KIA MAKES THE ULTIMATE FASHION STATEMENT IN NEW YORK WITH STAR-STUDDED STINGER RUNWAY RACING CHALLENGE
The Big Apple Got “Stung” When Trendsetting A-Listers Raced Kia’s All-New, High-Performance Fastback Stinger in a Pop-Up Demonstration of Style and Performance
NEW YORK, NY, September 13, 2017 – Yesterday, fashion designer Brandon Maxwell, supermodels Candice Swanepoel and Joan Smalls, baseball legend and CEO of A-ROD CORP, Alex Rodriguez, writer and TV host Derek Blasberg, and social media superstar Cameron Dallas, “got stung” when they met up in New York City to race one of the year’s most highly anticipated new automotive arrivals – the all-new 2018 Kia Stinger, with model Candice Swanepoel taking home bragging rights as the celebrity that “worked the runway” faster than her celebrity competition.
Penned in Germany by style geniuses Peter Schreyer and Gregory Guillaume, the neck-twisting Stinger fastback is a modern interpretation of a gran turismo, and was honed on the legendary Nürburgring circuit by Albert Biermann. As the highest performance production vehicle in Kia’s history, the Stinger GT rockets to 60 MPH in just 4.7-seconds.1
"Kia's youthful spirit and commitment to world-class quality and performance enabled the creation of the Stinger, a gorgeous, high-power, GT car available in both rear- and all-wheel-drive configurations,” said Justin Sohn, president and CEO, Kia Motors America. “The Kia that people knew just five years ago is gone, and our new image is what attracts the young, and the young at heart, in fashion, music, sports and entertainment to take part in our fast-paced runway race. We congratulate Ms. Swanepoel on her record-setting Stinger Runway Racing win."
A massive undertaking by Kia converted a slice of the Big Apple into a fully functioning race track. Timing lights, viewing platforms and VIP tents created the perfect venue to pit the competitors against each other and the clock.
"This is our first Stinger Runway Racing challenge, and we chose New York because the city reflects everything Kia and the Stinger stand for: youth, vibrancy, style, performance and quality,” said Sohn. "We are honored to have been joined by all our friends from fashion, entertainment, news, and sports for our first race in celebration of the youthful and super-handsome Stinger at our Stinger Runway Racing event in New York.”
About Kia Motors America
Headquartered in Irvine, California, Kia Motors America continues to top quality surveys and is recognized as one of the 100 Best Global Brands and 50 Best Global Green Brands by Interbrand. Kia serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA and offers a complete range of vehicles sold through a network of nearly 800 dealers in the U.S., including cars and SUVs proudly assembled in West Point, Georgia.*
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* The Sorento and Optima GDI (EX, SX & Limited and certain LX Trims only) are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.
1 Preliminary performance estimates determined by Kia for Stinger GT rear-wheel drive using Launch Control and factory-equipped with 19-inch wheels. Stinger GTs that are factory-equipped with 18-inch wheels are limited to 130 mph top speed (e.g., installation of 19-inch wheels will not increase the top speed). Actual results may vary depending on options, driving conditions, driving habits and your vehicle's condition. Verification of these results should not be attempted. Always drive safely and obey all traffic laws.