Kia says NO , for a performance sub brand , GT is it !

Not surprising as Biermann doesn't want Kia to step on Hyundai's toes.

It's a niche market (while can be quite profitable) and Biermann probably feels that there isn't room for both.

Also, Genesis doesn't have any plans for a performance brand at the moment (too early), which is a major reason why the Stinger and/or K900 wouldn't see a performance variant.

That being said, the Stinger needs a more hard-core variant (even if not a full performance variant), something like a GTS or GTR spec when it comes to the suspension.
 
Hmmm, given similar components...Hyundai's parts be cross utilized on our Stinger's?
 
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I’m cool with GT versions that allows sporty driving for everyday fun. If they go up to Audi S4 level, while keeping it affordable, that’s cool. RS level is a bit much for me. They should bring something later for the hard core track folks. However, if the chassis is good enough, folks will tune it to suit their needs.
 
I’m cool with GT versions that allows sporty driving for everyday fun. If they go up to Audi S4 level, while keeping it affordable, that’s cool. RS level is a bit much for me. They should bring something later for the hard core track folks. However, if the chassis is good enough, folks will tune it to suit their needs.
I'll bet they will introduce a higher performance Stinger GT ,sport tuned suspension , better exhaust , more HP , wider tires /wheels and some body kit ....................
 
From interior to exterior to high performance - everything you need for your Stinger awaits you...
I think the branding is fine how it is. No sense in having a sub-brand under KIA for performance. Sure, it would be cool...but I can't imagine the market being large enough to offer $70,000 Stinger GT3's with a V8....while badass, it won't happen. Genesis is the sub-brand under Hyundai. They needed to do that, KIA doesn't.
 
Maybe a Stinger GT-E, carrying an electric power train with speeds to match Tesla but for $70K all in. Mmmm, yum!
 
Maybe a Stinger GT-E, carrying an electric power train with speeds to match Tesla but for $70K all in. Mmmm, yum!
They said early on that the platform was capable of an E variant !
 
Yes, I remember that. Just wonder when they will add a version to the lineup. 2.5T with a hybrid system to boost the power, add driving fun and provide a long range, that would be great.
 
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From interior to exterior to high performance - everything you need for your Stinger awaits you...
Yes, I remember that. Just wonder when they will add a version to the lineup. 2.5T with a hybrid system to boost the power, add driving fun and provide a long range, that would be great.[/QUOW , I'll bet you a tank of gas (#
Wayne , I'll bet you a tank of gas that a Hybrid variant never happens on this car , E yes , though !
 
They can do a Sport Hybrid, they should do a sport hybrid. Based on what the prices are for 2019, it is already $54K with some options. They could pluck the GT and Base out of the batch and add in a couple of hybrid trims in between. Folks aren’t ready for a $70K KIA yet but in a few years, electric or otherwise, they will.
 
I think the branding is fine how it is. No sense in having a sub-brand under KIA for performance. Sure, it would be cool...but I can't imagine the market being large enough to offer $70,000 Stinger GT3's with a V8....while badass, it won't happen. Genesis is the sub-brand under Hyundai. They needed to do that, KIA doesn't.

Genesis is now a totally separate brand.

Hyundai, however, does have its own performance sub-brand in the N-division.

Hyundai probably doesn't want Kia to step on its toes.

Nevertheless, Kia absolutely should add more hard-core variants to the Stinger.

The GT outselling the 2.0T (in numerous markets) or selling a lot better than what Kia expected should tell Kia something.

In addition, there's this.

2018 SRT (and other performance variants) sales.


43505843_10156832528031095_5813281734564773888_n.jpg
 
Wayne , I'll bet you a tank of gas that a Hybrid variant never happens on this car , E yes , though !

Kia is adding PHEV variants of the Sportage and Sorento (for Europe), so wouldn't entirely rule out the 2.5T being tied to a 48V mild hybrid system.
 
Sales of Stinger have been declining for months now. I think Kia has seen making upmarket cars for non domestic markets is harder than they perhaps considered. I don’t think economics are in cards for a new division.
 
From interior to exterior to high performance - everything you need for your Stinger awaits you...
^ The market right now is difficult for pretty much all sedans/fastbacks.

Can get a $14/15k off the sticker of a Q50 3.0T just by walking in the door.

While not good to see the recent decline in sales, the problem has been moving the 2.0T (Kia is selling more of the 3.3T than they had predicted).

The upgrade to the 2.5T (300 HP) should help (300+ HP if tied to a 48V battery system), as well as improving some of the interior bits and doing a better job w/ the pricing structure.

Kia also needs to offer a higher performance variant of the Stinger.

Hyundai has smashed sales projections for its N-division in Europe.

Sales target for this year was 2,800 and thru Sept., they have far surpassed it w/ total sales of 4,678 (about 60% of sales in Germany).

And Hyundai is about to launch the i30N Fastback.

If they can move more units of the base model, think the Stinger will be fine.

Sept. Sales:

Jag XE - 245
ATS - 750
Giulia - 756
IS - 1,798
Q50 - 2,075
 
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