Special Edition Stinger Coming in 2019

[Gdank]

ALSO paying $10,000 less than you are.

If only a few miles away, why not cross a border? Are you afraid Trump won't let you back in?

Maybe your anger is miss-placed

Come to that land of the free! Move to the EU! (can't be the UK though, as the RHD cars would confuse you, and we don't have some features too!)

 

[oxide365]

@ 168mph i can go bay area to LA in 2 hours.

 

[Chris]

If only a few miles away, why not cross a border? Are you afraid Trump won't let you back in?

A bunch of us looked. Looks like you would have no warranty if you bought the car in Canada and brought it to America..

No comment on the Trump stuff. Not the place..

 

[AnyVare]

That's an interesting and sad article all at the same time, as it shows to me that KIA is confused. I like the way the car looks, but will be waiting for the dealer network to calm down here in the states, for KIA to fix the first gen issues and for them to figure out what features they're going to offer. There's just way too many vehicles at $50,000+ that have a better reputation and track record..... I'm waiting and watching you guys.

 

[Waynerm002]

Here is what I think about the way they optioned up the vehicle. Based on how the European brands structure things, KIA seems to have done the same but fell short on some aspects. You get heated front seats but for the steering wheel you need AWD, Genesis did the same thing but they added rear seat heating with the AWD. On the European competition you can get rear heated seats at an additional cost or in a package. Much like the surround camera system. I said that to my friends when I saw the way it was specced and knowing the A5 and 4 Grand Coupe was its target competition, it made sense that they did that. However, knowing what I had on my Optima, it seemed strange to bring a higher spec car here and not even make those features an option. After seeing video after video of this car in other countries that have those items, it seemed strange that they left us out.

I figured they didn’t want to give too many options and make the Genesis folks have issues selling their vehicles. At $52K getting all the options would be a fantastic deal. What more could you do later, once it’s established? Interior color choices with upgraded seats, sport seats throughout, trim choices so folks can individualize their vehicle. Wheel choices, with a sport suspension package, performance package with more power and better suspension or even a luxury package for those that want a higher level interior treatment. Just some ideas for later. Of course if they maxed it out at $55K, while beating the RS and M cars at their game, they would sell a lot more. They will adjust the packages, they listen to their customers, let’s hope this happens for the 2019 model year.

 

[Kia Stinger]

If only a few miles away, why not cross a border? Are you afraid Trump won't let you back in?

Also talking about Trump, it's his business friends that are greedy gits that have no morals charging you more $$$'s for the same vehicle.

Maybe your anger is miss-placed

Come to that land of the free! Move to the EU! (can't be the UK though, as the RHD cars would confuse you, and we don't have some features too!)

Please reserve politics for discussions related to the automobile industry. I will not allow back and forth bickering in regards to disagreements over politics and politicians. And for that matter, I will also not allow discussions related to religion or sexual preference. Please make a note of it.

 

[eljay]

Please reserve politics for discussions related to the automobile industry. I will not allow back and forth bickering in regards to disagreements over politics and politicians. And for that matter, I will also not allow discussions related to religion or sexual preference. Please make a note of it.

Thank you! Since I joined the Forum last summer, this is where I come daily to escape politics, since the rest of my life is fairly saturated with it.

 

[Jayce]

Thank you! Since I joined the Forum last summer, this is where I come daily to escape politics, since the rest of my life is fairly saturated with it.

Same here. So, are you loving that white Stinger?

 

[eljay]

Same here. So, are you loving that white Stinger?

YES! But unfortunately, I was down with the virus that's rampant around here and haven't had the opportunity to drive much--only 199 miles of local errands, and virtually none of it in sport mode. I plan to get her into sport today, traffic allowing.

Mostly, I've been enjoying the attention she's getting. I still haven't seen any other Stingers on the road, but it's great that many of the guys who commented on her are current Kia owners who love their cars and that all those said that they plan to trade their current Kias in on Stingers.

 

[Jayce]

YES! But unfortunately, I was down with the virus that's rampant around here and haven't had the opportunity to drive much--only 199 miles of local errands, and virtually none of it in sport mode. I plan to get her into sport today, traffic allowing.

Mostly, I've been enjoying the attention she's getting. I still haven't seen any other Stingers on the road, but it's great that many of the guys who commented on her are current Kia owners who love their cars and that all those said that they plan to trade their current Kias in on Stingers.

Glad you're feeling better. Yeah, I'm a current Optima owner and I plan on grabbing a Stinger by the end of the year. I'm gonna see what's offered in the 2019 version and then kinda go from there. I'm almost positive that I'm going to end up with a white one too though.

 

[Bamm1]

There’s no doubt Kia has gained serious street cred with its new Stinger GT. We’ve recently learned some dealerships are even marking them up by as much as $15,000, something even the folks at Kia despise. It’s also come to our attention that the US market Stinger GT lacks two tech features you’d think would be standard, a surround-view camera and wireless charging. To add fuel to the fire, both are offered in the Canadian and Mexican market versions. So what gives?

We spoke with Kia’s US director of corporate communications James Bell and Orth Hedrick, vice president of product planning about this very issue, and it boils down to one thing: pricing. "It’s a matter of making sure the Stinger GT remains within a certain price point," Bell said. " We want to ensure it remains accessible for buyers at the pricing we promised." Adding those two features, even as options, is apparently enough to make the US market Stinger too expensive. For whatever reason(s), this isn’t the case for the countries on America’s southern and northern borders. Weird. It’s just how it is. Read more: Here's Why The US-Spec Kia Stinger GT Lacks Two Important Features

..."Hedrick also told us a special edition Stinger GT will arrive next summer and will have both a surround-view camera and wireless charging.".....

To get the proper context here I would really like to see a similar interview conducted with the equivalent level executives from Kia Motors Canada.

Ask them point blank "Why were you able to add in 4 more features than are available in the US market but come in at a substantial 12k USD less?"

I suspect no such interview will ever be granted. Because no one can just admit they assessed the US market and determined they could set pricing to allow for a much higher profit margin. A similar assessment in Canada appears to have found the opposite to be true.

 

[davebo]

You must have more money then sense if you wouldn't be upset that the guys buying the same vehicle in a few hundred miles away get a bunch of features you don't. (It's more than the camera and charging pad) and are ALSO paying $10,000 less than you are. .

If this guy has no qualms taking the depreciation hit from buying a $50k Kia then trading it in after one year to get the same car in AWD and blue paint, then I would not care to guess how much money he has to toss around

 

[Waynerm002]

The Optima was the only true sporty sedan in KIA's lineup, we wanted more power, AWD and more power, performance hybrid wagon (that's me) sleeper, similar to the RS6. Then we got the Stinger! Yeah, we are all stoked. The veterans from the Optima forums are probably here or on some other forum. I'm certain a number of folks are planning on picking up a Stinger.

 

[Gdank]

I'd lose about £5k on it ... plus whatever the dealer would give me as a Trade in (another £2-3k). However, I would make the point that I was an early adopter of the first generation version, and that I'm a loyal Kia Customer!

Plus I'd be able to actually get a discount next time, where at the moment I've only got free mats and boot liner.

 

[davebo]

Okay then I guess dealerships in the UK are just a whole other world from us, because our dealerships can't wait to give you the lowest amount possible for any vehicle. I'd be happy to pay a fair sum for a one year old Stinger, but I have a feeling the actually Kelly BlueBook Value is going to tank significantly once you drive it off the lot here.

 

[Bigserver1]

The Optima was the only true sporty sedan in KIA's lineup, we wanted more power, AWD and more power, performance hybrid wagon (that's me) sleeper, similar to the RS6. Then we got the Stinger! Yeah, we are all stoked. The veterans from the Optima forums are probably here or on some other forum. I'm certain a number of folks are planning on picking up a Stinger.

The Optima offers a 360 camera though.

This is such a weird decision and a huge miss IMO for the top end stingers to not have the 360 and wireless charging.

Obviously the stinger is a far better car. It’s just a really odd decision, given that so many cars well under 50k (including a few in Kia’s lineup) offer these features.

 

[stinger1168]

So, a performance model?

5.0 V8?

LOL... Don't hold your breath for the 5.0

 

[stinger1168]

There’s no doubt Kia has gained serious street cred with its new Stinger GT. We’ve recently learned some dealerships are even marking them up by as much as $15,000, something even the folks at Kia despise. It’s also come to our attention that the US market Stinger GT lacks two tech features you’d think would be standard, a surround-view camera and wireless charging. To add fuel to the fire, both are offered in the Canadian and Mexican market versions. So what gives?

We spoke with Kia’s US director of corporate communications James Bell and Orth Hedrick, vice president of product planning about this very issue, and it boils down to one thing: pricing. "It’s a matter of making sure the Stinger GT remains within a certain price point," Bell said. " We want to ensure it remains accessible for buyers at the pricing we promised." Adding those two features, even as options, is apparently enough to make the US market Stinger too expensive. For whatever reason(s), this isn’t the case for the countries on America’s southern and northern borders. Weird. It’s just how it is. Read more: Here's Why The US-Spec Kia Stinger GT Lacks Two Important Features

..."Hedrick also told us a special edition Stinger GT will arrive next summer and will have both a surround-view camera and wireless charging.".....

Thanks for getting this information but I don't know.... It could be a supplier issue with the 360 camera and wireless charging. It could be they didn't want to step on the toes of the G70 when it came out or they could be looking for an excuse for the bad rollout in the US. Maybe it is a cost thing but I think some of their other US cars have the 360 camera. Their reasoning also doesn't explain the serious lack in color combinations either which wouldn't have cost any more money and none of this explains how the Canadian Stingers are so much cheaper than the US ones (with all the options including the options missing in the US) although there could be tariffs, import and other fees associated with that. Well, it doesn't really matter now. It's water under the bridge I guess. I'm happy to hear about a special edition version but I hope it doesn't ONLY come in yellow (I read in a few places that a special edition in yellow was coming out). I hope I can get it in the color I want.

Personally, I think they just don't have enough cars or supply to meet demand in the US. I think, for the first year, they should have ONLY released the 3.3TT GT in the US and brought in the 2.0T a year or so later. That's what other manufacturers do when there's an all new model and it's for supply reasons. I think it's what KIA is doing in Canada and the UK? On the "build your own" section of the KIA US website, instead of building what you want, it's more like, see what you have to settle on depending on what you select. A lot of people are very disappointed about this, not only on this site but on other Stinger forums as well. I read on another forum that someone is thinking of getting a petition together and might be looking for signatures...SERIOUSLY! (It's not me but I will sign it if it happens) We all LOVE the Stinger but KIA needs to get this figured out in a hurry.

 

[Bamm1]

Thanks for getting this information but I don't know.... It could be a supplier issue with the 360 camera and wireless charging. It could be they didn't want to step on the toes of the G70 when it came out or they could be looking for an excuse for the bad rollout in the US. Maybe it is a cost thing but I think some of their other US cars have the 360 camera. Their reasoning also doesn't explain the serious lack in color combinations either which wouldn't have cost any more money and none of this explains how the Canadian Stingers are so much cheaper than the US ones (with all the options including the options missing in the US) although there could be tariffs, import and other fees associated with that. Well, it doesn't really matter now. It's water under the bridge I guess. I'm happy to hear about a special edition version but I hope it doesn't ONLY come in yellow (I read in a few places that a special edition in yellow was coming out). I hope I can get it in the color I want.

I would venture to guess that the lack of interior/exterior color combinations is a direct result of de-contenting. No GT-style exterior trim for the 2.0T models, the GT2's don't have the exterior cameras, faux-suede headliner, etc. They likely have to queue up the production line for US specific batches. It is easier to get them made and out the door if they limit the color combinations.

 

[stinger1168]

I would venture to guess that the lack of interior/exterior color combinations is a direct result of de-contenting. No GT-style exterior trim for the 2.0T models, the GT2's don't have the exterior cameras, faux-suede headliner, etc. They likely have to queue up the production line for US specific batches. It is easier to get them made and out the door if they limit the color combinations.

Wait.... They don't have the microsuede headliners either?!?!

I agree with your statement and that's why I think they should have focused only on the 3.3TT for the first year, then as production ramps up and they have decent supply, they can phase in the 2.0T's.