Is it a Toyota GT-86? Is it a Subaru BRZ? Is it a bird? Is it a plane?
No, it’s the Kia GT4 Stinger.
This innovative Kia concept car, revealed back in 2014, immediately set the world abuzz with excitement. A sports coupe from Kia? People couldn’t wait for more.
The GT4 Stinger’s specs were said to rival the Mazda MX-5 and Toyota GT-86 thanks to its 2.0L turbocharged engine, lightweight build, and low projected price tag.
Kia designers took an interesting approach — perhaps even innovative in today’s market — when they designed the GT4 Stinger to embody the basics of sports cars. They added a red LED-illuminated instrument panel and racecar-inspired red pull straps in place of door handles. Kia even went so far as to not include a stereo, claiming it would bring the focus back to the road.
Unfortunately for car enthusiasts everywhere, it seems like production of the GT4 Stinger has been put on indefinite pause. In a recent interview, Kia America’s head of product planning, Orth Hendrick, claims the market is just not strong enough to justify production of a sports coupe.
While the GT4 Stinger may be put on permanent hold, Kia still plans to head in a sportier design direction with planned production of the GT concept.
You can still experience innovation at Union County Kia in Charlotte.
While you lament over possibly never getting to experience the GT4 Stinger and wait impatiently for production of the GT, you can still experience the Kia’s superior design in the 2016 Kia K900 luxury sedan.
Similarly to both the GT4 Stinger and GT models, the K900 is rear-wheel drive. While it’s certainly no sports coupe, it brings the power with a 3.8L V6 engine that boasts 311 horsepower and 293 lb.-ft. of torque.
The K900 does feature all of the luxury elements expected in a grand touring vehicle, including (but not limited to):
- Lexicon® Discrete Logic7® Surround Sound System
- Parking Assist
- Front & Rear Camera Display
- Lane Departure Warning System
While the 2016 Kia K900 differs in many ways to the GT4 Stinger, there’s no denying the high-quality experience thanks to the perfect blend of luxury and performance.
Since 1974, Union County Kia has had deep auto family roots in Charlotte, North Carolina, and proudly serves customers in and around Indian Trail and Monroe too. Contact us with any questions or to schedule a test drive of any one of the vehicles in our new and used car inventory.
Kia and Hyundai vehicles used to be hard to tell apart, but in 2003, the first joint global design chief at Hyundai and Kia, Peter Schreyer, got to work redefining each brand.
Schreyer describes Kia as sportier, more angular, and more affordable than Hyundai. With a new designer, and a new world of cars to be explored, Kia eagerly jumped on this re-branding train.
Jump forward to 2014, and Kia was ready to develop its own sporty reputation. A pleasant surprise for everyone, Kia introduced the GT4 Stinger concept car.
This new Kia sports coupe was all about getting back to the basics of sports car design.
Kia embraced its sporty design heritage with the interior of the GT4 Stinger. This coupe featured racecar-inspired red pull straps instead of door handles and an LED-illuminated instrument panel.
The exterior is simple, innovative, and stunning. A signature grille and vertical LED headlights give the face of the GT4 Stinger a distinctive look. The silhouette of the Stinger nods to the Kia Soul with aggressive curves and lines. Presented in classic “Ignition Yellow,” the GT4 Stinger is all about speed and power.
In terms of performance, the GT4 Stinger offers:
- 2.0L turbocharged engine
- 315 horsepower
- 6-speed manual transmission
With such powerful specs, the Stinger would have been a serious sports car contender.
So you may be asking “when is the GT4 Stinger coming out?” Well, unfortunately, GT4 Stinger production has been put on hold — possibly forever. Despite overwhelming desire for a sports coupe from Kia, Kia America’s head of production planning, Orth Hendrick, does not believe the market is strong enough to justify the production of a coupe.
Kia intends to stay sporty, but with a sedan instead.
While we won’t be getting a sports coupe from Kia any time soon, it has recently been announced that a different Kia concept car is actually going to production — the Kia GT. The GT is a 4-door sports sedan that perfectly blends luxury and performance.
Rumored to have a release date tentatively scheduled in 2017, the GT will offer a variety of engines like 2.0L, 2.2L, and 3.0L V6. While there are no released specs on horsepower or torque, it is safe to assume that this concept sports sedan won’t disappoint.
Every line of the Kia GT moves with an innovative energy, while every curve flows with imagination. Similarly to the GT4 Stinger, the GT features rear-wheel drive for the best possible driving experience. Kia keeps it sporty with a long wheelbase, set-back cabin position, extended bonnet, and short front overhang. Also featured in the concept design are suicide doors that add a level of sporty sophistication to the GT.
Chief Design Officer Peter Schreyer claims, “which ever way you look at it, this concept car is roaring with energy, ready for take off.”
The interior of the GT features transparent LED technology on the instrument cluster, plus fewer overall dials and switches for improved convenience. The seats appear floating, helping create a seamless flow throughout the vehicle.
Although there has been no official announcement, fans are hopeful that Kia will keep the GT at an affordable price as Kia’s are known for producing inexpensive, quality vehicles.
Kia tries its hand at a luxury sedan with the K900.
Both the GT4 Stinger and GT have rear-wheel drive in their concepts, but the 2016 K900 is the first Kia to actually deliver. While Kia hopes to become a brand known for sportscars, for now consumers will just have to enjoy the immense luxury the K900 offers.
So how does Kia define luxury with the K900?
- A foam-padded cabin for insulation
- Laminated windshield and side windows for a quiet ride
- Heated steering wheel
- Genuine wood trim accents
- Available supple Nappa leather seats
While the K900 certainly offers a plethora of luxury features it also packs a punch in the performance department. Equipped with a 3.8L V6 engine that boasts 311 horsepower and 293 lb.-ft. of torque, you can’t go wrong with this luxury four-door sedan.
Also enjoy the latest advanced car technology such as:
- Lexicon® Discrete Logic7® Surround Sound System
- Parking Assist
- Front & Rear Camera Display
- Lane Departure Warning System
No matter which Kia you choose you can be confident that was designed for you, the driver. High quality, sporty, affordable — what else could you ask for in a brand?
3 Reasons to Buy a Used Kia at Union County Kia
In its 2016 Automobile Issue, Consumer Reports ranked Kia as one of the ten best car brands. Not only did it receive a score of 75 on the road test, but it also received an above average rating on predicted reliability. Because of its outstanding reliability score, this means that not only are brand new Kias a great purchase, but a used Kia is just as smart of a decision.
Find Your Ideal Used Kia in Charlotte, NC
Consumer Reports has accredited Kias with the ability to stand the test of time. Their reliability makes them an ideal used car candidate. However, this isn’t the only reason you should browse the used Kias for sale at Union County Kia. Our large CPO inventory, America’s Best Warranty, and the Keffer Advantage seal the deal.
Browse Our Large CPO Inventory
If you’re accustomed to purchasing new cars, stepping into the waters of used car buying may seem intimidating. But don’t worry, with our large Certified Pre-Owned Kia (CPO) inventory you can rest assured you’re getting a quality car even though it didn’t just roll off the line. In order to be considered a Union County CPO Kia it must:
- Be no more than five years old
- Have fewer than 60,000 miles
- Undergo a 150-point Quality Assurance Inspection
The inspection includes checking everything from brakes to electrical components and much more. So, if you’re looking at one of our CPO used Kia Cadenzas, for example, you’ll know for certain that it’s a quality car.
Enjoy America’s Best Warranty
Just like when you buy a new Kia, your used Kia will come with America’s Best Warranty. This includes:
- 0-year / 100,000-mile CPO Limited Powertrain Warranty
- 12-month / 12,000-mile Platinum Coverage
- 24-Hour Roadside Assistance
- Towing / Rental / Travel Breakdown Coverage
- 10-year / Unlimited Mileage Roadside Assistance Plan
- Eligibility for Additional Failure Coverage
- Free CARFAXⓇ Report on vehicle history
Basically, this means all of the risks associated with buying a used car have been eliminated. While driving your used Kia Sportage or used Kia Optima down the road you won’t have to worry about what will happen if something goes wrong. Your biggest concern will be trying to decide which wax will make your new baby shine.
Benefit From the Keffer Advantage
We want to look after you and your car throughout the lifetime of your used Kia. As a part of the Keffer Auto Group, Union County Kia offers the Keffer Advantage which provides a 3,000 mile / 3-month warranty for our used cars and a 30 minute or fewer maintenance promise in addition to America’s Best Warranty.
You don’t stop being our customer once you drive off our lot with your newly purchased used Kia Soul.
Test Drive a Used Kia Today
The Keffer Auto Group has been serving customers in the Charlotte, NC area since 1974. Through our years of experience, we’ve created a space for you to comfortably and conveniently shop for a used Kia.
We like to offer savings to our customers, and frequently run specials on our used Kia inventory. Take a look online at our used Kias for sale, and then come out to see us. We look forward to taking you on a test drive.
Experience the New Kia Niro Hybrid Crossover
Kia has recently announced plans to roll out its brand-new hybrid crossover utility vehicle — Niro — for its 2017 model lineup. The Niro is ideal for drivers seeking both quality engineering and an ecologically friendly experience. Get ready today for the market-changing Kia Niro.
New Kia Niro Hybrid Specs
Engineering the Future of Driving
Kia has long been known for its well-engineered vehicles, but the Niro brings the company’s portfolio to another echelon of automobile development. The Niro boasts Kia’s newly engineered 1.7L Kappa GDI Engine, which blends the potency of a gasoline engine with the increased torque and efficiency of an electric engine. Its method of direct injection into the combustion chamber allows for greater fuel efficiency while sacrificing virtually none of the performance power.
A Lot of Vehicle for a Little Eco-Footprint
Increasingly stringent standards on vehicular emissions have been tough for many crossovers and SUVs as they often can’t boast the MPG of smaller sedans. However, the 2017 Kia Niro has no problem exceeding the smaller MPGs of its competitors. Kia estimates that its Niro will boast a combined 50 MPG average for both city and highway driving, which translates into fewer emissions and greater savings for you.
That’s a Hybrid?
Most consumers are able to spot clunky hybrids without a problem. Their square, boxy designs sacrifice looks for utility. With the Kia Niro, designers and engineers came together to create a sleek and modern aesthetic. It boasts intelligence and luxury without sacrificing all the advantages of its hybrid gas-electric engine and ample cargo space for all of your adventures.
If you’re not looking for the size of the Kia Niro, there are other eco-friendly models available here at Union County Kia. Ask some of the friendly, helpful sales staff for assistance matching your needs with other available Kia models like the 105 MPG Soul EV or the 38 MPG Optima Hybrid, and make sure to ask when they expect the groundbreaking new Niro will hit the showroom floor.
From all-wheel drive capabilities to passenger and cargo space, there’s plenty to love about SUVs. About the only drawback people have about these vehicles is the gas mileage.
But in a Kia SUV, you can have the best of both worlds.
Kia has built a reputation for impressive fuel economies in its sedans and now that same efficiency has been carried over to its fleet of sport utility vehicles. There are several Kia SUV models and minivans that have been regularly highlighted in reviews but rarely spotted at the gas pump.
The 2016 Kia Soul sports 30 MPG on the highway and 24 MPG during city driving and is the KIA SUV with the best gas mileage. The Kia Soul saves you money long before you hit the gas pump too. With a base MSRP of just $15,900, the Soul is not only best among Kia SUV prices but is among the most affordable SUV’s on the road period.
Not to be outdone, the 2016 Kia Sportage delivers 30 MPG on the highway and 23 MPG on city streets. Even on all-wheel drive the Sportage still allows for a combined EPA of 22 MPG. The Sportage was named one of the 10 Most Affordable SUV’s of 2016 by Kelley Blue Book.
In the crossover category, the Kia Sorento pushes 28 highway MPG and 21 city MPG as yet another Kia SUV with good gas mileage. The Sorento has the safety capabilities to match its fuel economy, making it an ideal combination for family drivers.
Tagging along as Kia’s sole minivan is the Sedona, which sports fuel efficiency of 18/25 MPG city to highway. It’s also a winner of the J.D. Power APEAL Award, of which fuel economy was a factor.
The Kia Electric SUV: Next-Level Gas Mileage
What’s the most fuel efficient SUV possible? The one that requires no fuel whatsoever. The 2016 Kia Soul is also available in an electric model that has a best-in-class standard driving range of 93 miles on a full charge. And after a federal tax credit, the electric-powered Soul rings up at just $24,450.
Stop by Union County Kia in Indian Trail, NC to check out our Kia SUVs for sale and test drive one today. One place you won’t have to stop is the gas station.
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Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.