Kia Stinger turns up the volume

Kia Australia will offer a locally-developed bi-modal exhaust for V6 versions of the new Stinger sports sedan to combat the International model’s underwhelming soundtrack.

The cat-back system will mean more localisation for the Stinger than any previous Kia. It will also launch with suspension and steering tunes developed specifically for Australian conditions by local engineers.

Kia Australia communications chief Kevin Hepworth confirmed the development of the throttle-actuated bi-modal exhaust system for the 3.3-litre Lambda II engine to motoring.com.au.

He was speaking at the Nurburgring in Germany where we had our first taste of the flagship

"It is important this car sounds like it looks and unfortunately we are not going to get that out of the factory straight away," said Hepworth.

"What we are doing is developing a proper bi-model after-market exhaust system. It will come from a recognised exhaust developer. They are building for us a set of four pipes which they will put on the car," Hepworth explained.

"We will listen to what they have developed and nominate what we like. If we don’t like any of them we will ask them to do something different," he said.

The unique positioning of the twin turbo Stinger in Australia (as a potential replacement for our departing locally-developed and built affordable rear-wheel drive heroes, the Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore), made a strong soundtrack important, said Hepworth.

"The engine is built initially for quietness and refinement," Hepworth said.

"We are saying we want this to be in the SS Commodore consideration set. Then it’s got to look as good as one, go as good as one and sound as good as one."

Hepworth confirmed the exhaust will meet all Australian Design Rule (ADR) requirement: “It must be a fully warranted and compliant system.”

He also said an exhaust system might also be developed for the 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol-turbo version of the Stinger depending on customer response to the V6 system.

"If it's accepted and there's demand for it then yes," he said.

"Once you put the toe in the water, it's not that hard to jump in. You find out if there is desire or need for it and whether or not the market is willing to pay the price."

The local initiative has the full support of Kia's global performance vehicle development chief Albert Biermann, who is clearly underwhelmed with the standard system.

"We are trapped in the regulations. So we added the Active Sound Design which is coming through the speakers to give better feedback. But that's basically it," Biermann admitted.

"I am not fully happy with it, but I am happy the Australian Kia guys come up with some after-market solution. Maybe I will ask them to send me one!" he added.

Since the Australian division began its exhaust project, Kia's technical headquarters in Korea has gone down the same path and developed a louder exhaust system for the USA. Kia in Germany is also working on an after-market system.

Hepworth played down the prospect of KMA doing much more local modification of Stinger or any other models.

"It is a very expensive exercise and difficult to get the authorisation to do this sort of thing," he said.