2021 Kia Stinger spied undisguised

Kia’s facelifted Stinger is gradually taking shape.

Spy photos from Korean Car Blogshow the undisguised rear of the four-door lift back, revealing its new sports exhaust and reworked lights.

Changes to the body will be subtle, but Kia has reworked the lights to feature a more prominent red band across the boot lid, and new horizontal graphics on each side.

The Stinger badge is prominently displayed on the boot lid, although that could just be a Korean-market styling touch instead of a global move. A number of local owners have had the Stinger script added to their cars after delivery to mimic the current Korean Stinger.

Previous spy photos have revealed the Stinger will feature an evolutionary look at the front end.

Although rumours are swirling about updated or new powertrains for the car overseas, Australia will get carryover engines for 2021.

Kia Motors Australia has confirmed the updated Stinger – due to launch by year’s end – will use the current model’s turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder and twin-turbocharged 3.3-litre V6 engines.

The smaller option currently has 182kW and 353Nm, while the range-topping V6 pumps out 272kW and 510Nm.