Tuesday, February 27, 2018

KIA MOTORS’ “STINGER EXPERIENCE” TEST DRIVE EVENTS PUT CONSUMERS BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THE HIGHEST PERFORMING VEHICLE IN COMPANY HISTORY



Performance-Oriented Non-Retail Environment Will Allow Consumers in Nine Markets to Compare Stinger GT with Lauded Sport Sedans from Germany


  • Kia’s “Stinger Experience” provides hands-on driving experience, including a 0-60 mile per hour sprint and an autocross-inspired driving course
  • Consumers can register at KiaStingerExperience.com 1 to put Kia’s all-new Stinger to the test back-to-back against vehicles from Audi, BMW and Porsche

IRVINE, Calif., February 23, 2018 – Over the last month the all-new Kia Stinger has been named “Vehicle of the Year” by Roadshow by CNET, “Best of the Year” by MotorWeek, and urged people to “Feel Something Again – a State of Mind” in in Kia Motors’ Super Bowl ad.  Now, Kia is ready to show consumers and enthusiasts what all the hype is about with the performance-oriented “Stinger Experience” test drive events in select cities nationwide.  Accompanied by professional driving instructors, Stinger Experience participants will take on several dynamic challenges in the Stinger GT, as well as in the Audi A5, BMW 640i Gran Coupe and Porsche Panamera, through various dynamic exercises, including a 0-60 MPH acceleration run, cornering tests and a slalom course.

“With a faster top-speed and 0-60 time than a six-cylinder Porsche Panamera, the Stinger GT is like nothing anyone has ever seen from Kia before and must be driven to be fully appreciated and understood,” said Saad Chehab, vice president, marketing communications, Kia Motors America. “The Stinger Experience gives people an opportunity to see and feel for themselves just how far Kia has come, and that the Stinger can hold its head high against some of the best that Germany has to offer.”

The Stinger Experience tour schedule includes stops in Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix, and Washington, D.C. While there are no direct sales opportunities at the Stinger Experiences, on-site specialists can refer those interested in purchasing a Stinger to one of Kia’s nearly 800 dealerships nationwide.

Designed in Frankfurt and developed on Germany’s famed Nürburgring under the watchful eyes of two auto industry legends – Peter Schreyer, Kia Motors’ chief design officer, and Albert Biermann, president and head of vehicle test and high-performance development – the Stinger delivers head-turning design, premium amenities and heart-pounding power at an incredibly value-packed price. Available in both rear- and all-wheel-drive, the Stinger GT trim, with its twin-turbo V6, produces 365 horsepower and pushes the sports sedan to a top speed of 167 miles per hour and from zero to 60 miles per hour in 4.7 seconds2.

* The Sorento and Optima GDI (EX, SX & Limited and certain LX Trims only) are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

KIA STINGER NAMED AS BEST OF THE YEAR IN MOTORWEEK 2018 DRIVERS’ CHOICE AWARDS



 Hot-blooded Gran Turismo Also Takes Top Honor in Best Sport Sedan Category

Stinger lauded for bringing innovation and value to the market
MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice Awards examine vehicles from a buyer’s point of view

IRVINE, Calif., February 9, 2018 – The Kia Stinger has been named as Best of the Year in MotorWeek’s 2018 Drivers’ Choice Awards, the top honor given amongst the 14-category program.  The accolade is just the latest in a long string of acknowledgments for Stinger, which went on sale late last year and is redefining a staid sport sedan segment previously occupied by more expensive offerings from Germany.   The awards, now in their 36thyear, recognize vehicles for bringing innovation and value to the car-buying public.

“What’s innovative about Stinger isn’t its extraordinary handling, drop-dead style or eye-popping performance; that’s expected in this segment and Stinger delivers on every front,” said Orth Hedrick, vice president, product planning, Kia Motors America (KMA).  “What’s innovative is that we brought this car to market at such a tremendous value and it’s an honor to be recognized by the MotorWeek editorial staff for this accomplishment.”  The Stinger has a base price of just $31,900 (not including destination charges of $900).1

The MotorWeek Drivers' Choice Awards are consumer focused and the winners represent the best automotive picks within a large range of lifestyles.  As television’s original automotive magazine series, MotorWeek's editorial staff evaluates more than 150 cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles per year, and winners are chosen based on driving dynamics, performance, technology, practicality, fuel efficiency and dollar value.

“Our annual Drivers’ Choice Awards look at vehicles from a buyer’s point of view.  We are aware of trends and innovations, and they play a large part in our selection process,” said MotorWeek host, John Davis.  “We also understand that consumers want value and reliability and that’s where we believe the Kia Stinger hits the sweet spot.  It’s practical, great to look at, and can be a performance car or an everyday driver, depending on who’s behind the wheel.  Our aim is to produce a list of winners that makes sense, and can be used as a practical guide for car shopping.”  MotorWeek is a production of Maryland Public Television and is seen nationwide on the PBS broadcast network and on the Velocity cable network.

About Kia Motor America

Headquartered in Irvine, California, Kia Motors America continues to top quality surveys and is recognized as one of the 100 Best Global Brands and 50 Best Global Green Brands by Interbrand.   Kia serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA and LPGA and offers a complete range of vehicles sold through a network of nearly 800 dealers in the U.S., including cars and SUVs proudly built in West Point, Georgia.* 

For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.  To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert.

* The Sorento and Optima GDI (EX, SX & Limited and certain LX Trims only) are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.
1 MSRP excludes destination and handling, taxes, title, license fees, options and retailer charges.  Actual prices set by retailer and may vary.

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