Images have surfaced online of what appears to be the first official Kia Stinger Police Car.
In June Kia confirmed that the four-door GT was being evaluated by numerous Police departments in Australia, and it appears the Queensland Police Service has put its first Stinger on the front lines.
The photos were posted on Facebook page Downshift showing a Kia Stinger in full Quensland Police livery, allegedly on its way to officially being sworn in to the force.
Across the ditch, Police have called on performance variants of the Aussie-built Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore for decades. But with local manufacturing coming to an end, departments have been looking suitable replacements.
Like the Stinger range in New Zealand, the Kia is available with two engines in Australia - a 3.3-litre twin turbo V6 and 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder.
The higher-spec 272kW 3.3-litre would provide similar performance to the outgoing V8s, capable accelerating from 0-100km/h in 4.6 seconds and a top speed of over 250km/h.
Speaking with CarAdvice, Kia communications manager Kevin Hepworth said the level of interest from authorities about using the Stinger was greater than expected, but the Stinger also met the requirements the force has put forward.
The brake package meets their requirement, the wiring meets their requirement, it can be upgraded simply without drama. Performance figures are what they want, [along with] enough boot, control – and now they have to assess if they can steer it or not,” said Hepworth.
Queensland isn't the only state looking for new wheels for the boys in blue.
Earlier this year the Victory Police Department announced they will replace their Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore V8 Highway Patrol fleet with turbo diesel BMW 5-Series sedans.
