The Stonic GT Line brings the sportiest elements of the brand’s designs to the fore, with a more emotive appearance, inside and out, and exclusive GT Line design features. Like other models in the Stonic line-up, the GT Line also offers scope for customisation with new two-tone exterior colour options, as well as range of mild-hybrid and non-hybrid powertrain options.
The
exterior design of the Stonic GT Line gives a sportier edge to the
car’s urban crossover appearance, inspired by Kia’s powerful GT models,
the Stinger, Ceed GT and ProCeed GT.
This manifests itself in new
front and rear bumper design for a more purposeful posture on the road.
The front bumper is enhanced by integrated LED fog lamps, three
distinct air intakes across the front of the car, and a metallic trim
along the lower edge. The tiger-nose grille also gets its own unique
design finish, while the door mirror caps are finished in black.
Furthermore, GT Line models are fitted as standard with new full LED
headlamps, creating a distinctive light signature. At the back, a more
prominent rear bumper differentiates it from other Stonic variants, with
a design mimicking dual exhausts and a rear diffuser and a GT Line
badge on the tailgate.
As with existing variants of the model,
customisation remains a key point of appeal for the Stonic GT Line.
To-date, a third of all Stonic models have featured a two-tone exterior
paint finish, and the GT Line offers the same choice to drivers.
Depending on market, buyers can choose from up to 15 two-tone colour
combinations for body and roof. The GT Line model extends these colour
options further, with colour highlights around the three front bumper
air intakes matching the contrast roof colour. All Stonic GT Line models
are fitted with 17-inch aluminium alloy wheels.
Upgrades
to the cabin of the Stonic GT Line also elevate its
performance-inspired credentials over other models in the Stonic
line-up. The most apparent modification is the adoption of carbon
fibre-effect trim on the dashboard, a finish unique to GT Line models.
The
seats are also unique to the new variant, trimmed in a combination of
black cloth and synthetic leather with piping and contrast stitching in
white. Drivers are also met with a new perforated leather D-cut steering
wheel with GT Line logo and contrast stitching, as well as a 4.2-inch
digital display between the dials in the instrument cluster.
Like
other models in the Stonic lineup, the new variant is available with
Kia’s latest ‘connected car’ and infotainment technologies. At the
centre of the dashboard is a large 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment
system with Kia’s latest ‘Phase II’ UVO Connect system, enhancing
vehicle connectivity and control.
The new infotainment system is
offered with a choice of Display Audio or optional Satellite Navigation
technologies depending on vehicle specification. In either guise, it
features Bluetooth multi-connection, enabling users to connect up to two
mobile devices at the same time - one for hands-free phone and media
use; the other for media use only. It also offers wireless Apple Carplay
and Android Auto on models equipped with the Display Audio system,
removing the need for many owners to connect their smartphone via a
cable.
Kia’s new ‘Phase II’ UVO Connect telematics features
include a range of on-board services including live traffic information,
weather forecasts, points of interest (POIs), fuel prices, and details
of potential on- and off-street parking - including price, location and
availability. Online Voice Recognition lets users search for POIs,
addresses, weather updates, or send text messages with voice commands. A
new ‘Online Navigation’ routing service uses cloud-based real-time and
historical traffic data to predict time-efficient routes more accurately
than ever before.
Users can also access the accompanying UVO
App, compatible with Android and Apple smartphones, which offers new
‘Phase II’ features such as Last Mile Navigation. This helps customers
continue navigating to their destination after they have parked and left
the car behind. It helps Kia customers navigate in towns and cities
where parking hubs are often some distance away from shops, cafés and
restaurants.
The
Stonic GT Line offers Kia’s new gasoline mild-hybrid electric vehicle
(MHEV) ‘EcoDynamics+’ powertrain. Pairing a ‘Smartstream’ 1.0-litre
T-GDi engine with a 48V MHEV system, the EcoDynamics+ powertrain
delivers greater efficiency by seamlessly deploying and recuperating
electric power. A compact 48-volt lithium-ion polymer battery
supplements the engine’s torque output with electric power, via a new
Mild-Hybrid Starter-Generator (MHSG) unit.
The MHSG is connected
by belt to the engine’s crankshaft, and switches seamlessly between
‘motor’ and ‘generator’ modes. In ‘motor’ mode, under acceleration, the
MHSG provides electric power assistance to reduce engine load and
emissions. As the car decelerates, the MHSG has the ability under
certain conditions to switch to ‘generator’ mode, recuperating energy
from the crankshaft to recharge the battery.
The new Smartstream
engine features Continuously Variable Valve Duration (CVVD) technology.
This enables the engine to switch seamlessly between different
combustion cycles depending on load, maximising efficiency in all
driving situations. The Smartstream engine produces 100 PS or 120 PS
with each engine offering a Drive Mode Select system with ‘Eco’, ‘Sport’
and ‘Normal’ modes.
The Stonic GT Line is fitted with Kia’s new
intelligent Manual Transmission (iMT) as standard, or an optional
seven-speed double-clutch transmission (7DCT). iMT is Kia’s new
‘clutch-by-wire’ system, which contributes to fuel efficiency while
retaining the driver engagement of a conventional manual transmission.
Instead of a mechanical linkage, the iMT’s clutch is actuated
electronically. It integrates seamlessly with the MHSG to switch off the
engine earlier than Kia’s Idle Stop & Go start-stop system when
coasting to a halt.
Both transmissions, iMT and 7DCT, enable
periods of engine-off ‘sailing’ to improve fuel efficiency in Eco mode.
This operates at speeds of up to 125 km/h, and the engine reactivates
when the driver pushes the accelerator, brake or clutch pedals.
As
well as EcoDynamics+ models, the Stonic GT Line is also offered a
non-hybrid Smartstream 1.0-litre T-GDi engine, producing 100 PS and
paired with a choice of 6-speed manual transmission or 7DCT.
Production of the Stonic GT Line commences in October at Kia’s Sohari production facility in Korea. European sales start during the final quarter of 2020 and all models will offer buyers Kia’s unique 7-year, 150,000 km warranty.
