Limited to 1,000 cars worldwide, the last Kia Stinger says 'annyeonghi gaseyo' with the Tribute Edition
CY Foong · Apr 20, 2023 11:15 AM
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The Kia Stinger is an underrated sports sedan designed to compete against the established Germans for a fraction of the price. Despite praises from the media, the Kia sports sedan stung in sales and 6 years after it was introduced, the Korean carmaker decided to drop the model.
In a bittersweet send-off, Kia decided to offer 1,000 units of the final run of the sports sedan with the Tribute Edition. Out of those 1,000 units planned worldwide, 440 units will be sold in the United States and are offered with a choice of the exclusive Steel Matte Grey or Ascot Green exterior colours.
The Stinger Tribute Edition is powered by a 3.3-litre turbocharged V6 engine that ekes out 373 PS and 510 Nm. The Tribute Edition is offered with rear-wheel drive or an optional all-wheel drive with power sent via an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Further enhancing the Stinger Tribute Edition in the exterior are black-accented details on the exhaust tips, Brembo brake callipers, side mirrors, and exclusive 19-inch alloy wheels.
The interior comes with Teracotta Nappa-leather trimmed seats emblazoned with a custom logo, a synthetic suede headliner, and simulated carbon fibre interior trim. Each Tribute Edition will have its own numbered door sill plate.
Over 65,000 units of the Stinger have been sold in the United States since its launch in 2019 and the Stinger Tribute Edition starts from USD 53,390 (~RM 237k). The Stinger was briefly offered in Malaysia with the 3.3 V6 GT starting from RM 309,888 when it was launched in 2018 by Kia’s then-distributor, Naza.
Despite being RM 75,000 less than the Mercedes-AMG C43, the Stinger sold very poorly in Malaysia. Perhaps it’s the Kia logo that stung a few potential buyers but under new distributors, Dinamikjaya, Kia is on a roll with Malaysians who fell in love with the Carnival and the EV6. Could the recently-launched Kia Sorento make it the third charmer for the Korean carmaker?
Traded advertising for a career that fits his passion for cars. Enjoys spotting cars during his free time and has a soft spot for Japanese Kei cars but drives a thirsty manual sedan.
