Car News

Kia Stinger begins testing… In Australia

11 Mar 2017

Isaac Bober 4

The Kia Stinger has arrived in Australia to begin local ride and handling tuning… expected to launch in September.

THE KIA STINGER was spotted by an eagle-eyed Practical Motoring reader as it schlepped its way through traffic in Sydney yesterday. Speaking to Kia Australia last night, it confirmed the Stinger had arrived Down Under to begin its local ride and handling tune.

Kia, like its sibling, Hyundai, has its local ride and handling team tweak the suspension and steering to “suit Australia’s testing roads”. A registration check revealed the Stinger has ‘restrictions’ on its registration in Australia, further confirming it is here for development work.

The Kia Stinger is expected to go on-sale in Australia towards the end of this year with suggestions September will be the month it launches. Kia Australia still hasn’t revealed pricing or the final specification, but it has confirmed the Stinger will arrive Down Under with a 3.3-litre V6 twin turbo mated to an eight-speed automatic, it’s expected to make around 270kW-plus and 510Nm of torque. There are two engines in the range, a 2.2-litre diesel engine which is expected to account for the majority of sales in Europe but is unlikely to make it here, and a 2.0-litre petrol engine making 188kW and 353Nm of torque.

The Kia Stinger arrives at just the right time with Holden set to end production of the Commodore in October this year. That means, with the Falcon gone too, there’ll be nothing to suit those Australians after a family-oriented performance car that won’t break the bank.

Speaking after the reveal of the Stinger at the Detroit Motor Show earlier this year, Kia Motors Australia Chief Operating Officer Damien Meredith said: “Those are the sort of performance figures which will give the Stinger credibility in any company and add an emotional element to the already compelling practical reasons – 7-year warranty, 7-year capped price service and 7-year roadside assist – for considering a Kia,” Mr Meredith said.

“This is a car you cannot help but be excited by. It has all the attributes to appeal to the Australian enthusiast – exciting design, a high-tech performance engine and gearbox combination and rear-wheel drive.

“The Stinger is the right car to take Kia, and the brand’s perception, to the next level in Australia. It is the type of car to add desire and excitement to Kia’s core values of style, reliability and value.”