2022 Kia Stinger detailed: Scorpion Special Edition adds extra sting to Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore-succeeding performance sedan

Kia has revealed a new special-edition of its Stinger rear-drive sedan, dubbed Scorpion, for the US market, which could herald a new variant for the Australian market due sometime later.

Speaking to CarsGuide, a Kia Australia spokesperson ruled out the Scorpion Special Edition for the local market, but said “Stinger will be around for a while yet, so [we] could offer a special edition in the future”.

Kia Australia has not been shy about limited-run variants of the Stinger in the past, launching the Carbon Edition and Night Sky grades in late 2019 and early 2020 respectively.

Limited to just 250 units a month in the US, the Scorpion Special Edition is available in the top-spec GT2 rear-wheel-drive trim, as well as with all-wheel-drive option that is not offered in Australia.

Differentiating the Scorpion from the standard Stinger, the special edition model scores blacked-out fender garnishes, mirror caps and exhaust outlets.

Three exterior hues – Snow White Pearl, Aurora Black and Ceramic Silver – are available, with a body colour-matched rear spoiler.

Inside, the Scorpion Special Edition is kitted out with carbon-fibre-pattern trim and a choice of red or black Nappa leather upholstery.

Available as an option pack on the top-spec GT2 grade, the Stinger Scorpion Special Edition is powered exclusively by a 3.3-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 engine, outputting 274kW, which sends drive to the road via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The US Stinger is also available with a less potent 2.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine, sending 224kW to the rear wheels via the same transmission.

Adding the Scorpion Special Edition pack to the Stinger adds $US1295 ($A1670) to the asking price, pushing pricing of the Stinger to $US52,565 ($A67,828).

In Australia meanwhile, the Stinger range opens at $50,050 before on-road costs for the 200S, which is powered by a 182kW/353Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine.

The local V6 line-up starts at $53,830 for the 330S and tops out at $63,760 for the GT grade – both powered by a 3.3-liter twin-turbo unit developing 274kW/510Nm.

Kia’s Stinger continues to sell well Down Under, with 615 new registrations in the first four months of 2021, a sizeable 20.4 per cent increase over the same period last year.

The only other rival in the large sedan class is the Skoda Superb, which has amassed 248 (+406.1%) sales so far this year.