Kia Stinger being evaluated for police and motorsport duties

Kia Australia is considering a production car racing tilt and local police fleet opportunities for its just-launched Stinger, while a higher-performance version of the rear-wheel-drive liftback is also anticipated.

Speaking at the Stinger's national media launch in Canberra last week, Kia Motors Australia (KMAu) chief operating officer Damien Meredith said supply will be constrained for the first two years of the new model's five-year lifecycle, with private buyers expected to account for 90 per cent of local sales.

As such, KMAu hopes to double its initial target of 3000 annual units to 6000 during the Stinger's final three years, while government and fleet sales remain a consideration, as well as an entry into motorsport that would promote the performance five-door.

KMAu's motorsport decision is due in late-2018, which is also when national and state police forces would be most keen for the Stinger.

“We’ve talked to everyone regarding motorsport, and we haven’t made a decision,” Mr Meredith said.

“If we did get involved with it, we would probably make that decision in the latter part of next year, but there’s a lot of bridges to cross before we get to that decision.

“We’re inexperienced in that area, firstly. Secondly, there is a huge commitment to it, not only financially but also emotionally. So there are a lot of things that we have to go through as an organisation before we make that decision.”

However, Mr Meredith ruled out a run in Australia's foremost native racing series, the Supercars Championship, which is currently backed by Holden and Nissan only after Ford and Volvo recently ended their involvement.

Six- or 12-hour production car racing appeal the most to KMAu, with Mr Meredith revealing: “All the discussions we’ve had have been about production car racing.”

KMAu's motorsport decision is due in late-2018, which is also when national and state police forces would be most keen for the Stinger because of their department cycles.

Despite finishing up production in October last year, Ford Falcons remain a part of several police fleets, which means home-grown Holden Commodores and Toyota Camrys will carry on for at least the next 18 months.

We have been giving the vehicle to every police department in Australia that wants it.

“It wouldn't be until 2019 to 2020 for them (police) to start getting orders for those cars (Stingers),” Mr Meredith said.

“Specifically for highway patrol, (but) if it’s for general duties it’s a little bit different.

“We have been giving the vehicle to every police department in Australia that wants it. If we signed up every police department in Australia, I think we’d be trying very, very hard to get those cars as soon as possible.”

Last week, Victoria Police announced BMW’s 530d sedan would be added to its highway patrol fleet, but KMAu general manager of product planning Roland Rivero confirmed the state had also expressed interest in the Stinger to be used in a “highway patrol and general duty” capacity.

Furthermore, Mr Rivero revealed “New South Wales have done extensive testing”, with Kia passing the same rigorous tests that tripped up a stock Ford Mustang GT last year when its braking and cooling was assessed.

After purchasing several Hyundai Sonatas for general duty capacity last year, Queensland Police has asked for examples of the Stinger fitted with the 182kW/353Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

“(They) wanted to sign it up right now, they wanted to beat every other state to it,” Mr Rivero said.

“The eastern states, (in particular) the eastern coast, there is a lot of interest.”

Albert Biermann himself has made no secret, he’s been quoted as saying he will be looking at a higher-performance (Stinger) that he will strictly oversee.

While the Stinger's other powerplant option, the 272kW/510Nm 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6, compares favourably with highway patrol's current Commodore SS and its 304kW/570Nm 6.2-litre atmo V8, KMAu's five-year growth plan for the model will not be restricted to motorsport and fleet expansion.

After recently developing the i30 N hot hatch, Hyundai Motor Company executive vice president and head of vehicle test and high performance development Albert Biermann will also be responsible for future Kia sportscar development, with local executives saying he has plans for the Stinger.

“Albert Biermann himself has made no secret, he’s been quoted as saying he will be looking at a higher-performance (Stinger) that he will strictly oversee and we won’t get a chance to touch,” Mr Rivero said.

“The timing of that is unknown, but he has made mention of that, and with a five-year life span of the Stinger – watch this space.”

Should Australian police forces add the Kia Stinger to their fleets? Tell us what you think in the comments below.