Remember back when the new Kia Stinger was the highlight of the Kia America lineup? A sports car, from Kia? That was something we’ve been waiting for, and the automaker delivered. Calling it a “car that drives as good as it looks,” Kia really nailed it when it came to the Stinger. Models were flying off of dealership lots, we couldn’t keep a single unit of the Stinger GT at Miami Lakes Automall, and then suddenly, news about it vanished. Replacing the hype was the new Kia EV6, its first all-electric vehicle with no gasoline predecessor. For the 2022 model year, the Kia Stinger lineup has definitely shrunk, focusing on just two GT trims, and just in case it’s going out faster than it came, Kia America wants to release one more special edition – the new, ultra-exclusive, ultimate-specification Stinger Tribute Edition.

Wow, that sure sounds like a sendoff for a sports car if we ever heard of one. Why else would they need a “Tribute” edition unless the Kia Stinger is getting cancelled? Plus, the Stinger Tribute Edition will be limited to just 1,000 units worldwide. Nothing says “final” like a limited run of a car model. Kia claims the Tribute Edition pays homage to Kia’s high-performance vision, but the automaker doesn’t seem to be backing down on performance. If anything, they’re working towards making high-performance vehicles possible while also being purely electric. What is true, is nobody thought of “performance” when they heard “Kia” until the Kia Stinger came into the picture.

“The Stinger Tribute Edition denotes an important chapter in the story of Kia’s high-performance ethos. Featuring an exclusive color and interior trim never before seen on the sedan, it also serves as a fitting celebration of the Stinger’s contribution to the Kia brand.” - Chang Sung Ryu, Senior Vice President and Head of Purchase CX Design Sub-division

With only two trims left for 2023, the Kia Stinger GT-Line and GT2, the Stinger Tribute is powered by the 3.3-litre twin-turbocharged V6 found under the hood of the GT2 trim. The GT-Line is powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, able to generate 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft. The GT2 has an output of 368 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque, so it makes sense that the Tribute edition would take after this trim. To make the Stinger Tribute Edition stand out, the body comes with a striking aesthetic appeal that keeps the sporty styling with the existing Ascot Green paint finish. A new color choice has been made available to consumers, a new Moonscape matte gray paint hue, and a black finish can be found on many tidbits, such as black housing of the exterior mirrors, black Brembo brake calipers, and the 19-inch gloss black design wheels.

The interior also gets some changes with material upgrades and styling cues taken carefully curated collection of Kia design. Always known as a spacious cabin with a lot to offer, the sports seat comes with Bespoke Terracotta brown leather, and the upgraded material extend to the steering wheel, door side trim, and door handles. The console comes with a carbon-effect finish to complement the new Terracotta leather. Also setting the Stinger Tribute edition a part from the other Stinger models is a newly introduced wasp-shaped emblem embedded into the headrest of the seats. Because this is a truly limited-edition model, a numbered door sill plate on the driver’s side states the unit number out of the 1000 units produced for this model, providing the driver with that extra authentication of exclusivity.

Features we also expect to return are the 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and Kia Connect, a heads-up display (HUD), the Harman Kardon premium audio system with 15 speakers, LED interior lighting, plus heated and ventilated front seats. A little luxury in a sports car goes a long way. These features are in the GT2, not just the Stinger Tribute Edition, so don’t worry if you don’t grab one of the 1000.

Want to get behind the wheel of the Kia Stinger sports car? Find yours when you shop for a new car online with NowCar.

Photo Source/Copyright: Kia Media