2018 Kia Stinger Australian range details leaked

IT WOULD be an understatement to say the Kia Stinger is one of 2017’s more keenly-awaited new cars. As a large rear-drive sedan with plenty of under-bonnet firepower, it will neatly take the baton from the Holden Commodore that’s set to retire in the fourth quarter of this year.

The Stinger is on target for an August arrival into Aussie showrooms, but beyond the fact it will be offered with a 190kW/353Nm 2.0-litre turbo four-pot and a 272kW/510Nm turbo V6 (the latter sprinting to 100km/h in 4.9 seconds), little precise detail has so far been revealed about Kia’s sporty four-door.

However a dealership bulletin leaked online has let some key information slip about the Stinger’s local specifications, detailing the range structure and equipment levels for many models.

The Stinger family starts with the 200S grade, followed by the mid-spec 200Si and the sports-styled Stinger GT-Line. All three are powered by the 2.0-litre turbocharged engine that is expected to find the most buyers in this country.

The 3.3 litre turbo V6 (above) follows a similar template, powering the 330S, 330Si and range-topping GT model. It’s this powertrain that has the lengthiest equipment list.

All V6 models will boast a limited-slip differential as standard, along with Brembo brakes and a variable-ratio steering rack – features thought to be reserved for the range-topping Stinger GT. Keyless ignition, keyless entry and partial-leather upholstery will be standard on the 330S, with lane-keep assist, active cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, full leather trim and AEB to come in from the 330Si grade – along with an 8.0-inch infotainment display.

According to the dealer document, the GT flagship will add higher-grade Nappa leather, driver’s seat memory, a Harman/Kardon premium audio system, blind-spot monitoring, multi-mode suspension, LED headlamps, head-up display, sunroof and a power-adjustable steering column.

Specification details aren’t listed for the four-cylinder variants, though the nomenclature hints that equipment levels will mostly mirror those of the V6s – with the exception of the V6-specific mechanicals, like brakes, suspension and differential.

V6 models will also have a choice of black or red interior colour schemes, while the 2.0-litre grades will only come with black cabin furnishings.

However, while the local range structure and equipment levels are no longer secret, Kia Australia has still managed to keep a lid on Australian pricing for the Stinger.

Retail prices for Korean-market Kias typically come in roughly $3000-4500 less than their Aussie equivalents, which suggests the base Stinger 200S – which retails for the equivalent of $39,470 in South Korea - should arrive in Australia with a circa-$43,000 starting price.

By the same token, the headlining Stinger GT, a $58,800 proposition in South Korea, could land wearing a sticker in the low $60k region.

Australia-bound Stingers are also set to receive a bespoke exhaust tune with a sportier note, which should address our criticism of uninspiring engine acoustics during our preview drive of Stinger prototypes late last year. Kia hopes to eventually sell around 400 Stingers per month, though initial sales are expected to be constrained by low supply.