The first Kia Stinger models, including the flagship V6-engined GT Sport, have arrived in New Zealand.
The five-door liftback-styled models have been sighted on the back of transporters leaving Auckland wharves, and there have been on-the-road pictures on social media.
A Kia New Zealand spokesman said a launch date had yet to be set, but it will be in showrooms around the country before the end of the year.
There will be three models available, including the twin-turbo V6 GT Sport, which will sell for $69,990 plus on road costs.
With 272kW of peak power and 510Nm of torque from a 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6, the flagship model will do 0-100km/h in 5 seconds.
The two other models will be powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine developing 193kW peak power and 353Nm of torque that also drives through the rear wheels, and can propel the car to 100km/h in 6 seconds.
These models will 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.
Examples of all three models have been seen arriving in Auckland.
Kia New Zealand says all models have a new 8-speed automatic transmission with sports settings, and quad exhausts.
It's expected the Stinger will be offered in a range of colours incuding Hichroma Red, Sunset Yellow and Deep Chroma Blue.
The company is promising a car with the X-factor, and overseas reviews suggest the car can deliver on the hype.
The Stinger's ride and handling characteristics have been honed during testing at Germany's Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit, as well as multiple prototypes, which have completed over 1.1 million kilometres of testing around the world.
The general manager of Kia New Zealand, Todd McDonald, says the new models have the power to surprise, not least through its rear-wheel-drive architecture, which would stamp it as a true driver's car.
The three Stinger models would include leather interior, paddle shift gear changes, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Smart Cruise Control, LED headlights and much more.
With the demise of the Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon, the Stinger represents the Korean manufacturers best chance at capturing the Australasian market with a rear-wheel drive layout that has been popular for decades.
-Driven