Three Kia Stinger liftback models go on sale here before the end of the year, priced from just under $55,000 to almost $70,000 for the high-spec twin-turbo V6 flagship GT Sport variant.
Kia New Zealand has begun a teaser advertising campaign for the much anticipated sporty rear-wheel-drive sedans, which the company says will lift the company into a different league.
"This is a car with the X-factor," said the general manager of Kia Motors NZ, Todd McDonald.
While a definite launch date has yet to be decided, the company hopes to have the new models available before the end of the year.
Kia says the Stinger will provide the power and rear-wheel-drive attributes that had become scarce with the imminent demise of the Australian-manufactured Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon.
With 365hp (272kW) of peak power and 510Nm of torque available from the twin-turbocharged V6 engine in the GT Sport model, it can reach zero to 100km/h in less than 5 seconds.
Todd McDonald said the five-door liftback styling had the power to turn heads, benefitting from the design prowess of Kia Motors’ Chief Designer, Peter Schreyer and his team.
“You haven’t seen a Kia like this before. Stinger has the power to surprise in any number of ways, not least through its rear-wheel-drive architecture, which will stamp it as a true driver’s car,” he said.
The V6 model would go on sale at $69,990 plus on road costs.
The two other models would be powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine developing 193kW peak power and 353Nm of torque that also drives through the rear wheels and would propel the car to 100km/h in 6 seconds. These would have recommended retail prices of $54,990 plus on road costs for the EX Turbo, and $59,990 plus on-road costs for the GT Line.
All models have a new 8-speed automatic transmission with sports settings, and Quad exhausts.
Mr McDonald said each version of the Stinger would be well equipped, including leather interior, paddle shift gear changes, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Smart Cruise Control, LED headlights and much more.
Mr McDonald said Kia would announce further details soon.