There was so much hype online around the globe about this Kia Stinger until last year.
We were prompted about this forgotten Kia when we happened to catch a re-run episode of Fifth Gear online. If you go online and do a search you will find dozens of videos praising this Korean designed car side by side with the segment leaders and top automotive reviewers from Europe and also North America have nothing but great views for the Stinger from the time it was launched until its recent facelift.
Meanwhile, sales and even product placement for the Stinger in movies, any movie, is very low and with negligible attention. We wonder why?
This was a very expensive car to develop. The Stinger was supposed to be Kia’s flagship when it was unveiled in 2017 to challenge Volkswagen Passat, BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C-Class and even the Audi A5. It was engineered to deliver and entertaining drive.
It had a cabin to rival the quality that Jaguar and even Volvo would provide. Its engineering was done to supersede Lexus and Infiniti with tough, rigorous tests done around the world.
However, after all that, it did not capture the imagination of car buyers around the world, including Malaysia due to one single fact. It was a Kia. If it had a Lexus or even an Infiniti badge on it, this Kia Stinger would have sold like Japanese ‘cream cheese puffs’.
Now there is news that a 2022 model Kia Stinger has been quietly unveiled and ready for another chance at the global automotive market.
Arriving in ASEAN soon, the 2022 Kia Stinger GT-Line may soon be seen as the most captivating Stinger. It flexes with more power to accelerate away from the traditional definition of “entry-level:”
- 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine
- 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters
- 300 horsepower and 311 lb.-ft. of torque for an estimated 0-60 mph time of 5.2 seconds
- RWD or available torque vectoring AWD
- Estimated 22/32/25 mpg (RWD); 21/29/24 mpg (AWD)
The GT twin-turbo 3.3-liter V6 continues to offer higher-performance upgrades including Brembo brakes and launch control, but hearts and pistons will pound a little harder with slightly more power on tap:
- 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters
- 368 horsepower and 376 lb.-ft. of torque for estimated 0-60 mph time of 4.7 seconds
- New electronic variable exhaust system enhances Stinger’s audible “calling card” – especially as it leaves other performance cars far behind
- RWD or available AWD with torque vectoring
- Estimated 18/25/20 mpg (RWD); 17/24/20 mpg (AWD)
