news

2021 Kia Stinger facelift detailed, Australian launch later this year

Kia has released full details of its facelifted 2021 Stinger performance flagship, ahead of its Australian arrival in the fourth quarter of 2020.


  • 2021 Kia Stinger facelift detailed in full
  • Engine options unchanged for Australia, bar new variable sports exhaust
  • Interior upgraded with larger touchscreen, new trim choices
  • Safety suite gains new technologies

While a handful of images of the Korean brand’s refreshed fastback were released earlier this month, we’ve had to wait until now for details regarding its global engine line-up and updated technology suite.

Australian customers will continue to have the choice between a 182kW/353Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder or a 272kW/510Nm 3.3-litre twin-turbocharged V6, both mated to eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmissions driving the rear wheels.

 

Drive

However, the range-topping GT is set to score a new bi-modal sports exhaust system as standard – replacing the existing, Australian-developed unit – which ups the aural ante in Sport mode and uncorks an additional 2kW of power (to 274kW).

New for Korean and North American markets is the addition of a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, shared with the Genesis G80 sedan and GV80 SUV (likely the new-look G70 too). Outputs carry over unchanged from the mill’s other rear-drive applications, sending 224kW of power and 422Nm of torque to the tarmac through an eight-speed auto.

No mention is made in Kia’s press materials of the 147kW/440Nm 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel previously offered in Europe, suggesting it has seen the axe with the arrival of the facelift.

 

Drive

The latest images released by the Korean brand confirm few changes have been made in the styling department to its rear-drive hero.

Visual updates revolve around restyled head- and tail-light signatures – including a full-width rear light bar – plus two new 18- and 19-inch alloy wheel designs, a new exterior paint hue and a reshaped rear diffuser with the option of larger quad exhaust outlets.

Two new exterior styling packs are now on offer in selected markets: the ‘Dark Package’, gracing the rear diffuser, exhaust tips and badging with a gloss black finish, and the ‘Black Package’, which adds 19-inch black alloy wheels, a rear lip spoiler and black mirror caps and front fender trim.

The faux bonnet vents previously standard across the Stinger range will now be exclusive to V6-powered variants – and still fake.

Headlining the changes inside the cabin is a larger 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and satellite navigation, complemented by the addition of a 4.2-inch driver information display in the instrument cluster as a more affordable alternative to the existing 7.0-inch unit.

A 64-colour ambient LED lighting system is now available, while a Remote Engine Start feature can be optioned on overseas models.

 

Drive

Interior materials have also seen an upgrade, with new trim options including quilted nappa leather and black leather/suede combination upholstery with red stitching on offer for international customers.

Kia has bolstered the Stinger’s safety suite with the addition of a range of new technologies, including Safe Exit Warning (preventing doors from being opened into oncoming cyclists/traffic), semi-autonomous Highway Driving Assist (combining adaptive cruise control and updated lane-keeping assist), Rear Occupant Alert (notifying drivers of passengers/pets left in the rear seats), and a Blind-Spot View Monitor (projecting a camera feed from the side mirrors onto the instrument cluster display).

A range of updates have been made to the Stinger’s existing safety suite: cyclist detection and support for intersections have been added to the autonomous emergency braking system, the adaptive cruise control now uses navigation data to slow the car for corners, the driver-attention monitoring system can function at speeds up to an Autobahn-friendly 210km/h, while the blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert systems are now able to brake to avoid hazards.

 

When will the 2021 Kia Stinger come to Australia?

The refreshed 2021 Kia Stinger is scheduled to touch down in Australia in the fourth quarter of 2020. Local pricing and specifications will be announced closer to launch.

Drive
Alex Misoyannis

Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family.

Read more about Alex MisoyannisLinkIcon
Chat with us!







Chat with Agent