2023 Stinger Final Edition

It had a good 6-year run. But it is time for Jackson Kia and the rest of the world to bid farewell to the Kia Stinger sports sedan. Kia is helping the Stinger go out with style by offering the Stinger Tribute Limited Edition. The model will feature exclusive exterior and interior trim and will be equipped with the most powerful drivetrain.

From Concept to Surprise Production Model

The Stinger traces its history back to the 2014 North American International Auto Show in Detroit with a show vehicle called the GT4 Stinger Concept. As a rakish two-door coupe with a cantilevered roof, bright-as-the-sun orange paint, massive wheels with almost no suspension travel, and many other too-rad-for production bits,  it looked every bit the concept car that gets shown for a year and then is forgotten. But journalists couldn’t help but notice how specific Kia was about the drivetrain and how they lined up with those of Genesis models. 

Three years later, at the same show, Kia surprised the world with the production Stinger. Though a four-door sedan, it retained the low, wide stance of the concept and proportions that fit its front-engine, rear-drive configuration. It was available with a choice of two engines: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produced 252 hp; and a 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 engine that was good for 365 hp at 6,000 rpm and 376 lb-ft of torque from 1,300-4,500 rpm. The car was available in both rear-wheel and all-wheel drive. These were the same mechanicals that drove its more expensive Genesis G70 cousin, and many comparisons were made between the two.

It was always going to be a niche vehicle, but still, over 65,000 Stingers were enthusiastically purchased since the vehicle’s launch. Over the years, the smaller engine was bumped up to 2.5 liters to produce 300 horsepower, while the V6 was bumped up to 368 horsepower. But since that time, the EV6 GT brought a whole new level of high performance in a similar-sized package.

“While it may be the end of the road for Stinger, its legacy lives on through our innovative products, both current and forthcoming,” said Steven Center, COO & EVP, Kia America. “A catalyst that set off Kia’s advancements in engineering and driving dynamics, the Stinger ultimately put the brand on the map among enthusiast drivers. Thanks to our learnings from the Stinger, we were able to develop adrenaline-inducing products like the EV6 GT – which recently won the 2023 World Performance Car of the Year award – so giving it a proper send-off with this commemorative edition felt absolutely necessary.”

Exclusive Appearance Details

The Stinger Tribute Limited Edition will truly be limited, with about 1000 vehicles produced overall, only 440 of which will be coming to the United States. All Tribute Limited Editions will be equipped with the 3.3-liter twin-turbocharged engine, but the choice of rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive remains. The models will be available in either the existing Ascot Green or an exclusive Steel Matte Gray. The exterior will feature a blacked-out finish for the side mirrors, exhaust outlets, Tribute Edition-exclusive 19-inch wheels, and Brembo brake calipers. 

The interior impresses with Terracotta Nappa leather-trimmed seats embossed with a custom logo. The headliner has a suede-like surface, and other interior trim has a carbon-fiber appearance. On the driver’s door sill will be a numbered Stinger Tribute Edition plate.

“We want to give our loyal customers a jump on the opportunity to own this ultra-exclusive Stinger Tribute Edition,” said Eric Watson, Vice President of Sales, Kia America. “By notifying them of the Stinger’s arrival first, along with hand raisers who have expressed interest in the iconic sport sedan, we anticipate this customer base will flock to dealers to snag the last of the Stingers.”

The starting MSRP for the Stinger Tribute Limited Edition is $53,390. There are more Kia dealers in the U.S. than there will be Tribute Limited Editions, so contact a Jackson Kia sales professional to get the last of this special sport sedan in your driveway.