Kia has reportedly scrapped plans to build an electric replacement for its Stinger liftback.
The Korean Car Blog reports word from unspecified industry sources that the new model – codenamed GT1, and mooted to wear the EV8 nameplate – won’t enter production.
It was reportedly set to share its eM platform with Genesis models, much as the now-defunct Stinger shares a platform with the Genesis G70.
The new electric vehicle (EV) platform will reportedly now be exclusive to Genesis models like the upcoming GV90, with Hyundai and Kia instead using a platform called eS.
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Stinger
A leaked union production schedule from last year had indicated the GT1 would enter production in Korea in 2026.
It was also reportedly set to replace not only the Stinger, but also the tamer, front-wheel drive K8 large sedan.
In range-topping guise, the GT1 was reportedly set to combine 200kW front and 250kW rear electric motors for a total system output of 450kW, just pipping the EV6 GT’s 430kW output.
It was also set to use Kia’s largest battery yet, a 113.2kWh unit, good for between 700 and 800km of range on an unspecified test cycle.
The GT1 was also reportedly set to be offered in a less powerful dual-motor all-wheel drive configuration with two 160kW electric motors for a total of 320kW, and a single-motor rear-wheel drive configuration with 160kW.
For reference, the defunct Stinger produced 182kW of power with its entry-level turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, 224kW with the 2.5-litre turbo four not offered here, and 274kW with its twin-turbocharged 3.3-litre V6.
With no GT1/EV8 forthcoming, that leaves the EV6 – ostensibly an SUV – as the Stinger’s replacement.
Indeed, Kia released a promotional video in 2023 commemorating the Stinger effectively passing the performance torch to the EV6.
The Stinger exited production in 2023 after sluggish sales in markets like Korea, Europe and the US.
In Australia, however, it was a more consistent seller, even enjoying a sales spike in its last full year on the market.
MORE: Everything Kia Stinger