Motor Trend Ignition Review - Stinger GT RWD

[AJL13]

The Stinger GT is not a track car. It was never meant to be. The Q50 also doesn't "ride like a Buick" on your daily commute or road trip.

RS400 vs. Stinger GT:

• 133 lbs. lighter
• +35 hp
• - 28 tq
• wheelbase is 2 inches less
• width is 2 inches less

Performance Increase:

• 3 tenths faster to 60
• 2 tenths and 2 mph faster in the ¼ mile
• one more speaker in the audio system

It also losses you some options:

• HUD
• Ventilated Seats
• Android Auto
• Apple Carplay
• Heated Rear Seats
• Wireless phone charging

Not feeling the "bang for the buck" with 8 grand* (or a couple hundred a month) extra resulting in a net gain of a few tenths.......

* if the Stinger GT RWD ends up being 50K

For the brand-centric types, it's going to make a difference if you buy into the idea that Infiniti is a better product than Kia, which a lot do. As I said before, it'll be a moot point if a base GT can be had in the low $40K range because then you are looking at the GT not really having a direct competitor in its price range, unless you think someone will be cross shopping an entry-level Q50/IS/4 Series, in which the GT trumps soundly.

 

[BahamaTodd]

Doing a quick bit of simple math would reveal that the Stinger GT has a better power/weight ratio than both of those cars. Either the GT is sprung and laden like a 70s buick, or the track in question is a bullring.

Speaking of, from Motor Trend's article:
http://www.motortrend.com/cars/kia/stinger/2018/2018-kia-stinger-gt-first-test-review/

“The springs and shocks that control vertical motion are quite soft,” Randy said. “But transitional responses are quite well-controlled, likely by relatively strong anti-roll bars, and the ride is still quite compliant. Think ‘older Buick’ ride quality. Surprising for a sport sedan like this.”

But it also seems that track time wasn't with a US spec car:

Kia’s press cars at the moment are all preproduction prototypes, and the first car they gave us suffered a power steering failure and had to be replaced. The second car, as it turns out, hadn’t yet had its U.S.-spec springs and dampers installed, and it exhibited considerably more body roll and understeer on the track than the first car. As a result, Randy posted a lap time—1:28.90—that he felt wasn’t representative of what the car could do. With a properly equipped car, Randy believes he could subtract a full second.

 

[AJL13]

Speaking of, from Motor Trend's article:
http://www.motortrend.com/cars/kia/stinger/2018/2018-kia-stinger-gt-first-test-review/


But it also seems that track time wasn't with a US spec car:

We'll probably have to wait for a full-on production model comparo test to get definitive answers in regards to its trackworthiness. Looking forward to it!

 

[Bamm1]

For the brand-centric types, it's going to make a difference if you buy into the idea that Infiniti is a better product than Kia, which a lot do. As I said before, it'll be a moot point if a base GT can be had in the low $40K range because then you are looking at the GT not really having a direct competitor in its price range, unless you think someone will be cross shopping an entry-level Q50/IS/4 Series, in which the GT trumps soundly.

I also don't think the Infiniti badge is worth 8 grand either. No matter how cool people will think I am when they see me driving one.

For the Stinger to be a success the "loaded" top trim GT needs to trounce the starting price of the established luxury brands. Equal to (or getting within a few grand of) the converted CAD price should be the target. Don't play games "hoping" ending the price where the others start is going to be a winner on content. Cut them off at the knees.

 

[BahamaTodd]

Video is up on Youtube. Would be nice to be able to edit the original post.

 

[davebo]

Mmm, a good watch and I've always enjoyed Randy Pobst, but the whole incredulity at this car being a KIA is getting old. I know it's the first sporty RWD sedan they've done but the 2.0t has been around for a while now and that's no slouch. People still act like all Kia's been doing the past 20 years is making the Sephia. They sniped Schreyer in what, 2007, with the 2011 Optima being the first big change? I guess it takes a while for perception to adapt.

 

[Bamm1]

Video is up on Youtube. Would be nice to be able to edit the original post.

I posted the video separately here: https://stingerforum.org/threads/motor-trend-ignition-ep-181-kia-stinger-full-episode.700/#post-5139

Edit: Should have amended this thread. My apologies.

Mmm, a good watch and I've always enjoyed Randy Pobst, but the whole incredulity at this car being a KIA is getting old. I know it's the first sporty RWD sedan they've done but the 2.0t has been around for a while now and that's no slouch. People still act like all Kia's been doing the past 20 years is making the Sephia. They sniped Schreyer in what, 2007, with the 2011 Optima being the first big change? I guess it takes a while for perception to adapt.

Sadly the "average consumer" still sees the brand as it was way back when it entered the US market. Kia brought over some terrible cars back in the day and are still living with the consequences of that to this day.

 

[BahamaTodd]

This post is about the ignition video, but it was only available on Motor Trends subscription service.

 

[Bamm1]

This post is about the ignition video, but it was only available on Motor Trends subscription service.

Sorry for my confusing post. I edited it to put myself on blast for not searching for this thread and updating it.