[Kia Stinger News]

Kia Motors is seeing a decline in second quarter sales compared to last year and the automaker may try to give their tanking sales a bit of a boost with the new Stonic and Stinger.

Looking at numbers provided by Korea Joongang Daily, weak demand for Kia vehicles in both China and the United States contributed to net profit decline of 389.6 billion won or around $350 million. A Stark contrast to last year's second quarter sales of 825.8 billion won ($735.6 million). Overall, Kia Motors sales dropped 5.9 percent in July to 56,403 sales.

Interestingly enough with the current crossover/SUV boom we've been experiencing, both the Sportage and Sorento saw a decline in sales while the compact Forte saw a 17% sales jump last month. Perhaps Kia's crossover lineup needs a new model to increase segment sales in Europe to make up for the sales decline and that's where both the new Stonic and Stinger comes in.

Perhaps debuting as a reaction to the Forte's sales numbers, Kia plans to launch the new Stinger grand touring vehicle in Europe this coming October. The stunning 2018 Stinger managed to walk away from the North American International Auto Show with two top awards. That award winning sleek exterior styling can also be found inside, with a minimal yet luxurious cabin.

But what's style without substance? Customers in Europe will have a choice of three engines; a 3.3 litre twin-turbo V6 engine with 370ps, a 255 ps 2.0 T-GDI or a 2.2 CRDi unit with 200 ps.

 

[GTSeoul]

Europe will be the most challenging market to sell these but if it can do well their then its safe to say that everywhere else it can do equally as well. Most world automotive markets have adjusted to the European way configuring vehicles.

 

[Bumblebee]

Recently, sedans all seem to be a pretty hard sell compared to SUVs and crossovers so we have no idea how well the Stinger will do. Though that front facia may be enough to attract attention before ensnaring you after a test drive.

 

[GTSeoul]

Recently, sedans all seem to be a pretty hard sell compared to SUVs and crossovers so we have no idea how well the Stinger will do. Though that front facia may be enough to attract attention before ensnaring you after a test drive.

Stinger brings a new take on the 4 door passenger car so its just a matter of seeing how things play out, this idea works on higher levels, look at how well the Panamera sells.... this is like a poor mans Panamera. Actually....that might be its nick name one day haha

 

[Bumblebee]

It is a more aggressive looking version of the Panamera, but you're not wrong when it comes to the prices. Could never afford a Panamera...

 

[GTSeoul]

It is a more aggressive looking version of the Panamera, but you're not wrong when it comes to the prices. Could never afford a Panamera...

Yes, the harder and more aggressive styling plays into that heavily but even Porsche has tried working some of that in this time around.
At 1/3 the cost of a Panamera, this is basically what everyone asked for.

Most everyone I speak to about dream cars that are practical brings up the Panamera or something similar, that ought to say something.

 

[Bumblebee]

The Panamera Turbo can produce 550 hp, I would have been happy seeing half of that in the Stinger for what it's going to cost, but we're getting that and more with the 3.3 litre twin-turbo V6 powered model.

 

[GTSeoul]

The Panamera Turbo can produce 550 hp, I would have been happy seeing half of that in the Stinger for what it's going to cost, but we're getting that and more with the 3.3 litre twin-turbo V6 powered model.

Realistically we should be able to see a max of mid-300's from this and with what aftermarket support could be like it will be easy enough to get power up to a point you will be smoking Panamera's, not that it makes us any better

I'll love to see brands like HKS come out with turbo kits for the Stinger.