Strtaylor
Member
Id guess they will make it optional in the GT1 standard GT 2 but could be wrong . They do some crazy , random stuff .
Thanks for the info. I would rather skip the DIY when multiple sources are saying it should be there next year. Logical thing would be to wait for next year.As far as I can tell the wiring and system is there. Software looks to be the only issue I can think of. All of the new tech manuals are on tablets and getting an exact picture of the system is next to impossible. I called my Rep and was told 19' will be an earlyish release and should have surround view. I think the optima is the test subject for it. Id also guess this will be a way for them to change/up pricing pckgs . It does have HUD and the correct mirror wiring so I'd assume it's possible to DIY it but I'd imagine would be quite risky warranty wise. And programming for the satellite imagery could be a nightmare.
What year is your Optima SXL? I do love that car. I agree, it's not worth waiting to possibly get the surround view camera in the 2019 model. It sounds like the heated rear seats will be missed but that wouldn't be a deal breaker with me either...This is the biggest feature I'll miss from my Optima SXL, but not enough to wait for the 2019 model. My family will probably miss the heated rear seats more, but I don't sit in the back, so...![]()
Heated steering is definitely more important to me than the 360 cam, so much so, that I'm just going to go with AWD. I wish it didn't matter which version you got, but I don't see them changing that. Genesis does the same thing it seems.The heated steering wheel is the thing I want more than the around view camera. It has a back up camera and parking sensors front and rear so on that front I’m good. I prefer RWD to AWD so not having the heated wheel on the RWD version is going backwards in my opinion.
My Optima is the same way. I love it like that though. They're not quite as warm in my wife's vehicle and I find myself missing the extra heat.The heated steering wheel feature DEFINITELY heats the steering wheel. I've used it a couple of times but turned it off after the wheel warms enough. It can almost get hot. I feel that way about the seat warmers as well. Maybe I'm too sensitive for it. LOL
Did I mention that all aussie stinger GTs have the camera?Someone may have already answered this, but regarding "at what level" you get the 360 camera, it was an (EXPENSIVE) option on both the M3 and C43 AMG I was considering when I found out about the Stinger.
Agreed...EXCEPT all other markets have it and some at even lower price points so I feel the price augment is moot. If NO other markets had it...you are spot on.Someone may have already answered this, but regarding "at what level" you get the 360 camera, it was an (EXPENSIVE) option on both the M3 and C43 AMG I was considering when I found out about the Stinger.
Agreed...EXCEPT all other markets have it and some at even lower price points so I feel the price augment is moot. If NO other markets had it...you are spot on.
I considered the possibility that the Stinger was missing a few features here in the U.S. to allow some breathing room for the Genesis G70 to be more expensive. However, it's taking Genesis so long to bring out the car that I have a feeling the 2019 Stinger - which is supposably being released earlier than usual in the year - will be showing it's face at around the same time. This might mean even the 2019 Stinger doesn't have these options - otherwise Genesis won't be able to sell their car for a higher price. Then again, perhaps the Stinger and G70 will cost about the same. I just don't see why that would be considering the G70 will be lighter, faster, have more power, be more luxurious, and come with better service.I think someone else on here summed the reasoning up in 1 word: Greed
Kia claims they were willing to not make much money on this vehicle because they were just that serious about making a big splash.
However, apparently that is not so much the goal in the United States. If you want anything outside of what they're offering, you'll have to just compromise or wait. There really is no particular logistical reason why most everyone else in the world is offered almost everything up front. You could say "Well maybe it's just the distance to the West". However, they can ship various features to Australia. Also, our neighbors in Canada get a better configuration right next door. So it's obvious they "can" do it, but are simply choosing not to. And in fact, they are actually going out of they're way to omit features for the US (changing panels etc.)
Rather than just say "Greed", I actually gave them the benefit of the doubt that maybe it had something to do with the Genesis launch and wanting to stay out of their lane at least at the beginning, but who knows. I can't think of any other reasons, but I think they sell Genesis in Canada too and still didn't limit the Stinger features as much.