The car that quietly departed has unexpectedly come back … in a louder, but very limited showing.

KIA’S Stinger sports sedan has returned … so it can be formally farewelled, by way of a special edition.

The factory’s national distributor has achieved a last hurrah derivative of the rear-drive performance model that is exclusive and expensive.

The Tribute Edition, which appears to draw off the V6 GT Sport we’ve known but with a bespoke specification, limits to an international build of 1000 units of which just four units are availing here. 

The $94,990 price, which includes a four-year service plan, looks to be about $20,000 above the full recommended retail the GT Sport held before it and the cheaper alternate four-cylinder GT Line were eased out of national circulation last year.

The Tribute Edition is effectively all about the look. The 3.3-litre twin turbo V6 retains the same 274kW and 510Nm tune and eight-speed automatic as the regular car has had since a 2021 update and there’s no suggestion of additional dynamic enhancement.

Stinger arrived in 2018 with the V6 presenting as a Korean alternate to rear-drive six and eight cylinder performance cars that had once been such strong sellers for Ford Australia and Holden but were by then all but in retirement. 

Although it and the four-cylinder 2.0-litre were well-received by media, the petrolhead buyer set seemed more reserved – on this side of the Tasman. In Australia, Stinger had periods of high attraction, though one big sales lift came from it being chosen as a police highway cruiser. Ironically, our neighbour has missed out on the Tribute Edition.

Stinger will be remembered as the first Kia to hit 100kmh in less than five seconds but now Kia has a whole new performance flagship running to an electric beat, the EV6, which is winning much stronger reaction and is much quicker: The EV6 GT hits the legal open road limit from a standing start in 3.5 seconds. It also packs 430kW.

NZ was not alone in not achieving as much from Stinger as Kia might have hoped. It did not do well in any of the target markets, most notably North America.

Reports about it being for the chop started to come out in 2021, when media in South Korea reckoned the sole production line near Seoul was being retooled for mass electrification.

That didn’t happen as quickly as was predicted – and the car’s demise was only confirmed last December - but it is understood the final Stinger was built last month.

Kia NZ has a more rose-tinted view of Stinger’s status, with Kia NZ managing director Todd McDonald reckoning it had great credentials, gave “the traditional rear-wheel drive competition a real shake up” and developed “a cult following, attracting new buyers to the brand with every model update.”

He said Kia NZ was very fortunate to have been allocated four cars. “Knowing Kiwi’s love of performance machines (we) anticipate these final examples will be snapped up in no time.”

The Tribute Edition’s signature colour here is a matt hue, Moonscape Matte Grey.  The wing mirrors, 19-inch alloy wheels and brake calipers are in black.

 The interior also has black-coloured parts and there is also extensive use of Terracotta Brown colour on seat, door trim and stitch decoration thread, all of which contributes to creating a luxurious atmosphere, Kia claims.

The headrests carry a Hornet logo - a literal expression of the Stinger, says Kia - while a bespoke numbered door scuff on the driver and front passenger side provides another visual reminder of exclusivity.

“This new and exclusive Tribute Edition retires the Stinger nameplate with the accolades it so richly deserves,” says McDonald.

“It’s a fitting farewell to a model which put Kia firmly on the world’s stage when it came to performance vehicles.

“Electric is the future, but there is something special about sending the Stinger out in style with the Tribute Edition.”