Comments by "Stephen Hendricks" (@stephenhendricks103) on "" video.

  1. If true, it's a sad though understandable decision. I was hopeful that the significantly improved GT-Line with the new 2.5L turbo and vastly better performance than the 2.0L 4 it had shared with the (still not updated) G70 would boost overall dismal sales. With the new engine, the GT-Lines 0-60 time was only about half a second slower than the twin turbo V6 trim levels. Combined with a significant weight savings and a bargain MSRP ($40,590 for a fully loaded AWD version) I'd hoped it would help the dismal to mediocre sales throughout the Stinger's life. In some ways I think the Stinger has been cursed since its introduction. Initial reviews were extremely positive but KIA dealers were obviously unprepared to sell a sedan with an MSRP that approached $50,000 or more. It's worth noting that the introduction of the Stinger preceded the Telluride where sticker shock proved not to be an obstacle. But the Stinger was a true GT in the European tradition and few KIA salespeople even understood that or were prepared to sell such a vehicle. (The same was true of the Cadenza and the K900) . Further, I think the Stinger's name compounded the problem. Rather than evoking the image of a European GT sedan, it made it seem a rival to a Dodge Charger or Challenger, American muscle cars with V8 engine options that shared little with the Stinger as a "Grand Touring" GT. Furthermore, Americans have little experience with "GTs" in the European tradition. Even the trim designations of GT-Line, GT1, and GT2 were more likely to evoke images of the Mustang than a vehicle designed to carry 4-5 passengers comfortably at high speeds for hours in the manner of a European GT. In any event it's not surprising to see the sun setting on the Stinger though I'd hoped it would last for at least another couple of years. KIA obviously believes the future of their high performance vehicles, at least in the US, lies in the K6 portfolio and I think they're right. One sign of that trend is that last month the Mustang Mach-E outsold all other Mustang models put together for the first time. And that's before the high performance version of the Mach-E is even available.
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