April 25, 2024

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[THE INVESTOR] Kia Motors on March 30 said it plans to maintain its brand name for high-end performance models unlike its bigger sibling Hyundai Motor that uses the Genesis sub-brand for luxury sedans.

“It should be a Kia. We believe it’s powerful, right thing to do for us,” Gregory Guillaume, Kia’s chief designer in Europe, told The Investor at the Seoul Motor Show where the carmaker’s new sports sedan Stinger made its Asian debut.

 

Kia Motors' new sports sedan Stinger

The rear-drive Stinger, equipped with a 370 horsepower 3.3-liter twin turbo engine, is the fastest Kia car that accelerates from zero to 100 kilometers per hour within 4.9 seconds. A unique feature for Korean drivers is a separate emblem that aims to differentiate itself from other Kia cars.

Guillaume called driving stability at high speeds one of the key elements for the car’s overall styling that was largely inspired by GT cars in the 1970s.

“You have to be careful about how stable the car while speeding, especially in Germany where we are free to go very fast on the autobahn. How you design the car greatly influences those elements,” he said.

The car will hit the Korean market in May and then the US and Europe by the end of this year. The designer also showed expectations about the car’s possible launch in China even though no plans have been confirmed yet.

“Starting with the Stinger, Kia will further strengthen its premium lineup,” said President Park Han-woo during the unveiling event.

He hinted the upcoming K9, the carmaker’s flagship model, will come with a new name and carry a separate emblem next year.

By Ahn Sung-mi (sahn@heraldcorp.com)