Have You Ever Been Told To Floor It? I Was and It Was Glorious #StingerExperience

I’ve always enjoyed fast cars. I’ve also always enjoyed pushing a car to the limit when I’m able to do so legally, because tickets aren’t my jam, and neither are accidents. My grandfather was not shy in letting his grandchildren experience time behind the wheel, roaring with laughter when we actually felt the power of an engine for the first time. When I registered for the Stinger Experience this past Friday, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I knew from my brief time behind the wheel at the Chicago Auto Show, that I should be prepared to be floored. While most content that I post on Kia is from a media standpoint – I was ALL consumer this time, and it was nice to have an afternoon of play.

From the moment you sit in the driver’s seat of the Kia Stinger, you’re enveloped in a hug. I’m not kidding. The seat has side bolsters, and you can adjust it to cuddle you – if you’re into that sort of thing. I’m into side and back support, and feeling comfortable in a car that is supposed to exhilarate me, just in case you were curious. The ease in which my short legs reached the pedals, and I became one with the car – sigh – it’s a dream. To know that I could also realistically own this fully loaded car makes me even happier.

In case you think I’m speaking out of the side of my neck, I also had my choice of three competitor cars to test before getting into one of three Kia Stingers, and I chose the BMW 640i as my competition. It felt good y’all, but the interior felt cluttered to me. I like for my dashboard to be clean. I don’t need a bunch of buttons and knobs to fiddle with. The dash of the Stinger is of a minimalist nature, and every button that I need is actually on my steering wheel, at the 9 and 3 o’clock locations, so the only appendage I have to use is my thumb. Neat, right? 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhP2nboBKX4/?taken-by=natashanicholes

Before starting the experience, we were given background information on the car, it’s creation and creators, and the beautiful country in which it was born. Designed by Peter Schreyer and Gregory Guillaume (Kia’s Chief Designer) at Kia’s European studio in Frankfurt and engineered by former BMW M Vice President of Engineering Albert Biermann, the car was unveiled at the 2017 North American International Auto Show. I remember seeing it last year at the Chicago Auto Show and being absolutely floored. You’ll remember that my first time driving a Kia automobile was when I was loaned an Optima and my love affair was started. After checking out the red Stinger on the floor of the 2017 Chicago Auto Show, I knew that I should be paying more attention to the brand than I had been, and here I am now. Easing my way into the love of competitive car driving, and honestly considering purchasing a sports car before my children have officially moved out of the house. That’s how much the car impresses me. 

I can only imagine the conversations that my paternal grandfather and I would have had while looking at this. I don’t know everything about engines, but I did know what a rear differential was, and how it relates to the drivetrain. My grandfather (Grandpapa) would have explained what all of the hoses do, and why it’s good for this particular car. It was one of the reasons I loved hanging out in his garage. I always felt a bit more knowledgeable about things that weren’t supposed to be for girls after an afternoon hanging under hoods. 

The Kia Stinger Experience still has one stop to go the last weekend of April, and it will be taking place in Phoenix Arizona, and all of you folks who are close to that area can have your own race car experience with trained drivers. Don’t worry, they don’t just throw you in there without any training. You’ll get a walk-around of the car, and even drive the competition so you can make an informed decision. It’s so much fun, and admirable that a car company is willing to showcase their competition because of their belief in their product. 

My Kia adventures aren’t stopping though. Next month, we’ll be hanging out at Mom 2.0 in Pasadena, California, where Kia is a title sponsor! They’ll be providing rides from the airport, and fun things for Mom 2.0 attendees to do. Make sure to follow me on Instagram to see the fun we have there. Maybe I’ll get another go in the Stinger! 

If you’re interested in how much this amazing car runs, here you go. Affordable AND sleek! Are you kidding me? 

Offered in five trim levels – Stinger, Stinger Premium, GT, GT1, and GT2:

• Stinger starts at $31,900
• Stinger Premium starts at $37,100
• GT starts at $38,350
• GT1 starts at $43,250
• GT2 starts at $49,200
• All-wheel drive:  $2,200
• Destination: $900