The End of an Era: A Farewell to the Kia Stinger GT with the Goodbye Edition
The Kia Stinger GT. Even the name evokes a certain rebellious spirit. When it burst onto the scene in 2017, it wasn’t just another sedan; it was a statement. A statement that Kia could play in the big leagues, challenging the established German marques with a blend of performance, style, and value that was hard to ignore. Now, as production winds down, Kia has bid farewell with a special "Goodbye Edition," a final, poignant tribute to a car that dared to be different.
A Swan Song Worth Singing
The Stinger GT Goodbye Edition isn’t a radical departure from the car we’ve come to know and love. Instead, it’s a carefully curated collection of enhancements that amplify the Stinger’s existing strengths and add a layer of exclusivity. Think of it as a "greatest hits" album, showcasing the best of what the Stinger GT had to offer.
Exterior Elegance with a Hint of Aggression
The Goodbye Edition retains the Stinger’s fastback silhouette, a design that still turns heads years after its debut. What sets it apart are the subtle yet impactful visual tweaks. The exterior is available in a limited palette of colors, often including exclusive matte grey or deep metallic hues that accentuate the car’s muscular lines.
Darkened exterior trim replaces the standard chrome, giving the car a more aggressive, stealthy appearance. The wheels, typically 19-inch alloys, feature a unique design specific to the Goodbye Edition, often with a dark finish that complements the overall aesthetic. Special badging, both inside and out, serves as a constant reminder of the car’s special status.
Interior Indulgence: Where Comfort Meets Performance
Stepping inside the Stinger GT Goodbye Edition is like settling into a well-tailored suit. The cabin is a blend of sporty design and luxurious materials. Leather seats, often with contrast stitching and unique quilting patterns, provide excellent support and comfort, whether you’re carving up a canyon road or cruising on the highway.
The dashboard and door panels are adorned with premium materials, such as Alcantara or suede, adding a touch of sophistication. The steering wheel, wrapped in perforated leather, feels substantial in your hands, encouraging you to grip it tightly and unleash the car’s potential.
Of course, the Goodbye Edition also comes loaded with technology. A large touchscreen infotainment system, complete with navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, is seamlessly integrated into the dashboard. A premium sound system, often from Harman Kardon, fills the cabin with rich, immersive audio.
The Heart of the Matter: Performance That Thrills
The Stinger GT Goodbye Edition is powered by the same potent 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 engine that has been the heart of the GT model since its inception. This engine produces a healthy 368 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque, enough to propel the car from 0 to 60 mph in around 4.7 seconds.
But the Stinger GT is more than just raw numbers. It’s the way the power is delivered that makes it so engaging. The engine responds instantly to throttle inputs, providing a surge of acceleration that is both addictive and exhilarating. The eight-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly and quickly, ensuring that you’re always in the right gear.
The Stinger GT’s chassis is also a key ingredient in its performance recipe. The car feels planted and stable, even when pushed hard through corners. The steering is precise and communicative, giving you a good sense of what the front wheels are doing. The brakes are strong and confidence-inspiring, allowing you to confidently scrub off speed when necessary.
Driving Dynamics: A Driver’s Car Through and Through
The Stinger GT Goodbye Edition isn’t just about straight-line speed. It’s a car that rewards drivers who appreciate the art of driving. The car’s rear-wheel-drive layout (all-wheel drive is also available) gives it a playful character, allowing you to easily kick out the rear end with a bit of throttle.
The car’s suspension is firm but not harsh, providing a good balance between comfort and control. The adaptive dampers (if equipped) can be adjusted to suit your driving style, allowing you to dial in more stiffness for spirited driving or more compliance for long highway journeys.
The Stinger GT also features a variety of driving modes that allow you to tailor the car’s performance to your preferences. Sport mode sharpens the throttle response, firms up the suspension, and reduces the amount of intervention from the electronic stability control system. Comfort mode softens the suspension and provides a more relaxed driving experience.
Living with the Legend: Practicality and Everyday Usability
Despite its performance credentials, the Stinger GT Goodbye Edition is also a surprisingly practical car. The fastback design provides ample cargo space, making it easy to haul luggage, groceries, or even sports equipment. The rear seats are spacious enough to comfortably accommodate adults, and the car is equipped with a variety of convenience features, such as heated and ventilated seats, a power liftgate, and a suite of advanced driver-assistance systems.
The Verdict: A Fitting Farewell
The Kia Stinger GT Goodbye Edition is a fitting tribute to a car that defied expectations and challenged the status quo. It’s a stylish, comfortable, and engaging car that offers a unique blend of performance and practicality. While it’s sad to see the Stinger go, the Goodbye Edition ensures that its legacy will live on.
Who is it for?
The Stinger GT Goodbye Edition is for the driving enthusiast who appreciates a car that is both fast and fun to drive. It’s for the person who wants a car that stands out from the crowd, a car that makes a statement. It’s also for the person who wants a car that is practical enough for everyday use but still capable of delivering thrills on the open road. It is for those that appreciate the underdog, and celebrate a car that was truly built for the love of driving.
Final Thoughts
The Kia Stinger GT Goodbye Edition is more than just a car; it’s a symbol of Kia’s ambition and its willingness to take risks. It’s a reminder that even mainstream brands can produce cars that are truly special. As the Stinger fades into the sunset, it leaves behind a legacy of performance, style, and value that will be remembered for years to come. It will be missed, but never forgotten.
