Kia Stinger - Australia discussions (pre-release)

[Kia Stinger]

Size classifications are going crazy lately - so who knows? But the Stinger is a Lexus GS competitor - and I know the GS and IS are in different classes. If I'm not mistaken, the Stinger is even a little bigger than the midsize GS...

 

[Gilgamesh]

The GS is longer, but the Stinger is slightly bigger in terms of width/wheelbase; weight of the GS is essentially 100 more lbs than the IS350 (GS350). Pricing is also around $56k for this model so that again makes me think for the Stinger to be able to succeed it will need to be priced to significantly beat the competitors including the IS/GS models.

 

[Bamm1]

Pretty sure they're considered to be in the same size class as both are considered to be "compact sport sedans". The Stinger is of course bigger, but not by some crazy amount.

Stinger

Length: 190.2 in
Width: 73.6 in
Height: unknown
Wheelbase: 114.4 in
Weight: unknown, but I heard slightly under 4,000 lbs

Lexus IS350 f sport

Length: 184.3 in
Width: 71.3 in
Height: 56.3 in
Wheelbase: 110.2 in
Weight: 3,737 lbs

The height of the Stinger is 55.1 in.

A loaded IS350 F-Sport AWD is $51,635.

I have mentioned this here before (also stating it will likely not happen) but I think if Kia wants to make a "big splash" they need to target Acura TLX pricing. The loaded 2018 Acura TLX SH-AWD Advance is $46,700 with destination. Several Kia reps have stated "under $50,000" in the US but I think one or two grand over the Acura price is a much better place to be in the "under 50 grand" space.

 

[Gilgamesh]

Very true I forgot about the TLX.. it's the cheapest of all the established luxury sedans in this class and while it isn't the powerhouse that the Stinger is supposed to be it's still considered the same car class.

Does anyone have more detail about the AWD system in the Stinger? I know that some vehicles are considered AWD, but they aren't truly AWD they just have the ability to put some power to the front wheels. I live in Iowa so our winters can get pretty nasty and rear wheel drive isn't going to cut it as a daily when it gets bad and the roads haven't been plowed. I had to keep my FR-S stored during winter for this reason.

 

[Kia Stinger]

Very true I forgot about the TLX.. it's the cheapest of all the established luxury sedans in this class and while it isn't the powerhouse that the Stinger is supposed to be it's still considered the same car class.

Does anyone have more detail about the AWD system in the Stinger? I know that some vehicles are considered AWD, but they aren't truly AWD they just have the ability to put some power to the front wheels. I live in Iowa so our winters can get pretty nasty and rear wheel drive isn't going to cut it as a daily when it gets bad and the roads haven't been plowed. I had to keep my FR-S stored during winter for this reason.

We have some all wheel drive discussion going on here:
https://stingerforum.org/threads/all-wheel-drive-and-torque-vectoring.48/

 

[Bamm1]

Does anyone have more detail about the AWD system in the Stinger? I know that some vehicles are considered AWD, but they aren't truly AWD they just have the ability to put some power to the front wheels. I live in Iowa so our winters can get pretty nasty and rear wheel drive isn't going to cut it as a daily when it gets bad and the roads haven't been plowed. I had to keep my FR-S stored during winter for this reason.

It is supposed to be a "performance" version of the Genesis HTRAC system (akin to what is found on the Genesis G80 Sport)

http://brand.hyundai.com/en/brand/technology/htrac.do

 

[app_master]

I'm glad to see price is important for USA stinger buyers too. Even though the stinger is squarely and publicly aimed at some BMW and Audi models it has to be a significantly better value equation.

You've mentioned a few USA vehicles at a similar price point to the stinger gt V6, well under 50k USD.

Similarly in Australia the Kia must first compete with those similar type vehicles (and buyers) before going head to head with the euro premiums, or turning peoples heads away from those, even though it may be just as good on many levels.

To stay on topic (Australia) this similar target market vehicle is definetly the current Holden Commodore and to a lesser Ford Falcon equivalents. A few others can be thrown in but this is the price blueprint.

Once they establish this slice of our market here the brand exposure will then allow market infiltration to the vehicles makes the stinger was spawned from...eg Audi BMW types etc.

 

[Gilgamesh]

It is supposed to be a "performance" version of the Genesis HTRAC system (akin to what is found on the Genesis G80 Sport)

http://brand.hyundai.com/en/brand/technology/htrac.do

Personally I've never heard of Hyundai being known for AWD vehicles or heard any reviews on it for that matter. Do you have any experience with them or this type of AWD system?

For me personally the AWD capabilities will be a deciding factor in regards to whether I buy the vehicle or not. I don't plan on driving this through like a foot of snow (it's not a snow plow) or anything like that, but I'd like to be able to drive through several inches with enough traction to be confident I won't get stuck or start fish tailing due to the rear wheels getting essentially all the power.

 

[app_master]

Great discussions but AWD will not be brought to Australia, it is unfortunately not a deciding factor for us.

Back to topic....
In short, not just in Australia, the Stinger will be Kia's key to brand exposure. Once they 'buy' this exposure a good percentage of both markets, direct competitor and brand buyer markets, will flow in their direction. This will be the effect on the brand moving forward, not the stinger model alone, to propel the brand towards premium status.

 

[app_master]

Some car prices to compare below in AUD dollars.

MSRP; Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price ... for a vehicle and excludes costs, such as options, dealer delivery, stamp duty, and other government charges, that may apply.
(PS ... but no one really ever pays this MSRP)

$TBA Kia Stinger 200S
$TBA Kia Stinger 200Si
$TBA Kia Stinger GT-Line
$TBA Kia Stinger 330S
$TBA Kia Stinger 330Si
$TBA Kia Stinger GT

$34490 2017 Kia Optima Si Auto MY17
$44490 2017 Kia Optima GT Auto MY17

$40490 2017 Holden Commodore SV6 VF Series II Auto MY17
$46690 2017 Holden Commodore SS VF Series II Auto MY17
$59190 2017 Holden Commodore SS V Redline VF Series II Auto MY17

$39990 2017 SKODA Superb 162TSI Auto MY17
$43990 2017 SKODA Superb 140TDI Auto MY17
$50990 2017 SKODA Superb 206TSI Auto 4x4 MY17
$51990 2017 SKODA Superb 206TSI SportLine Auto 4x4 MY17

$38350 2017 Hyundai Sonata Elite Auto MY17
$45490 2017 Hyundai Sonata Premium Auto MY17
$61500 2017 Hyundai Genesis Auto
$82000 2017 Hyundai Genesis Ultimate Pack Auto

$32490 2017 Mazda 6 Sport GL Series Auto
$45390 2017 Mazda 6 Atenza GL Series Auto

$30760 2017 Subaru Liberty 2.5i Fleet Edition 6GEN Auto AWD MY17
$47140 2017 Subaru WRX Premium V1 Auto AWD MY17

$40440 2017 Toyota Camry Atara SL Auto
$50440 2017 Toyota Aurion Presara Auto

$41490 2017 Volkswagen Passat 132TSI Comfortline B8 Auto MY17
$57990 2017 Volkswagen Passat 206TSI R-Line B8 Auto 4MOTION MY17

$48490 2017 Ford Mustang FM Auto
$54590 2017 Ford Mustang FM Auto
$59990 2017 Ford Mustang GT FM Auto

$60000 2017 Chrysler 300 C Luxury Auto MY17
$75000 2017 Chrysler 300 SRT Hyperblack Auto MY17

$60400 2017 Jaguar XE 20t Prestige Auto MY17
$105066 2017 Jaguar XE S Auto MY17

$59340 2017 Lexus IS200t Luxury Auto
$73540 2017 Lexus IS350 F Sport Auto

$56500 2017 BMW 318i Sport Line F30 LCI Auto
$89900 2017 BMW 340i M Sport F30 LCI Auto
$99900 2017 BMW 440i F32 Auto

$69900 2017 Audi A5 sport Auto MY17
$105800 2017 Audi S5 Auto quattro MY17

$61400 2017 Mercedes-Benz C200 Auto
$101900 2017 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG Auto 4MATIC

$210000 2017 Porsche Panamera 971 Auto MY17
$460100 2017 Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid 971 Auto AWD MY18

Source; http://www.redbook.com.au/

 

[app_master]

Missed this one...from a recent discussion elsewhere on these forums...

$59895 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Auto
$71895 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce Auto
$143900 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Auto

 

[Marco-Oz]

Oh Well, no secret no more
Check out an article about the recent update.
http://www.caradvice.com.au/556276/...quipment-details-revealed-in-leaked-bulletin/

And there's that $50k figure mentioned again.

 

[app_master]

Oh Well, no secret no more
Check out an article about the recent update.
http://www.caradvice.com.au/556276/...quipment-details-revealed-in-leaked-bulletin/

And there's that $50k figure mentioned again.

The hype is certainly real here, I hope I don't have to cancel my order if Kia does decide to overreach on the price point. Which at the moment will likely promise them a very long waiting list.

 

[dddd]

I can't believe the weight still has not been announced, this I believe is going to be the chink in its armour. If it comes in around the 1800kg mark that has been suggested it will certainly take the shine off this car as that weight will not be competitive in this class

 

[Skyguy]

Perhaps, but the performance figures that have been published have been done in the car that weighs what it weighs, so it should still drive well.

 

[Marco-Oz]

I can't believe the weight still has not been announced, this I believe is going to be the chink in its armour. If it comes in around the 1800kg mark that has been suggested it will certainly take the shine off this car as that weight will not be competitive in this class

I do believe it's in that weight range from previous reads but I need to remind myself that it's a GT and not a pure sports car, 'it was designed for the journey and not to be the first to arrive' Peter Schreyer.
With all these features I guess it's a trade off. I'd imagine the 330s would be a fair bit lighter.

 

[dddd]

I do believe it's in that weight range from previous reads but I need to remind myself that it's a GT and not a pure sports car, 'it was designed for the journey and not to be the first to arrive' Peter Schreyer.
With all these features I guess it's a trade off. I'd imagine the 330s would be a fair bit lighter.

The 330 SI I feel will probably be the one to go for (the leather interior) I just hope you can option the active suspension on that model as I simply do not want a sunroof (gt). The desire for a sunroof is beyond me, I don't understand why anyone would approve an option that's going to add 20 - 30kg (at the highest possible point) to there supposedly performance orientated car

 

[Marco-Oz]

The 330 SI I feel will probably be the one to go for (the leather interior) I just hope you can option the active suspension on that model as I simply do not want a sunroof (gt). The desire for a sunroof is beyond me, I don't understand why anyone would approve an option that's going to add 20 - 30kg (at the highest possible point) to there supposedly performance orientated car

I'm one of those people who constantly use a sunroof, even when it's raining it would be tilted a little. I'm happy trading performance for a little extra weight.
I'm after the whole enchilada (GT) so looks like Kia are on another winner producing different trim levels as we are all different.

 

[dddd]

Looks like 1785 kg for 330 SI model and 1855 for AWD going off this video

around the 3.10 min
I'm assuming that's kerb weight

 

[Sting]

well, its released in Korea, maybe old news but if you ahve not seen this check it out. ohh, translate the webpage to ENGLISH!
http://stinger.kia.com/index.html

Maybe someone from Korea can give us all insight into FUEL ECONOMY and other On hand info.