Wednesday 21st December 2022

Kia bids farewell to Stinger with Tribute Edition

1,000-unit limited edition marks the end for Kia's loveable four-door

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It’s easy to understand Kia making a big deal of the Stinger’s demise; there wasn’t a car like it in the range before 2017 and, with the EV6 GT indirectly replacing it as the Kia flagship, there won’t be another anytime soon, either. That the Stinger was very decent, and liked by so many, will only have increased the in-house affection for it. Accordingly, to mark the occasion, Kia has created a special edition - one last hurrah before the Stinger really is done.

Appropriately, it's called the Tribute Edition, and Kia believes it ‘elevates the striking sedan’s aesthetic appeal and sporting nature to a new level’. Based on the 3.3-litre, V6 model, the Tribute will be offered in either the very handsome Ascot Green seen on the UK press car, or the new Moonscape matt grey pictured here. Which seems a tad dull for an end of the line special, but - wouldn’t you know - that’s the same grey colour the EV6 GT is seen in all the time. There’s probably something to say about a continuation of a legacy in there. Additional exterior tweaks include black mirrors, black wheels and black calipers, Kia no doubt clinging to the opinion that if you can’t beat the Germans at their own game then you're best joining them.

Fortunately, the interior is much more colourful, and all the better for it. Both colours get Terracotta leather inside, which looks great, and actually works quite nicely with the carbon effect trim. Apparently - we say that as there’s not a pic just yet - the Stinger Tribute Edition also features a ‘wasp-shaped emblem’ in the headrest, which ‘simultaneously denotes the car’s name and signifies the razor-sharp response of its potent 3.3-litre twin-turbocharged V6 gasoline engine’. Which is not something ever written about a limited edition before. But there is a door sill plaque to remind the driver it’s exclusive, because that’s mandatory.

Kia will make 1,000 Tribute Editions, which accounts for the entire global production run. Expect most of those to go to America, and precisely none to the UK - boo. Still, you could of course pay tribute without buying a Tribute - this facelifted, blue GT-S is under warranty until April 2028 (!) and costs £35k. Bargain. 

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• Kia Stinger withdrawn from sale
• Genesis reveals stunning X Convertible concept

 

 

[Jon_S_Rally]

A shame this car is being killed off, but not surprising. My neighbour has one and it makes me smile every time I see it.

[hornbaek]

I followed a Kia Stinger on a large stretch of the Autobahn between Cologne and Frankfurt a couple of months ago and I was surprised how quick this thing is. Definitely an underrated sportscar and great value for money.

[C70R]

I think this is a classic example of a manufacturer making exactly the sort of car that the internet is crying out for, and nobody buying it.

[shtu]

C70R said:

I think this is a classic example of a manufacturer making exactly the sort of car that the internet is crying out for, and nobody buying it.

Absolutely. Legions of string-back glove wearers claim they would buy a 3.0 RWD saloon if only they still existed, etc.

Kia build one.

<tumbleweed, crickets>

[Dingu]

shtu said:

C70R said:

I think this is a classic example of a manufacturer making exactly the sort of car that the internet is crying out for, and nobody buying it.

Absolutely. Legions of string-back glove wearers claim they would buy a 3.0 RWD saloon if only they still existed, etc.

Kia build one.

<tumbleweed, crickets>

Yep, and then the pages of decrying other cars (electric and otherwise) as “white goods”, “too heavy” and “ugly” etc are pointless as they will sell far more.

[ingenieur]

shtu said:

C70R said:

I think this is a classic example of a manufacturer making exactly the sort of car that the internet is crying out for, and nobody buying it.

Absolutely. Legions of string-back glove wearers claim they would buy a 3.0 RWD saloon if only they still existed, etc.

Kia build one.

<tumbleweed, crickets>

To be fair the Germans do still make 3.0 (or thereabouts) RWD saloon cars and people do still buy them.

[Limpet]

shtu said:

C70R said:

I think this is a classic example of a manufacturer making exactly the sort of car that the internet is crying out for, and nobody buying it.

Absolutely. Legions of string-back glove wearers claim they would buy a 3.0 RWD saloon if only they still existed, etc.

Kia build one.

<tumbleweed, crickets>

Sums up my thoughts as well. The same people who spent years slating fat tyred, heavy, complex turbocharged performance cars, and cried out for a light, modestly tyred, naturally aspirated RWD sports car that allowed fun at sane speeds, then didn't go out and buy the GT86 because it was too slow.

Meanwhile, BMW has grown into a €100bn+ turnover organisation making cars that the same internet armchair pilots say are ugly / bloated / have lost the plot.

If I were running a car business, the last thing I would ever do is prioritise the needs of "internet enthusiasts".

Edited by Limpet on Wednesday 21st December 11:26

[Escort Si-130]

shtu said:

C70R said:

I think this is a classic example of a manufacturer making exactly the sort of car that the internet is crying out for, and nobody buying it.

Absolutely. Legions of string-back glove wearers claim they would buy a 3.0 RWD saloon if only they still existed, etc.

Kia build one.

<tumbleweed, crickets>

Well said, welcome to PH, where there are loads of car hypocrites that uses every excuse to justify being a badge snob

[Escort Si-130]

Limpet said:

shtu said:

C70R said:

I think this is a classic example of a manufacturer making exactly the sort of car that the internet is crying out for, and nobody buying it.

Absolutely. Legions of string-back glove wearers claim they would buy a 3.0 RWD saloon if only they still existed, etc.

Kia build one.

<tumbleweed, crickets>

Sums up my thoughts as well. The same people who spent years slating fat tyred, heavy, complex turbocharged performance cars, and cried out for a light, modestly tyred, naturally aspirated RWD sports car that allowed fun at sane speeds, then didn't go out and buy the GT86 because it was too slow.

Meanwhile, BMW has grown into a €100bn+ turnover organisation making cars that the same internet armchair pilots say are ugly / bloated / have lost the plot.

If I were running a car business, the last thing I would ever do is prioritise the needs of "internet enthusiasts".

Edited by Limpet on Wednesday 21st December 11:26

If it had BMW, Audi or Mercedes on the front, they would be buying it by the bucket loads.

[LuS1fer]

Dear god, didn't crappy matt paint go out of fashion ten years ago. Wouldn't buy any car with matt paint.

[MarkJS]

Escort Si-130 said:

If it had BMW, Audi or Mercedes on the front, they would be buying it by the bucket loads.

No. One of these was high on my list when I changed last time. However, the poor fuel consumption, very short service intervals and rattly sunroof on every car I drove put me off. Then I bought the BMW version.

[C70R]

Limpet said:

shtu said:

C70R said:

I think this is a classic example of a manufacturer making exactly the sort of car that the internet is crying out for, and nobody buying it.

Absolutely. Legions of string-back glove wearers claim they would buy a 3.0 RWD saloon if only they still existed, etc.

Kia build one.

<tumbleweed, crickets>

Sums up my thoughts as well. The same people who spent years slating fat tyred, heavy, complex turbocharged performance cars, and cried out for a light, modestly tyred, naturally aspirated RWD sports car that allowed fun at sane speeds, then didn't go out and buy the GT86 because it was too slow.

Meanwhile, BMW has grown into a €100bn+ turnover organisation making cars that the same internet armchair pilots say are ugly / bloated / have lost the plot.

If I were running a car business, the last thing I would ever do is prioritise the needs of "internet enthusiasts".

Edited by Limpet on Wednesday 21st December 11:26

I think the mistake came in listening to the views of people without checking what they actually drive first. Their choice of car doesn't prohibit them from having an opinion, but it definitely adds or detracts weight.

Listening to the owner of an £800 Vectra talk about how modern [insert German car brand]s are all rubbish is a bit like an ugly bloke telling me that he doesn't like Claudia Schiffer's beauty spot.

It's an opinion, but it's largely irrelevant.

There's something in the inverse snobbery thing online too. I feel like people who can't afford/justify expensive or new cars tend to rail against them more. Whereas they struggle to find fault in dull, tired old Saabs/Volvos/Subarus etc., because they justify it as a 'smart alternative' choice.

People like that tend to use strong opinions as a way to justify their choices.

[Silvanus]

I really like this, the brown interior oops great too.

Its a shame more people didn't buy this. I think has less to do with the badge and more about the engine. Kia are on fire and one of the best selling brands in the UK and continuing to grow. Their SUVs and EVs are seen by much of the buying public as desirable.

All the German competition have a much bigger engine choice, how many of the other 4/5 door coupes out there are bought with a big engine? Most are the smallest petrol or diesel combined with S-line or M-sport trim. Can't remember the last time I saw an S5.

If this had been available with the 1.5T petrol, a diesel or even hybrid I'm sure it would have sold better. However, it was never really designed for Europe and is definitely a North America market car, so need for those type of engine options.

I don't think larger engined sports saloons like this have long left, Mercedes have shown us that with the new AMG hybrid. It won't be long until we are wishing cars like this stayed around a bit longer.

[Dracoro]

Silvanus said:

If this had been available with the 1.5T petrol, a diesel or even hybrid I'm sure it would have sold better.

They did sell a diesel one, and a smaller petrol one too.

As this is PH, all we refer to is the the 3.3 twin turbo of course

I had one, a great car and everything as standard.

6 month servicing was a mistake, not on cost as such (there are bulk service plans you can buy) but convenience factor and also some germans were doing 2 year intervals.

Economy was fine for a 370BHP car!!

IMO, looks far better than the BMW 4 gran coupe and far more exclusive than the common S5.

Ended up WFH full time so mine had to go as too much car to sit on driveway unused most of the time so went for a Cayman toy instead and an old estate to cart kids around in.

Edited by Dracoro on Wednesday 21st December 12:03

[cerb4.5lee]

I've always had a bit of a soft spot for these, and they always look good whenever I see them out on the roads. As mentioned though they were always going to struggle for sales against their German rivals, and I'd personally go for a 340i/440i/C43/S4/S5 etc over one of these too.

[Augustus Windsock]

LuS1fer said:

Dear god, didn't crappy matt paint go out of fashion ten years ago. Wouldn't buy any car with matt paint.

Exactly.
I passed a BMW X6M on the A38 yesterday, finished in a matt camp olive drab.
Knew before I even drew level withe car what the driver would look like; tattooed steroid-head with anger issues about being overtaken by a VW Amarok...

Back on topic, I've seen a handful of these knocking around and can never take them seriously for some reason, not quite sure why (other than the odd-looking bonnet vents?), they just don't appeal which is probably a barometer of their sale success (or not)...

[PurpleTurtle]

I liked the look of these but I did what countless other people would do, said "nice, but I prefer the BMW/Audi/Merc equivalent"

Consequently I don't think I've ever even seen one on the road in the UK.

You can get a nicely spec'd 20k miler for £27k,

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211151...

A lot of car for the money but you wonder what that would be worth in 5yrs, probably not a lot.

Alternatively they might become a cult classic. All the owner reviews I've seen are very positive.

[BigChiefmuffinAgain]

Silvanus said:

I really like this, the brown interior oops great too.

Its a shame more people didn't buy this. I think has less to do with the badge and more about the engine. Kia are on fire and one of the best selling brands in the UK and continuing to grow. Their SUVs and EVs are seen by much of the buying public as desirable.

All the German competition have a much bigger engine choice, how many of the other 4/5 door coupes out there are bought with a big engine? Most are the smallest petrol or diesel combined with S-line or M-sport trim. Can't remember the last time I saw an S5.

If this had been available with the 1.5T petrol, a diesel or even hybrid I'm sure it would have sold better. However, it was never really designed for Europe and is definitely a North America market car, so need for those type of engine options.

I don't think larger engined sports saloons like this have long left, Mercedes have shown us that with the new AMG hybrid. It won't be long until we are wishing cars like this stayed around a bit longer.

Yes - I think while the package as is is attractive, it was hard to make the sums add up with the service intervals and running costs against the German opposition, and the whole large 4 dr saloon sector is dying as people switch to SUVs, hence the demise of the Mondeo, Guila and many others soon.

Suspect the C Class, 3 series and A4 will soon be the only players of ICE cars in this sector soon....

[Silvanus]

Dracoro said:

Silvanus said:

If this had been available with the 1.5T petrol, a diesel or even hybrid I'm sure it would have sold better.

They did sell a diesel one, and a smaller petrol one too.

As this is PH, all we refer to is the the 3.3 twin turbo of course

I had one, a great car and everything as standard.

6 month servicing was a mistake, not on cost as such (there are bulk service plans you can buy) but convenience factor and also some germans were doing 2 year intervals.

Economy was fine for a 370BHP car!!

IMO, looks far better than the BMW 4 gran coupe and far more exclusive than the common S5.

Ended up WFH full time so mine had to go as too much car to sit on driveway unused most of the time so went for a Cayman toy instead and an old estate to cart kids around in.

Edited by Dracoro on Wednesday 21st December 12:03

A 200bhp 2.2 diesel and a 245bhp turbo petrol are hardly small compared to what is available. The 1.5T would have been a good choice and maybe the 1.6d.

The Audi A5 is available with a 1.6 petrol which is one of the biggest sellers.

[sean ie3]

Really like these, great performance and looks pretty classy as well, and this Tribute edition has a colour combination I really like, one thing, I'd need too tone down the Kia icons at front and back, easily done though.