DETROIT MOTOR SHOW: Kia Stinger GT a game changer
Kia Australia boss says new rear-drive twin turbo could replace Commodore but will change the perception of the brandThe all-new Stinger GT rear-drive sport sedan unveiled on the eve of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) at Detroit early today is a "game changer" according to the boss of Kia Australia.
Speaking about the Stinger GT via a conference call to motoring.com.au in Motown, Kia Australia sales chief Damien Meredith said the car had the potential to step-change the brand. And he says it could effectively replace the hot Commodore and Falcon models that will soon be memories.
"It's a game changer. Stinger puts the brand in another sphere and now it's up to us to take advantage of where it places the [Kia] brand," Meredith enthused.
The new Stinger commences production mid-year in Korea, with Australia one of the first global markets to launch the car. Although pricing is not set, Meredith is clear that the car must arrive at a competitive level.
motoring.com.au believes that means around $43K for the 190kW turbo four, and circa $52K for the 272kW/510Nm (from 1300rpm!) twin-turbo 3.3-litre V6 GT. That pricing could mean a re-jig of Sonata GT pricing but such a move does not faze Meredith.
"Stinger shows what Kia can do with product.
"I think it [Stinger] will [rub off on other Kia models]. I hope what's going to occur is a car like this is going to bring a lot of attention to the brand.
"We won't sell a lot this year [2017] but in 2018 if it has the right pricing strategy it might be the car that replaces Commodore and Falcon performance vehicles," Meredith stated.
The Kia Australia boss said local allocation could be limited in 2017 but suggested that the all-new rear-drive car could generate "reasonable volume" thereafter.
"In 2017 what we get is what we'll sell – if we get 150 a month, 200, 300 per month in that Sept to December period, that's what we will sell.
"They're [Commodore and Falcon] are disappearing, the market isn't. We have to be a logical fit to replace them – that's up to us, to how we position Stinger, how we price Stinger – that we have to do everything to give the car the opportunity to replace a historic performance area locally," Meredith stated.
The Kia boss said Supercar racing could be part of the mix to deliver the Stinger brand to enthusiasts, but hinted factory support would be required to make that happen.
"Racing might be part of it... That hasn't been decided. [But] Everything is on the table. Everything is under study because it's [Stinger] so damn important to us," Meredith said.
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