---
title: "The Kia Stinger Looks Even Sweeter Without a Roof"
description: "A Florida dealer commissioned this car, and more might be on the way."
date: "2021-03-18"
modified: "2021-03-18"
authors:
  - name: "James Gilboy"
    job_title: "Contributing Writer"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/james-gilboy"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/39798/the-kia-stinger-looks-even-sweeter-without-a-roof"
categories:
  - "Kia News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "Hatchback"
  - "Kia"
  - "sports car"
  - "Stinger"
---

# The Kia Stinger Looks Even Sweeter Without a Roof

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2021/03/image00011.jpeg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

The one thing nobody has ever thought of while behind the wheel of [the newly powered-up Kia Stinger GT](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/39793/2022-kia-stinger-more-power-standard-and-bigger-screens-mean-serious-upgrades>) is probably, "eh, this needs its roof hacked off." But necessity evidently isn't the only mother of invention, as a Florida Kia dealership recently commissioned a prototype of Kia's sports sedan Sawzalled up just so, and unlike many soft-top conversions, it actually looks damned good.

Christened the Stinger GT-C by Orlando-area dealer [City Kia](<https://www.citykia.com/>), this conceptual convertible debuted Monday at a local car show to significant fanfare and [warm reception on social media](<https://old.reddit.com/r/cars/comments/m5d9u7/kia_stinger_convertible_dealer_option/>). To create the car, City Kia shipped a 2020 Stinger GT2 off to Jeff Moran of Drop Top Customs, a property of Convertible Builders LLC which has been lauded for [its Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack ragtops](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/29276/custom-2019-dodge-challenger-r-t-scat-pack-convertible-is-a-droptop-dream-for-64k>).

![message-editor%2F1616017039882-znqg8rm.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1616017039882-znqg8rm.jpg>)
*2020 Kia Stinger GT2 "GT-C" convertible concept, *Thomas Barnett**

With its roof buzzed off and unibody reinforced where necessary, the Stinger then underwent modest performance augmentation to both its chassis and drivetrain. Eibach lowering springs and an anti-roll kit brought 20-inch Axe forged alloys deeper into the fenders, while a Strictly Business body kit with [carbon fiber](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/39822/a-carbon-bodied-plymouth-superbird-restomod-is-underway-at-speedkore-performance>) panels kept the weight down.

Beneath that composite hood lies the Stinger GT2's 3.3-liter, twin-turbo Lambda II V6, ordinarily good for 368 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque, though in this setup it may be capable of a few more. It now inhales through dual Velossa Tech ram air intakes with AEM filters and a Mishimoto intercooler, before exhaling again down Ultimate Performance downpipes and midpipes, and out a custom cat-back exhaust. All these serve to enhance throttle response, which is further sharpened by RaceChip software tweaks.

![message-editor%2F1616017111640-image00008.jpeg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1616017111640-image00008.jpeg>)
*2020 Kia Stinger GT2 , *The Aaron Vaccar Company for City Kia**

![message-editor%2F1616017127162-image00001.jpeg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1616017127162-image00001.jpeg>)
*2020 Kia Stinger GT2 , *The Aaron Vaccar Company for City Kia**

![message-editor%2F1616017141025-j1w9oum.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1616017141025-j1w9oum.jpg>)
*2020 Kia Stinger GT2 , *Thomas Barnett**

Contrary to a City Kia [Instagram post](<https://www.instagram.com/p/CMatlAABDh6/?utm_source=ig_embed>), a project spokesperson emphasized that the Stinger GT-C remains only a concept car for now and that no production run—intact warranty or not—has been confirmed. They did, however, tell *The Drive* "there's real-world testing to do," suggesting that production cars are at least a possibility. And if you're keen for possibility to become probability, it'd be worth making a ruckus on City Kia's social media and giving [the Stinger GT-C's official website](<https://stingergtc.com>) a click.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CMatlAABDh6

*Got a tip or question for the author? You can reach them here: james@thedrive.com*

## Author
James is a former staff writer for The Drive. He has changed the conversation around electrification, debunked misinformation online, and become a prominent hunter of what he calls "automotive cryptids."

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/jamesgilboy>)