Kia has released fresh details of its refreshed Stinger, including information about a new powertrain option set to be offered in select markets.

While the Korean firm dropped the first official images of the updated fastback earlier in August, it said little about engine options. Now, however, new information on that topic has been released.

The big news is the addition of a new turbocharged 2,5-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine, which slots neatly between the existing 2,0- and 3,3-litre units. Interestingly, rumours suggest this engine will be rolled out to some Hyundai N products in the relatively near future.

Expected to be offered exclusively in North America, the facelifted Stinger's “Smartstream” 2,5-litre T-GDi engine generates 224 kW at 5 800 r/min and 422 N.m between 1 650 and 4 000 r/min.

The most powerful mill in the Stinger line-up remains the twin-turbo 3,3-litre T-GDi V6, which gains a new variable exhaust valve system (in some markets) that Kia says not only delivers a “more prominent, deeper exhaust note” in the sportier driving modes but also liberates an extra 2 kW to take the peak power output to 274 kW at 6 000 r/min. Maximum twisting force is unchanged at 510 N.m.

Finally, the entry-level turbocharged 2,0-litre, four-cylinder powerplant again produces 188 kW at 6 200 r/min and 353 N.m from 1 400 to 4 000 r/min. All three engines are mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard.

The facelifted Stinger is expected to hit the market in Korea in the third quarter of 2020, with sales in “many of Kia’s global markets” to follow later. However, Kia Motors South Africa says it has “no immediate plans to introduce the enhanced Stinger to the local market”.

Original article from Car