Writing on the Wall? Stinger getting the axe...

[Aquineas]

According to this article, the Stinger, Sonata, and K5 are all getting the axe. I didn't know this, but I guess the Stinger and G70 are made in different plants- G70 in Ulsan while the Stinger is apparently made at the Sohari Plant in Gwangmyeong (all this is news to me- though it does explain some of the subtle differences in build quality that a few reviewers have noted). If that article is to be believed, then the Sohari plant is due to be re-tooled to produce EVs.

In any case, the G70 may hang on for a little longer, but the days of the G70, as well as of the ICE in general, are probably numbered...

 

[canucklehead604]

^ yeah this story and the general topic came up about a year ago. there were then other articles with Kia reps saying otherwise. not sure what to believe, but the reps seemed to portray confidence that the Stinger would remain for the foreseeable future. given the sales i doubt they'll invest in another generation, but the current gen should hang on through MY '24 give or take.

 

[Volfy]

Seems like the writing on the wall is more like graffiti du jour... gets pasted over every other day.

That article was based on info about Kia stopping Stinger production at some facilities. The inference was that it meant the end of all Stinger production, when in fact Kia was simply consolidating production lines to the remaining facilities. 2023 Kia Stinger lineup has already been announced. There were even moroney stickers of 2023 Stingers (with VIN) already posted on some of the Stinger FB pages. Base trim 2.5T GT-Line gets a new Apex Edition, which includes Brembo brakes and carbon fiber blings. Top trim 3.3T GT2 gets a Grand Touring edition, which is similar to the previous Scorpion Edition.

Per Hyundai/Kia's typical 3yr (complete redesign) + 3yr (refresh) cycle, the current iteration of Kia Stinger will most likely stay on the roster through 2024. After that... who knows. It might get the axe, or it might go EV... or they might come up with something surprising. Afterall, it's no secret Hyundai/kia has been tooling around with a mid-engine sports car using Stinger as a test mule. https://www.autoevolution.com/news/...iew-hyundai-ns-all-new-halo-model-163952.html

I've always believed Kia Stinger should have been marketed as a Genesis, similar to how BMW has their 4-series Grand Coupe and Audi A5 Sportback. Maybe Peter Schreyer believed Kia should have it as the brand's halo car. Again, who knows. Come 2025, if Stinger still has a raison d'etre, I'm sure they'll keep it around in some shape or form. Right now, the entire automotive marketplace is so volatile, I doubt anybody's crystal ball is crystal clear.

 

[Backslack]

I saw this rumor on Carscoops and one of the comments immediately shot it down by showing screenshots of the 2023 Stinger on the EPA website.

Shows how professional sites can be when they spread this junk without taking even two seconds to verify... all for the sake of a worthless clickbait article.

That said, I am quite confident that the next Stinger and G70 will be based on the upcoming Ioniq 6 sedan as an EV.