Kia EV8/Stinger.
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Kia is actually thinking about a new large electric sedan to replace the dead Kia Stinger.
The Stinger was produced from 2017 to 2023. Its design was based on the fantastic-looking 2011 Stinger Concept.
Although the Stinger kept accumulating one good review after another, it was never the hit Kia had hoped for. Its first full production year was its best with over 16,800 units sold in the US in 2018. Of course, Covid didn’t help and sales were down to 5452 units by 2023.
There was already a rumor last year about a new generation based on Kia‘s EV platform. Then nothing for a while. Now we have a strong hint from Kia’s president who claims a new Stinger EV is “under study. “
This is usually the PR codeword for “we’re doing it but can’t talk about it yet…”
The original Stinger was a large sedan with a hatchback, which could be reminiscent of the current Kia EV6. But a larger, lower, and sleeker hatchback would be closer to a true second-generation Stinger. Kia has trademarked EV names up to EV9. As we know, the EV9 was scheduled to be called “EV7” until a few months ago. Which is probably when Kia made a decision on a new Stinger EV that would be called “EV8”.
The Stinger was quite a gamble for Kia at the time, with a car mainly competing with German manufacturers. A new larger EV8 could probably be more successful. Currently, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is doing quite well. And the Kia EV6 has too. And of course, the Tesla Model 3 is still quite popular. It will be interesting to see how well the super-conservative VW ID.7 will do. At least overseas since we’ll probably never see it in North America.
Kia’s president also mentioned an EV replacement for the tiny Kia Picanto sold overseas is their next target. And something that is definitely not coming over here.