We are all well aware that Kia is committed to all-electric models in the future, with the reveal of the EV6 a couple of months ago being the latest step in that direction.
This distinct looking model is gathering a ton of interest, thanks in large part to its cool features and outstanding performance.
The interest in the carmaker’s brand-new all-electric crossover is high, which is perhaps not that surprising given what we know about it.
The brand new Kia EV6 GT model comes as an AWD only and generates 576 HP and 538 lb.-ft. of torque, as well as the ability to go from 0-60 mph in a mere 3.5 seconds.
While those numbers are all very exciting, it does make you wonder what they mean for other performance models, most notably the Stinger, in the Kia lineup.
Will there still be a market for those models as the Kia EV lineup continues to grow in the near future?
Kia EV6 GT is quicker than many sports cars
Car Advice, an automotive magazine based in Australia, recently wrote about how well Stinger has performed for Kia.
Damien Meredith, head of Kia Australia, stated that they were delighted with the performance edge that the Stinger added to the Kia brand, but he also admitted that the company is looking forward instead of in the rearview.
He specifically spoke about the performance numbers delivered by the new Kia EV6 and how they might make the Stinger look a little less flashy in comparison.
The Kia Stinger is immediately different from the Kia EV6 in that it sends power to the rear wheels, delivering 368 horsepower and 376 lb.-ft. of torque. By most standards, those numbers are impressive, but they are not nearly as good as the performance of the EV6.
Will Kia Stinger be replaced by the EV6?
With all of that in mind, you might well believe that the writing is on the wall for the Kia Stinger.
It’s not quite time to completely write it off just yet, though, as there are several special editions of the 2022 Kia Stinger waiting in the wings for release.
It would be sad to see the Stinger retired at some point, as it is certainly one of the cooler looking models in the Kia US lineup and a definite fan favorite.
Perhaps Kia will offer up an all-electric version of the Stinger down the line.
That said, the styling of the EV6 is set to influence upcoming models, which might prove to be problematic for the Stinger. It’s all conjecture at this point, but what we do know is that the 2022 Kia EV6 is going to up the ante in the all-electric market.
That is one hell of a ride. Also I just found out Mazda by 2025 will compete with the EV6 GT and Mustang Mach e as well. Unlike Hyundai though who made their EMP platform from scratch, Mazda’s lazy self will get its platform from Toyota which is partnered with Tesla. That’s easy to do.
And unlike the Kia EV6 design, all Mazda is going to do is keep that CX-5 design and place that Toyota Platfrom under the hood.
Rumour
I hear Ford and Toyota bought some Tellurides and Sorentos to take back to their R&D to see how they work.
I also hear that Mazda bought a few Stingers to take back to their R&D as well.