Even hotter Kia Stinger in the works

[Whitey-AMG]

Originally Posted by Fordman1

Hey Bluey, get a mouth guard so your teeth don't rattle out.

Small cars designed for track use = compromise.
I've been in a golf R and it too was much less than compliant.
Hell ... my daughters Mazda 2 with chunky sidewalls would still see you bite your tongue in half over bumps and corrugations if you're not careful.
Small car short wheelbase syndrome.....

[Wretched]

THROUGH luck or design, Kia’s foray in the luxury sports sedan arena is being compared to European competitors in the segment, whilst being sized up as a candidate to fill the void left by the departure of Holden and Ford’s muscle sedans.

It’s a tall order, and if the Kia Stinger stands even half a chance at filling the Aussie’s still warm boots while worrying some established European competition, performance will have to be on point, but until now, a zero to 100km/h acceleration claim is all we’ve had to go on.

We pulled on our lab coats and put the Stinger through the same rigorous performance testing applied to all performance cars that come through the Wheels garage, to see if the South Korean newcomer can match its paper performance claims on red dirt.

For our first blast on Australian asphalt, Kia had supplied pre-production versions of the 2.0-litre turbo T and the 3.3-litre turbocharged V6 GT – our focus for this story (For the full review of both, pick up a September copy of Wheels).

Wheels might have been the first Australian motoring title to get its hands on the cars, but the New South Wales police had already been under its bonnet as part of an evaluation process that might lead to a fleet of Stingers lassoing crims.

As part of their fettling, the cops had unplugged a few boxes that needed to be re-flashed with programs, which prevented us from nailing a full launch-control start but, as you’ll see, that didn’t stop the Stinger from putting up some impressive times nonetheless.

So what’s the claimed time? While a figure of 4.9 seconds is a popular number proliferating amongst the media, the official European release says the Stinger GT will crack 100km/h from a standing start in 5.1sec. You know what? That’s exactly what it did, even without a faultless launch function.

Track conditions at the Sydney Dragway were dry and 16 degrees where a full noise blast returned the claimed acceleration figure, as well as charting a 400-metre run time of 13.2sec with a final velocity of 176.4km/h. Stability control was partially disabled but not completely off, unlike the traction control, which was completely deactivated.

So how does that compare with what are being touted as the vehicles Kia has to equal, if not better? For that answer we have to look back at the three-way comparison Wheels conducted in its August 2016 edition, which pitched the Ford Falcon XR6 Sprint, its V8 sibling XR8 Sprint, and the Holden Commodore SS-V Redline in a three-way battle.

It’s a mixed bag with a 4.0-litre turbo in-line six in the XR6, a supercharged 5.0-litre V8 for its XR8 stablemate, whereas the Commodore has an atmo 6.2-litre V8, and the Kia weighs in with a turbo V6 and 3.3-litres. However, all offer seating for five, four doors, and two driven wheels at the back for around the $60,000 mark. It’s on then.

Conditions at the Sydney Dragway for the Aussie thrash back then were a little warmer than our Kia runs, but it was similarly dry and with the same driver at the wheel.

With its naturally aspirated engine and the least power, the Commo ranked last for acceleration out of the trio with a zero to 100km/h run in 4.9 seconds, and a 400m run of 13.1sec with a final over-the-line speed of 178.3km/h.

In a very close second place, the XR6 Sprint was slightly slower over the 400m course compared with its eight-cylinder sibling – it managed a time of 12.9sec (181.5km/h) versus the XR8’s 12.7s time and 186.8km/h terminal velocity. In the zero to 100km/h stakes though, the Fords were neck and neck at 4.8sec each.
Rolling acceleration is another barometer of overall performance and a useful real-world comparison. A test, interestingly, the Kia ranked in the middle of the pack.

The Holden asks for 3.0 seconds to get from 80km/h to 120km/h, while the brace of Fords need 2.5s when the throttle is pinned. The Kia? It takes 2.8 seconds to complete the same benchmark test.

Until the production Kia Stingers start arriving on Australian soil with fully functioning launch electronics, the final verdict will have to wait but, the early signs at least show that, while the Kia is yet to match the Aussie cars’ drag strip ability, it’s getting close.

https://www.wheelsmag.com.au/feature...ormance-tested

[solarite_guy]

GM has always had over inflated hp numbers. Looks like KIA does too.

[adz137]

Quick Summary of the performance figures that Wheels recorded:

Kia Stinger GT
0 to 100: 5.1 sec
80 to 120: 2.8 sec
Quarter-mile: 13.2

SS Redline
0 to 100: 4.9 sec
80 to 120: 3.0 sec
Quarter-mile: 13.1

XR6 Sprint
0 to 100: 4.8 sec
80 to 120: 2.5 sec
Quarter-mile: 12.9

XR8 Sprint
0 to 100: 4.8 sec
80 to 120: 2.5 sec
Quarter-mile: 12.7

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by solarite_guy

GM has always had over inflated hp numbers. Looks like KIA does too.

How so?

[solarite_guy]

Just looking at it, it appears they do not match their hp to weight ratio. I am a bit too ill right now to go into all my algorithms, but at a glance, they seem off.

[Whitey-AMG]

Originally Posted by adz137

Quick Summary of the performance figures that Wheels recorded:

Kia Stinger GT
0 to 100: 5.1 sec
80 to 120: 2.8 sec
Quarter-mile: 13.2

SS Redline
0 to 100: 4.9 sec
80 to 120: 3.0 sec
Quarter-mile: 13.1

XR6 Sprint
0 to 100: 4.8 sec
80 to 120: 2.5 sec
Quarter-mile: 12.9

XR8 Sprint
0 to 100: 4.8 sec
80 to 120: 2.5 sec
Quarter-mile: 12.7

Recorded on different days with different temps. The earlier tests with the sprint and redline were done during hotter ambient temps fwiw.

Either way, Stinger is quick, as it should be with medium capacity V6 and twin turbo with closely stacked 8 speed auto...

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by solarite_guy

Just looking at it, it appears they do not match their hp to weight ratio. I am a bit too ill right now to go into all my algorithms, but at a glance, they seem off.

I Couldn't actually see in any article where there was a power to weight Claim, or a definite weight for that matter, but I found an approximate 1750kg

so with 272KW that give an approximate 155 kilowatts per tonne

for what its worth.

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by solarite_guy

Just looking at it, it appears they do not match their hp to weight ratio. I am a bit too ill right now to go into all my algorithms, but at a glance, they seem off.

Performance figures seem to be on par.
the 80-120 km/h one is decent too (2.8 isn't hanging around), that's the figure that seems to be the flavor of the month here right now.

[Mercury Bullet]

I would like to see it's numbers vs an XR6T not a Sprint 6.

Two completely different beasts with the sprint.
XR6T has roughly the same power levels.

[au350hp]

Mate of mine has a brother in the NSW police. They have scrapped all plans to use Ford for highway patrol, the Mustang is way too dangerous in crashes at speed, so they are going with the V6 twin turbo Kia's......

[solarite_guy]

Originally Posted by Wretched

Performance figures seem to be on par.
the 80-120 km/h one is decent too (2.8 isn't hanging around), that's the figure that seems to be the flavor of the month here right now.

Thank you. When I am feeling better I will dig into it.

[solarite_guy]

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

I Couldn't actually see in any article where there was a power to weight Claim, or a definite weight for that matter, but I found an approximate 1750kg

so with 272KW that give an approximate 155 kilowatts per tonne

for what its worth.

Thank you. When I am feeling better I will look into it. The devil is in the details.

[Sioso]

[malazn mafia]

Originally Posted by Roostercam

Mate of mine has a brother in the NSW police. They have scrapped all plans to use Ford for highway patrol, the Mustang is way too dangerous in crashes at speed, so they are going with the V6 twin turbo Kia's......

So the bets would be on a tuned xr6t sprint as weapon of choice to evade a NSW HWP once all the xr6t's are retired.

[RHR]

Chrysler 300 Core
Latest BMW 5 series Diesel
Volvo 60

Stinger is still being evaluated as is the VW Pasaat R line

[Sioso]

According to this article the base model V6TT is going to use 225 tyres all round, that should be fun............

https://www.carsales.com.au/editoria...tinger-108636/


Entry-level rear-drive V6 to pack plenty of fruit

Kia Australia has today revealed the comfort and convenience features that will be standard in its V6 Stinger models from launch in October.

Previously, the importer had announced pricing for the rear-wheel drive V6 model that will be joined later by turbocharged four-cylinder variants.

According to today's press release, the basic Stinger S – priced at $48,990 – will come equipped as standard with hill assist, rear-view camera with dynamic parking guidelines, rear cross traffic alert, active hood pedestrian protection, LED daytime running lights, seven airbags (including a kneebag for the driver), three child safety seat restraint points (two ISOFIX), 18-inch wheels and 225/45R18 Continental ContiSport Contact 5 tyres.

Other items include a 3.5-inch trip computer display, eight-way electric seat adjustment for the driver, six-way electric adjustment for the front passenger, cruise control, two 12V power outlets, two USB ports, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Bluetooth connectivity with music streaming.

For the next level up, the Stinger Si, the additional standard kit comprises 19-inch alloys with 225/40R front tyres and 255/35R19 rears, Autonomous Emergency Braking with Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, Driver Attention Alert, front parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, adaptive cruise control, an eight-inch infotainment touch screen and nine-speaker audio. The price for this variant is $55,990.

Topping the range is the Stinger GT, priced from $59,990. Standard features for the flagship include 360-degree camera view, Blind Spot Detection, Dynamic Bending Lights, High Beam Assist, full-colour Heads Up Display (HUD), electrochromic door mirrors, LED headlights with auto levelling, powered sunroof, a seven-inch colour trip computer screen, alloy sports pedals, suede headlining and pillar trims, plus wireless phone recharging.

In addition, the Stinger GT also packs a 15-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, a 'D-cut' steering wheel, two-position seat memory, Nappa upholstery with GT logos, adjustable lumbar support, electric bolster and seat base adjustment. Along with other colours available, the Stinger GT can also be ordered in two exclusive colours, Aurora Black and Snow White Pearl.

All three models are powered by the same 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6, driving through an eight-speed automatic transmission to the rear wheels. Kia claims the engine will produce 273kW and 510Nm for a 0-100km/h dash in 4.9 seconds. Launch control is standard across all three variants, as are a mechanical limited-slip differential and Brembo brakes front and rear.

"There is a belief that any entry-level model will be, for want of a better description, sparse," Kia Australia COO, Damien Meredith, was quoted saying in the press release.

"That is not the case with the Stinger. The S has the same brilliant 3.3-litre bi-turbo engine as the GT, the same eight-speed gearbox with sports paddles as the GT and the same ability to sprint from 0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds.

"And there is safety and comfort equipment in this car that you would not normally see in anything but the top of the model range, including satellite navigation.

"It simply represents outstanding value – starting with the S but stretching across the range."

As for the four-cylinder Stinger, motor vehicle certification data posted online indicates the four-pot models will be around 87kg lighter than the V6 models and will produce 182kW. Like the V6 models, the turbocharged four-cylinder will drive to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

[Whitey-AMG]

Originally Posted by Sioso

According to this article the base model V6TT is going to use 225 tyres all round, that should be fun............

If it's running Continental ContiSportContact 5 tyres all round it will be fine .
Better off running these in a 225 then garbage 245 width tyres.
Coupled with all the stability and traction wizardry , it will still be a missile.

[Danny]

I was in Korea last week.

Walking around Gangnam in Seoul me and a mate came across a Kia dealership with 2 Stingers on display.

I've gotta say, this thing was the real deal. The interior was an absolute joy to behold, sitting in it felt amazing, this particular one had a reddish dark brown leather stitched dash, jewelled metal speaker covers on the doors like the Burmeister style speakers that come in some Mercs, a chunky little self centering leather and stainless steel joystick to select gears, wonderful leather seats with just about every single function you could want.. The list goes on.

For me, the interior was comparable in quality and finish to a Mercedes Benz product.

I took 20 photos of it, but don't know how to post them up these days..

Would I consider one? If it reviews as well as it looks and feels to sit in, You bet.

[GT2]

6 Stingers being fitted out for Victoria Police at their yard in Dawson St.

[Sioso]

http://www.news.com.au/technology/in...361e3539c950a8



MEET the Korean car that wants to fill the void left by the homegrown Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore.

The Kia Stinger is designed to appeal to revheads who prefer rear-wheel-drive performance sedans.

Instead of a V8, however, the Stinger has a choice of a turbo 2.0-litre four-cylinder or twin-turbo 3.3-litre V6. With 272kW of power and 510Nm of torque the V6 has less grunt than that of a Holden Commodore V8 (304kW/570Nm) but weighs almost as much (1780kg versus 1800kg).

However, the Kia has an eight-speed auto versus the Holden’s six-speed, which is designed to make up for its power shortfall.
The Kia Stinger is available with a choice of turbo four-cylinder or twin turbo V6 power.

The Stinger’s arrival may seem deliberately timed to coincide with the exit of the Falcon and Commodore, but it was pure coincidence.

When the Stinger was an idea on a sketchpad five years ago, Ford and Holden were yet to announce their factory shutdowns.

With the main competition out of the way, Kia looks set to have a rails run.

But the sedan market is shrinking and Ford’s experience with the Falcon XR6 Turbo shows buyers prefer the sound of V8s over a turbo six-cylinder, regardless of how good it is.

Kia says of the first 100 orders about a third of buyers are trading in an Audi or Mercedes, another third are Ford, Holden or Toyota owners and the remainder own a Kia.
Kia says demand is evenly split among Holden and Ford fans, luxury buyers and current Kia owners. Picture: Supplied.

The turbo four-cylinder range stretches from $45,990 to $55,990 plus on-road costs while the turbo V6 costs from $48,990 to $59,990 plus on-roads.

All Stingers come with seven airbags, a rear camera and sensors, paddle shifters on the steering wheel, a digital speed display, Apple Car Play/Android Auto, digital radio and satnav. All V6s come with high-performance Brembo brakes.

The mid-grade models gain radar cruise control, automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance, while the top of the range adds rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot warning, a heads-up display, sunroof, 15-speaker premium audio and 19-inch wheels.
All V6 versions of the Kia Stinger come with high performance Brembo brakes. Picture: Supplied.

On the road

The Stinger body looks stretched, with its sleek roofline, but its footprint is slightly smaller than the Commodore’s.

There’s still ample room inside, although it’s better suited to four adults than five.

The cabin has upmarket looking materials — there are hints of Mercedes and Jaguar in the design — but loses some of its lustre with plastic buttons and switches.

The aluminium finish on the centre console looks classy but can reflect sun into your eyes.
The Kia Stinger has a blend of Mercedes and Jaguar influence in its interior design but some of the switchgear still feels mainstream rather than luxury. Picture: Supplied.

That aside, the driving position is comfortable yet sporty. The seats on the top model pin you in place with large side bolsters, which can be adjusted outwards at the press of a button if you overindulge at dinner.

The steering is well weighted and the ride comfort over bumps is above average but some cars on the launch felt more taut than others. One example was put down to low tyre pressure.

Despite being developed on the Nurburgring — and Kia fine-tuning the steering and suspension on Australian roads — the Stinger is still not as composed as a Commodore on bumpy surfaces.

The best balanced car on a winding road is the four-cylinder Stinger on 18-inch wheels and tyres and standard suspension. The flagship GT with adjustable dampers does comfort well, but sport mode is not as sporty or as composed as we’d like.
The Kia handled the track well, but on tyres not yet approved for road use on the Stinger.

During a track test Kia had media sample a Michelin tyre that is under consideration but not yet approved for the Stinger. On those tyres it felt more precise and more confident than on its standard Continental rubber.

The Continentals run unusually high air pressure to offset their soft sidewalls, but can still squirm during rapid take-offs.

The V6 also feels a touch nose heavy, particularly in tight turns, where the Stinger sometimes wants to push wide.

The Brembo brakes on the V6 have a precise feel worthy of a sports sedan. The four-cylinder’s standard brakes are fine for commuter driving, but optional Brembos would be a welcome addition.

The eight-speed auto can hunt for gears on long gentle uphill sections of road but you can use the paddle shifters to override any indecision.
The Kia Stinger V6 on standard suspension felt more composed on bumpy roads than it did with the adjustable dampers on the flagship GT. Picture: Supplied.

The four-cylinder and V6 are smooth operators and relatively quiet for a sports sedan, but more character wouldn’t go astray. An optional locally developed exhaust, made by the same company that supplies HSV, is on the way for the V6 and being considered for the four.

For the record the Stinger’s twin turbo V6 stopped the clock in the 0-100km/h dash at 5.1 seconds during several repeated runs — the exact same time we recorded a couple of days earlier in a Holden Commodore SS.

It’s an impressive result given, once upon a time, no-one expected Kia to get into the performance sedan market. Power to surprise indeed.

VERDICT

The Kia Stinger has most ingredients Aussie buyers love about high performance sedans — except for the V8 sound and how it handles back roads.
The Stinger is an impressive first effort for a performance sedan, but there’s room for an ever hotter version. Picture: Supplied.

AT A GLANCE: KIA STINGER

PRICE $45,990 to $59,990 plus on-roads (not cheap)

WARRANTY/SERVICE Seven years/unlimited km (industry best), intervals are 12 months/10,000km (industry average is 12 months/15,000km), service costs not finalised

ENGINE 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo, 182kW/353Nm, 3.3L V6 turbo, 272kW/510Nm (good)

SAFETY Seven airbags, rear camera and sensors. No ANCAP safety rating yet. Driver assist technology such as automatic emergency braking, rear cross traffic alert, radar cruise control, and blind zone warning are only available on dearer models (not ideal)

THIRST 8.8L-10.2L/100km (thirsty)

SPARE Space saver (not ideal)

BOOT 406L (biggish)

[stock1991]

needs to be a straight 6, just saying

[FalconXV]

http://www.top10cars.com.au/video-he...modal-exhaust/ here's the exhaust note of the bimodal exhaust version.

[Sioso]

[Sioso]

14 of them on carsales now, top spec is $66K driveaway
https://www.carsales.com.au/bncis/de...15166752/?Cr=0

[Whitey-AMG]

Originally Posted by Sioso

14 of them on carsales now, top spec is $66K driveaway
https://www.carsales.com.au/bncis/de...15166752/?Cr=0

Nice car , price is steep but i guess they need to fund that 7 year warranty somehow hey!

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by FalconXV

http://www.top10cars.com.au/video-he...modal-exhaust/ here's the exhaust note of the bimodal exhaust version.

Sounds reasonable. But it's no F150 Raptor V6 Ecoboost. That thing sounds unbelievable for a V6.

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by stock1991

needs to be a straight 6, just saying

I cant think of any reason why.

The Stinger uses the latest Lambda engine for its twin turbo 3.3 V6.

Its based on earlier less HP version seen in the Hyundai Santa Fe & Kia carnival for example.

versatility = cheaper

[Hawkeye84]

full spec, features and pricing on Kia's website
http://www.kia.com/au/cars/kia-stinger/features.html

[383hq]

Couple of drive reviews
12.79 sec quarter mile ain't hanging around for a family car
4.8s 0-100 confirmed in Oz
Tested against the chevy ss (first link) or redline (2nd link) = Same content, reworded to suit USA or Oz.

http://gearsofbiz.com/the-kia-stinge...hevy-ss/122666

http://gearsofbiz.com/2018-kia-sting...parison/121580