Kia says no to N: No need for Hyundai-style sub-brand as 430kW EV6 and 274kW Stinger prepare to lead two very different worlds of performance

Kia in Australia has all but ruled out the introduction of a Hyundai N-style performance sub-brand in Australia, pointing instead to the incoming EV6 as the model that will deliver "performance sharpness" to the brand.

Speaking at the launch of its first electric vehicle in Australia - the Niro SUV, which is available in electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid configurations - Kia's Chief Operating Officer, Damien Meredith, also said that, while Hyundai focused on N, they had focused on the Stinger to deliver some performance punch.

In fact, Mr Meredith pointed to the fact the Stinger was still delivering some 160 sales per month as evidence it had done, and was still doing, its job.

(Hyundai) took a different direction, which is fine," he said.

"We got Stinger, and I think that we've probably optimised Stinger pretty well in terms of what it's done for the brand and how it's helped us, and we're still averaging about 160 a month, which is fantastic.

"It's been good on many fronts, and probably been at its best in regards to giving us a performance edge to out brand, which didn't have before."

Sales are strong for the Stinger so far this year, with Kia's performance vehicle shifting 615 units so far in 2021. Last year, a total 1778 found homes - about the same as in 2019.

But Mr Meredith also points to a very different vehicle to carry the performance torch in the future, saying the EV6 will be the "next step up" in future.

"The EV6 will be the next step up in regards to giving us that performance sharpness as a brand," he says.

The model he's referring to, we imagine, is the EV6 GT, which deliver some 430kW and 740Nm, sending that immense grunt to all four wheels for a sprint to 100km/h of just 3.5 seconds. What's more, the brand says you can travel more than 400km between charges.

While timing for the EV6 is yet to be revealed, we would expect to see something either late this year or early next.