Here Comes The Stinger

The Commodore’s move to European production and the death of the Falcon are paving the way for other manufacturers to infiltrate Australia’s mainstream four-door sedan market. And Kia is leading the way with its new Stinger, set to arrive later this year.

Kia Australia isn’t shying away from the obvious comparisons: its Stinger four-door sedan is targeting the Commodore and Falcon market when it launches in Australia.

The Stinger is due to arrive in Australian showrooms in September, at a time when local production of the V8-powered Commodore ends.

The Stinger will join Hyundai’s Genesis as recent arrivals in the large rear-wheel drive sedan market, with dimensions comparable to the Commodores and Falcons, at a time when Holden turns its attention to the European-built Insignia-based imported Commodore and Ford’s Mustang takes over as the brand’s performance model.

The Stinger GT features a twin-turbo V6. And while the American-based Genesis is on the market with a five-litre V8 option, the Australian edition runs a 3.8litre V6.

“We certainly see an opportunity there and genuinely believe this car will appeal to similar buyers,” said Kia Motors Australia media and corporate communications general manager Kevin Hepworth on the gap in the market.

“It’s the rear-wheel drive, that’s what’s going to offer what the market doesn’t have anymore.

“For 40 years Ford and Holden have been doing the preliminary work saying that, ‘If you want to drive a ‘real’ car, it’s got to be a rear-wheel-drive car’. Well, okay, we’ve got one. Do you?