Stinger GT in Car and Driver's 2018 Lightning Lap!... didn't go great

[davebo]

What is this weird ass thread and even weirder review.... Who the hell is taking their kia stinger around a 4.1 mile race track? Not I. Ill see any of these cars at a red light lets see who finishes where...

Well Kia did go across the country promoting the Stinger by hosting free events where you drive it on tracks and autocross courses, so there's a lot more to it than doing drag races.

The throttle response changes when you change in to sport mode in the base GT, but there's no active suspension in that trim. Even though the GT2 gets knocked for it's suspension that's still too soft in sport, the GT is even worse, since the suspension doesn't have a sport mode.

Going back to this post, I did find that thread I was speaking about here:
Ride Comfort: GT vs GT1/GT2
In it, I notice two people who compared both saying that the suspension in a base GT seems a little stiffer than the GT1/GT2 in sport mode, so if they're to be believed then maybe that was the reason for them giving that model up for review on a track, although I still think the lack of an LSD cost it some time. I'd say the best solution would have been to give them the limited GT with both, but I doubt they'd want to promote a color that everyone has to return to get resprayed if you can even find one. 2019 GT's come with LSD's on all trims if I recall.

Edit: hah does this site automatically put limited slip differential in parentheses so people don't think we're talking about drugs?

 

[robz32]

As a note, they were using a GT, not GT1 or 2, so it doesn't have the fancy adjusting suspension. They were basically running in comfort suspension the whole time. The thing was never designed to be a track beast, but I wonder how much the suspension affected lap times.

Another reason why they had brake issues on top of what @CaliSting already said about the driver.

 

[CaliSting]

I believe the car they tested had an LSD. The non adjustable dampers I suspect are in between adjustable suspensions dampening profiles, Not quite as soft as adjustable but not as firm as sport. Still suspect lighter GT is a better track car than heavier GT2. Kia knew what they were doing by giving Randy a GT.

Just something to think about. A Stinger GT is same size as a ZL1 Camaro. Same length as Camaro, skinnier slightly longer wheelbase, weighs a few lbs less. We are much smaller and lighter than a Dodge Challenger Hellcat. Why is it so difficult to believe lighter smaller car than a Camaro or Challenger wouldn't be able to do OK on track? We know there are a few brave souls who have dragged the Stinger out to track and cars do ok. With some setup Stinger would be fine track car. Don't know why so many think its not capable of being fun car. I can tell you I drive a variety of race cars from Porsches to Nissans and Stinger does everything right on track. Yeah its big but there are capable big cars that run on track. Stinger is faster than a lot of cars on track. Hell! I can tell you I can get around slower Porsches all day long in Stinger.

As I have posted in weight loss thread the RWD GTs could easily get under 3600 lbs. With some stickier wider wheels and tires and some decent brake pads this car could knock off some far more capable cars on track. We know have Ark coilovers available, bigger sways. No reason this couldn't be very fun dual use track and daily commuter.

 

[davebo]

I believe the car they tested had an LSD.

Just something to think about. A Stinger GT is same size as a 1LE Camaro. Same length as Camaro, skinnier slightly longer wheelbase, weighs a few lbs less. We are much smaller and lighter than a Dodge Challenger Hellcat.

But they tested a 2018 base GT which aside from the Limited edition, none of them have an LSD?

Also are you saying the Stinger weighs less than the 4cylinder 1LE Camaro? Because they say on C&D it's 3445 and the Stinger is 3922. Even if it's the other way around, I wouldn't call ~500lbs a few.

 

[BlaydeX15]

But they tested a 2018 base GT which aside from the Limited edition, none of them have an LSD (Limited Slip Differential)?

Also are you saying the Stinger weighs less than the 4cylinder 1LE Camaro? Because they say on C&D it's 3445 and the Stinger is 3922. Even if it's the other way around, I wouldn't call ~500lbs a few.

You can option in the LSD with the Driver Assist package on the GT, it's a $250 option. This one has the driver assist package, so it's safe to assume it has the LSD as well.

 

[davebo]

Oh wow, I knew Drivewise was an option but had no idea the l-s-d could be bundled with that. Good to know!

 

[eflyguy]

Only this year, I believe.. not on the 2018, at least not in the US..

 

[CaliSting]

But they tested a 2018 base GT which aside from the Limited edition, none of them have an LSD (Limited Slip Differential)?

Also are you saying the Stinger weighs less than the 4cylinder 1LE Camaro? Because they say on C&D it's 3445 and the Stinger is 3922. Even if it's the other way around, I wouldn't call ~500lbs a few.

Actually omission of ZL1 comparing to ZL1 1LE Camaro. And yes GT is about same weight. And based on video with two wheels smoking in drift pretty sure the GT they had was LSD equipped. That option was available before the test so I’m sure Kia got MT a GT with an LSD. And GT is listed at 3829 lbs. while ZL1 is 3883.

 

[E. Moll]

Out of curiosity, does anyone know the Hyundai/Kia part number for the European-spec brake pads that fit the Stinger Brembo brakes (referenced in the article)?

In fact, while we’re at it, does anyone know the shape of the Stinger Brembo brake pads (to explore aftermarket options) or aftermarket stainless steel brake lines that would fit a Stinger with Brembo brakes?

 

[4wheelpilot]

I’m disappointed in Kia’s decision to put “inferior” pads on US models. I know it’s a GT but Kia made it a BIG selling point to show it flying around a track, brag about a top speed of 167 and that it’s equipped with Brembo brakes (all around). For the car to go off the track is embarrassing. I’ve always leaned towards performance cars for the following reason....I don’t and won’t track my GT1 but I want to have confidence in the performance-acceleration, handling and braking-if needed to avoid a problem/accident on the road. I consider this an extra margin of safety that I’ve always been willing to pay extra for.

 

[davebo]

Well, take that with a grain of salt. Normally the Lightning Lap is a good benchmark because it's usually the same C&D employees driving but if Randy Pobst didn't have any problems with it then I'm inclined to think it's fine, and I definitely don't want to switch to overly noisy brakes with a ton of brake dust just to get a marginal increase in grip. It is worth noting though that just because a car comes with Brembo brakes doesn't necessarily mean it's the best thing ever. Brembo is just a normal brake manufacturer that runs the gamut from high performance to economy models, it's just that no one bothers importing lower end brembo stuff to put on a Chevy when we have suppliers in America, and other manufacturers that use them on cheaper models don't have red coated calipers to advertise it. I'm sure those that track their Stinger with any frequency will probably upgrade though.

 

[4wheelpilot]

I get your points but Kia made the decision to portray and market the Stinger GT as a very high performance sedan, here in the US as well as in Europe. I had an Audi S4 and the brake dust was a pita. But I switched out to brake pads that were great and without the brake dust. Kia should have done the same if they thought US buyers wouldn’t tolerate a lot of brake dust. But many US buyers accept it with BMWs, Audis and MBs.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Kia made the decision to portray and market the Stinger GT as a very high performance sedan, here in the US as well as in Europe.

And it is. If you drive only on public roads you'll never exceed the capability of the brakes. The car was developed on the track, thousands of miles worth of development. I am sure that they did their testing with the same calipers we get on our cars; but the pads and rotors were race car spec. They put good enough quality brake hardware on the production cars, but if we want to fully realize the performance potential, including the endurance to race, then race spec aftermarket will be necessary. I don't see how any of that reduces the selling point of the Stinger being a high performance luxury gran turismo.

 

[4wheelpilot]

So why different “inferior” brake pads for the US compared to Europe spec pads? No autobahn here but Kia still bragged about top speed and track testing.

 

[MerlintheMad]

So why different “inferior” brake pads for the US compared to Europe spec pads? No autobahn here but Kia still bragged about top speed and track testing.

I don't know of any differences in brake pads, vis-a-vis US and Europe or elsewhere. Bragging about what the Stinger can do isn't dependant on race spec pads and rotors. It just does better with them than the OEM stuff. You won't need them to have a high performance gran turismo out on the highway.

 

[4wheelpilot]

The article explains that Kia chose to use inferior brake pads in US Stingers. After the GT ended up in the weeds, they switched to Euro spec pads.

 

[MerlintheMad]

The article explains that Kia chose to use inferior brake pads in US Stingers. After the GT ended up in the weeds, they switched to Euro spec pads.

Well, it means that race spec pads are obviously superior to the OEM pads. "Inferior" means not as effective. It doesn't mean that there is something wrong with the less efficient pads. Kia supplied pads that will work better on the car for the specific test parameters. And I suggested that that is what they did at the Ring too; they just didn't advertise that the OEM pads are different (less costly and less efficient). Pobst didn't seem to have any trouble with the US spec pads. But lesser mortals do.

 

[4wheelpilot]

Most of us are lesser mortals. That’s why I’m disappointed in Kia’s decision, especially considering the way they marketed the GT.

 

[DoctorStiches]

All things considered (in this thread) I will only upgrade my pads and rotors if I gain horse power. But it is stock right now and seems to do my reckless driving just fine.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Most of us are lesser mortals. That’s why I’m disappointed in Kia’s decision, especially considering the way they marketed the GT.

I think that their marketing is very effective; it converted me.

Brakes are for one thing only, stopping the car before anything bad happens. The brakes, factory and Brembo, are very good, very safe. But of course the way anything is done isn't going to please everybody. If Kia put more expensive brake pads/rotors on stock, they would be overkill for almost every conceivable public roads situation; so wasted money and a higher MSRP. I've already said that when it comes time to change worn pads that I intend to put on race spec. And slotted, drilled rotors. Not because I think that they should have been on the GT in the first place, but because I like UHP tires (rated over 186 mph), and the thought of race worthy brakes on my Stinger tickles my fancy in the same way.