Kia’s iconic model, the Stinger
Faces calls for a revival after discontinuation
Recent hopeful news has emerged
It’s no exaggeration to say that the Kia Stinger was pivotal in shaping the brand’s identity. This 5-door fastback GT model brought a level of design sophistication and driving performance that was hard to match, thanks to the influence of Albert Biermann, formerly of BMW M. Its balanced design and impressive performance garnered acclaim in both Korea and international markets.
The discontinuation of the Stinger was a letdown for fans, especially as it was replaced by the EV6 GT, which has not generated the same enthusiasm. Although rumors of a Stinger revival circulated, Kia has consistently maintained that the model would not return. However, recent developments have sparked fresh excitement and speculation within the automotive community.
An interview with CEO Ho-Sung Song revealed
Dramatic expansion of electric vehicle options
British automotive media Autocar released an interview with Kia CEO Ho-Sung Song on September 16. Kia is steadily expanding its electric vehicle lineup by launching mass-market models such as the EV5 and EV3. According to the report, Song mentioned two new electric vehicles as Kia’s following goals and revealed some notable information.
The first is the successor electric vehicle, Picanto (Morning’s export name). Even the EV3, which is currently causing a sales boom, is generally evaluated as a new car that has lowered the barrier to entry for electric vehicles to a reasonable level. However, this is only the beginning. In 2026, a smaller model, the EV2, is scheduled to be launched at a price of less than $33,000 in Europe.
Morning Electric Vehicle Launch in 2030? Stinger Successor to Receive More Attention
After that, they aim to launch a Morning follow-up electric vehicle priced close to half that price, at $16,000 to $22,000. However, it is unlikely to happen shortly. In an interview with Autocar, Song said, “It will be very difficult to make an urban electric vehicle at this price, but it is a task that Kia can accomplish,” adding, “However, it will not be possible before 2030.”
He then mentioned the possibility of launching a new high-performance electric vehicle. President Song said, “We are actively considering developing a new model to replace the Stinger,” and “We are researching what kind of model would help build the brand.” However, he was cautious about whether this meant that the previously canceled GT1 (project name) development had resumed or if a completely different model was being prepared.
Expectations are high for unprecedented specifications
The GT1, previously in the spotlight as the successor electric vehicle to the Stinger, was planned to be developed based on the new electric vehicle architecture, eM. If Kia resumes development of the GT1, the total output of the model’s dual motors will likely exceed 600 horsepower, and it will likely be equipped with the largest 113.2kWh battery among Kia’s electric vehicles. This figure far surpasses the current EV6 GT.
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