteering direction, slip control, revised stability control, and transmission shift pattern.

Kia has not made any changes under the hood, the same engine and transmission found in the GT model are used in the GTS. This means the same 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 mill churning out 365 bhp at 6,000 rpm and 510 Nm of torque between 1,300-4,500 rpm. The engine is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission, and 0-100 kmph comes up in 4.9 seconds.

On the outside, the GTS has a new ‘Federation’ orange paint scheme, and real carbon fibre is used for various components (mirror caps, grille outline, and side vents). A new GTS emblem is found on the rear while the Kia badge is replaced by a Stinger one. Step inside the Kia Stinger GTS and what you find is the steering wheel, and centre console wrapped on Alcantara and the headliner is replaced with a premium suede-like Chamude. Other interior goodies include Clari-Fi signal enhancing technology, Qi wireless charging, sunroof, and a 720-watt Harman Kardon premium audio system with QuantumLogic.

The Stinger GTS should be a blast to drive, especially in the Drift mode, and provides excellent value for what it offers. In the US the 2020 GTS is expected to start from US$44,000 (RM182k) for the RWD and US$46,500 (RM192k) for the D-AWD model. No information as to when and if the GTS will make it to Malaysia.