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Kia Stinger: Australian equipment details revealed in leaked bulletin

A number of key equipment details for the incoming new 2018 Kia Stinger liftback sedan have been revealed, thanks to a dealer bulletin obtained by CarAdvice reader Joe.


Although the all-important pricing details are still to be confirmed, CarAdvice can confirm the Stinger will be offered locally in six grades, split equally across the already confirmed 2.0-litre four-cylinder and 3.3-litre six-cylinder turbocharged petrol engines.

The 190kW/353Nm four-cylinder Stinger will kick off with the 200S, with mid-range 200Si and top-shelf GT-Line models sitting above.

Full details for the four-cylinder models were not included with the bulletin, but, as it does with the Sportage, the GT-Line will likely represent a styling pack rather than any significant sporting enhancements.

The six-cylinder models will include the entry-level 330S and mid-spec 330Si, with the much-hyped GT to sit atop the range. Only recently, Kia confirmed buyers can expect a 0-100km/h time of just 4.9 seconds for the Stinger GT, likely putting the 272kW/510Nm turbo liftback on more than a few shopping lists.

According to the dealer bulletin obtained by CarAdvice, equipment highlights for the 330S will include driving systems like a variable gear ratio steering setup, a limited-slip differential and Brembo brakes - although details more specific than this are still to come.

The 330S also lists keyless entry with push-button start, cloth seats with artificial leather seat bolsters and inserts, a 7.0-inch display with satellite navigation and SUNA traffic updates, along with 10 years of free map updates, and connectivity with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) will not be standard with the 330S, although it may prove to be available as an option. To get the potentially life-saving and at least bumper-protecting technology as standard equipment, buyers will need to step up to the 330Si.

That model also adds lane-keep assist and smart cruise control, along with rain-sensing wipers, 19-inch alloy wheels (up from presumably 18-inch on the 330S), a larger 8.0-inch display (with all the goodies listed above), nine-speaker audio (330S speaker number not noted), and a full leather interior.

Splashing out on the top-shelf GT, which is expected to be priced in the neighbourhood of $50,000 before on-road costs, will add blind-spot monitoring, driver-selectable suspension options, LED headlights, powered tilt/reach steering column, a slide/tilt powered sunroof, upgraded Nappa leather, memory driver's seat, 15-speaker Harman/Kardon audio, and a head-up display.

Standard colour options for the 200S, 200Si, 330S and 330Si will include Panthera Metal (a dark purple), Silky Silver, Ceramic Grey, Sunset Yellow, Hichroma Red and Micro Blue, while Deep Chrome Blue will be offered as a cost option.

For the GT-Line and GT, standard colours will include Silky Silver, Ceramic Grey, Sunset Yellow, Hichroma Red and Micro Blue, adding Dark Chroma Blue, Snow White Pearl and Aurora Black as cost options.

Colours in the cabin will be limited to black for the 200S, 200Si, 330S and 330Si, while GT-Line and GT buyers can add red leather to the list of considerations.

Lower-specification models are likely to be popular with fleet buyers, with Kia Australia communications manager Kevin Hepworth telling CarAdvice in May the company will welcome buyers previously committed to the Commodore, Falcon and Camry - among others.

“I think it is fair to say that Stinger is going to offer a lot to fleet customers - particularly the 2.0T. I’m not so sure we are so much pushing it as a replacement for the Commodore/Camry/Falcon markets but that is an area of the fleet world which is changing and Stinger is certainly an option for fleet buyers to consider,” Hepworth said.

“As for the 3.3, there has been a lot of initial interest from various police forces and they represent enormous fleet potential.”

The Stinger will make its Australian debut in the third quarter of this year, with more official details to be revealed as its launch draws near.

Our thanks to Joe for the tip! Got one of your own? Contact us here.

What do you think of the Stinger's Australian specs?

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