The Kia Stinger, although discontinued, left a lasting impression as a performance car during its single-generation run. Recent leaks suggest that Kia is not finished with the Stinger lineage, with plans for an all-electric replacement sedan, dubbed the EV8, already in development.
Kia’s leaked Union New Car Production Schedule reveals details about the upcoming EV8. Codenamed GT1, this electric vehicle will utilize Hyundai Motor Company’s next-gen eM platform, a step forward from the current E-GMP platform seen in models like the Kia EV6 and EV9. The flexibility of this platform may also extend to other vehicles, such as the Genesis GV90.
Anticipated to feature a 113.2 kWh battery pack, a notable increase from the EV9’s 99.8 kWh, the EV8 promises an impressive all-electric range of 435 to 497 miles, putting it in league with top performers like the Lucid Air.
Performance-wise, the EV8 is rumored to boast 612 horsepower, derived from a combination of a 268 hp front motor and a 449 hp rear motor – a significant leap from the twin-turbo V6-powered Stinger.
In terms of comparison with existing Kia performance EVs, the EV8 is expected to outperform the EV6 GT by about 35 horsepower, offering both single- and dual-motor options for rear- and all-wheel drive configurations at different price points.
The leaked document indicates that production of the Stinger replacement will commence at Kia’s Hwaseong Plant 3 by 2026, although production could potentially be distributed across other locations. Notably, Kia’s decision to manufacture EVs in Georgia starting in 2025 aims to benefit from the full $7,500 EV tax credit.
With the legacy of the Stinger in mind, expectations are high for the EV8. While Kia has positioned the EV6 GT as the spiritual successor to the Stinger GT, the true test will be whether the EV8 can truly inherit and build upon its predecessor’s success.
