by Kia plans a new Stinger, but not anytime soon
Although the Kia Stinger never achieved the sales volumes the manufacturer had hoped for, it created something more valuable than quantity — a small but loyal audience that still awaits a successor. The company intends to produce another sporty sedan in the spirit of the Stinger, but this time it will be electric and likely based on the Vision Meta Turismo concept.
Why the EV6 GT wasn’t a replacement
The EV6 GT was expected to fill this gap, but it didn’t happen. The crossover silhouette and electric powertrain failed to resonate with enthusiasts who were drawn to the Stinger. Moreover, the price of the EV6 GT significantly exceeded that of its predecessor. Design chief Karim Habib believes that over time, high-performance electric vehicles will become more affordable, allowing the Meta Turismo to enter production as a true Stinger replacement.
“We have a small history of making cars like the Stinger, and we don’t want to give that up,” Habib told Autocar. “The Meta Turismo is our vision of a sports sedan for the gamer generation. A few years ago, we started thinking about what else we could do besides SUVs. We produce and sell a lot of SUVs, that’s fine, but we believe there are other directions.”
A concept waiting for its time
Kia unveiled the striking concept late last year as the next evolution of the Opposites United design language. Like most of Kia’s recent show cars, it looks dramatic and emotional, but it is not yet ready for mass production.
Technology needs to evolve
“Right now, it’s more of a strategic question,” Karim explained when asked by Autocar why Kia isn’t starting production now. “It’s a pure electric vehicle, and the cost of creating a high-performance EV is holding us back. I hope the EV market continues to grow. I think there will be more openness to these types of cars. At least, that’s what we’re counting on.”
The Stinger legacy and new values
Kia produced the Stinger for only five and a half years, ending production in 2023. The model was offered with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6, and after the facelift, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. A diesel version was also available in some markets. Although enthusiasts hope the successor will retain the magic of the internal combustion engine, this is unlikely.
“We are car enthusiasts,” said Kia’s head of interior design, Jochen Paesen. “We grew up on the sidelines of racetracks, listening to the sound of a V8, but the younger generation isn’t as excited by that. It doesn’t stir emotions in them. It stirred emotions in us, but we live in a different era. That’s why it’s important to understand what excites young people and what interests them.”
Thus, Kia is not abandoning the idea of a sports sedan, but the new Stinger will likely be an electric vehicle aimed at a new generation of drivers for whom engine sound is not the main factor. The company is waiting for the technology and prices of high-performance EVs to reach a level that makes such a model mass-market and affordable. For now, fans will have to be patient, as the production version of the Meta Turismo will not appear for at least a few more years. This suggests that Kia is taking a cautious approach to electrifying its sporting legacy, preferring strategic waiting over the hasty release of an expensive niche product.
