In just one week I’ll be jetting off to Hollywood to meet up with my Kia family for the biggest arrival of 2017, the Kia Stinger National Media Event. I guess you can say it’s like showing up at the birth of a new family member. I’ve been supporting Kia’s latest addition to the family all year. So being a part of this event is super exciting for me. Over the course of three days, I’ll be getting together with the Kia fam at the beautifully designed retro-chic boutique hotel, The Garland, attending the Kia Stinger national press conference and driving the all-new Stinger from Hollywood through the Angeles National Forest.

 

Where to Follow

 

I’ll be sharing the adventure on my Instagram @heroesandunicorns and Twitter @FairytaleTVLR so be sure to follow #StingerIsHere for the latest real-time coverage of America’s hottest wheels on the road. This is going to be EPIC!

 

The Fairytale Traveler and Kia – Why I Work With Kia Over Other Brands

 

If you’ve been following me this past year then you know how much I love Kia. I am a proud Kia Sorento owner and have been for the last two years. I love everything about the Kia brand both as a company and as a product. I feel like I see a different side of the brand as a blogger, a side that is driven by passion, commitment to quality and affordability. I’ve been able to gain an inside look at many of the Kia products. My commitment to my readers to explore to great lengths the cars that fit my lifestyle the most. So you can expect a heavy focus on products like the Sorento, Niro Hybrid and soon the Niro Plug-in Hybrid as well as the Kia Soul EV and EV PLug-in and the all-new Stinger. I’ve spent the whole year with the 2017 Kia Niro Hybrid and I’m proud of that.

 

About the Kia Stinger Launch

 

2018 Kia Stinger
2018 Stinger Photo: Kia

 

I am so proud to be a part of this launch. Having seen the Kia Stinger from its earliest stages. I can’t wait to get behind the wheel to show you EVERYTHING the Kia Stinger is bringing to drivers.

 

Not only is the Stinger SEXY AF, it’s built with a personal design for the driver. I learned all about this back in NYC when I attended the New York International Auto Show. While sitting in the Stinger with the National Manager of Product Communications, James Hope, I was told it was all about the design.

 

The Kia Stinger was designed specifically with driving pleasure in mind.” -James Hope

 

 

 

A true gran turismo, a car for spirited long-distance driving, is not about outright power, hard-edged dynamics, and brutal styling, all at the expense of luxury, comfort and grace,”  

 

The Stinger has nothing to do with being the first to arrive at the destination – this car is all about the journey.  It’s about passion.” -Chief designer at Kia Motors Europe, Gregory Guillaume

 

Kia Stinger
From my visit to the New York International Auto Show
Kia Stinger
From my visit to the New York International Auto Show
Kia Stinger
From my visit to the New York International Auto Show
Kia Stinger
From my visit to the New York International Auto Show

 

About the Kia Stinger from the Press Release with Gallery

 

When I first laid eyes on the Kia Stinger in New York I was basically stuttering the words out of mouth about how beautiful and sleek it was. My first reaction to it was that a Jaguar and a BMW had a baby and an Aston Martin and a Ford Shelby had a baby, and those two babies had a baby that was the Kia Stinger. Yeah. That all happened. But since I’m not a fancy auto writer (but more of a bring it to you real legit blogger), I think Kia says it best in their press release.

 

Ushering in a new dynamic era for Kia Motors, the all-new 2018 Stinger is the culmination of a years-long journey fueled by the company’s bold and adventurous spirit. A five-passenger sportback poised to redefine a segment currently populated by European automakers, the Stinger promises to be the highest-performance production vehicle in the company’s history and is backed by Kia’s industry-leading quality and reliability. Offered with multiple engines and drivetrain configurations and luxurious accommodations, the Stinger is planned to go on sale in the U.S. in December.”

 

So Jag, BMW, Aston Martin, Ford Shelby… baby…

 

2018 Kia Stinger
2018 Stinger Photo: Kia
2018 Kia Stinger
2018 Stinger Photo: Kia
2018 Kia Stinger
2018 Stinger Photo: Kia
2018 Kia Stinger
2018 Stinger Photo: Kia
2018 Kia Stinger
2018 Stinger Photo: Kia

 

About My Upcoming Visit to Hollywood Nov. 13 – 15 #StingerIsHere

 

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It’s always a good time when I get to meet up with the Kia family. I’m fortunate to work with many of the same bloggers every time while getting to meet new ones. And the marketing team at Kia always goes above and beyond to make sure we are well taken care of. So what are we getting into this time?

 

The Garland Hotel (Photos via the Garland)

 

We’ll be staying at the 70’s styled mid-mod hotel, The Garland located in the heart of North Hollywood (and just around the corner from the Brady Bunch House which makes me giddy). The Garland was built in 1972 by the late Beverly Garland (My Three Sons, DOA), and has stayed in the family since. I can’t wait to see all the contemporary flare mixed with retro chic. This is basically going to be like a dream hotel for me.

 

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National Press Conference #StingerIsHere Nov. 14th time TBD (in the am)

 

Be sure to tune into my Twitter channel @fairytaleTVLR for the live details from the Kia Stinger Press Conference. Car enthusiasts won’t want to miss this. I’ll be asking questions about the Stinger and getting answers from the team behind the dream. If you have any questions I encourage you to ask them here!

 

2018 Kia Stinger GT2 RWD & 2018 Kia Stinger GT2 AWD
2018 Kia Stinger GT2 RWD & 2018 Kia Stinger GT2 AWD Photo: Kia

 

Kia Stinger Drive Through Angeles National Forest Nov. 14th time TBD

 

After the Stinger press conference, I’ll be teaming up with my #GeekGirlTravel partner in crime Emma Loggins of Fanbolt.com and WomensBusinessDaily.com and getting behind the wheel! We’ll be driving through the mountains in the Angeles National Forest known for its peaks, wildlife, and scenic highway.

 

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IMG source Vijay Somalinga

This event is going to be a lot of fun. I can’t wait to finally get behind the wheel of the Kia Stinger and make that kitty purr. Be sure to follow along! And, as always, if you have any questions leave them in the comments below! I’ll here to bring you the deets, so don’t be shy!

 

See you in Hollywood!

 

Special thanks to Kia Motors America for sending me on an all-expense paid trip to Hollywood to experience the Kia Stinger. This doesn’t shape my opinions.
Author

Christa Thompson is the Founder and Chief Editor of The Fairytale Traveler. She started traveling the world in 2003 when she attended a summer abroad study at the University of Cambridge in England. Since then, her wanderlust has been fierce. Her three passions in life are her son, traveling, and being creative. The Fairytale Traveler brand gives Christa the opportunity to do all of these things and to live intentionally every day. "It's never too late to believe in what you love and to pursue your dreams." -Christa Thompson

6 Comments

  1. Brian Hinson Reply

    I’m a salesperson at Rick Case Kia in Atlanta, and I’d like to know three things about the Stinger that you may or may not be able to find out:
    1. What week in December should we expect them to arrive?
    2. About how many units will arrive in the first shipment to the US (and metro Atlanta in particular)?
    3. Will there be any cash back or lease incentives for the Stinger in December?
    Thanks, and have a great time in Hollywood!

  2. Brian Hinson Reply

    One more question for you to ask: will Kia make the Stinger available for World Challenge endurance car racing?

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