Capable though it may be from seat to steering, and despite testing it on the Nürburgring, Kia insists the Stinger GT isn't a track car. We took it to a track anyway, and things got complicated. Kia's press cars at the moment are all preproduction prototypes, and the first car they gave us suffered a power steering failure and had to be replaced. The second car, as it turns out, hadn't yet had its U.S.-spec springs and dampers installed, and it exhibited considerably more body roll and understeer on the track than the first car. As a result, Randy posted a lap time—1:28.90—that he felt wasn't representative of what the car could do. With a properly equipped car, Randy believes he could subtract a full second.

Things that didn't change on track: the car's weight and its braking performance—113 feet isn't anywhere near a record in our 60-0-mph braking test, but it only tells part of the story. Randy was continually impressed at the durability of the brakes. Throughout a very hot day, the pedal remained consistent, and the steel brakes refused to fade.

"The brakes are impressively strong, with a consistent and firm pedal feel that inspires confidence," he said. "The braking does not upset the chassis, and the pad compound can take the heat."

There will be heat, and not just from the brakes. The Stinger GT is taking on a wildly competitive segment ruled by a small in-crowd. Whether it's staring down the German triumvirate or the American holdouts, the sport sedan from the value brand has a lot to prove.

"For a first effort at a genuine sport sedan, the Stinger is quite an accomplishment," Randy said. "It clearly is set up for a comfortable ride as a priority over race car dynamics, but in the real world, this makes sense. Even more so among buyers of a big, powerful GT car."

Like no Korean car before it, the Stinger GT speaks the language of the enthusiast. Will they listen?

2018 Kia Stinger GT
BASE PRICE	$40,000 (est)
PRICE AS TESTED	$50,000 (est)
VEHICLE LAYOUT	Front-engine, RWD, 5-pass, 4-door sedan
ENGINE	3.3L/365-hp/376-lb-ft twin-turbo DOHC 24-valve V-6
TRANSMISSION	8-speed automatic
CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST)	4,005 lb (52/48%)
WHEELBASE	114.1 in
LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT	190.2 x 73.6 x 55.1 in
0-60 MPH	4.8 sec
QUARTER MILE	13.3 sec @ 106.9 mph
BRAKING, 60-0 MPH	113 ft
LATERAL ACCELERATION	0.85 g (avg)
MT FIGURE EIGHT	26.2 sec @ 0.71 g (avg)
EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON	Not Tested