Stinger weight!

[STINGER]

The subject is already raised in another thread (https://stingerforum.org/threads/kia-stinger-australia-discussions-pre-release.168/page-7#post-2661), However I feel this topic deserves its own thread.

Stinger,
2.0 RWD: 1670 kg (3680 lbs)
2.0 AWD: 1740 kg (3835 lbs)
3.3 RWD: 1785 kg (3935 lbs)
3.3 AWD: 1855 kg (4090 lbs)

As stated by KIA that the Stingers main rivals are the 435 Grand Coupe and the S5 Sportback both are significantly lighter when compared to the same configuration to the Stinger.

S5 Sportback 3924 (WB 111.2) - Stinger 4090 (WB 114.4) - Diff +166 lbs (WB +3.2)
435 Grand Coupe 3799 (WB 110.6) - Stinger 3935 (WB 114.4) - Diff +135 lbs (WB +3.8)
C450 4Matic 3834 (WB 111.8) - Stinger 4090 (WB 114.4) - Diff +256 lbs (WB +2.6)
E300 4Matic 4060 (WB 115.7) - Stinger 4090 (WB 114.4) - Diff +30 lbs (WB -1.3)
IS350F 3593 (WB 110.2) - Stinger 3935 (WB 114.4) - Diff +342 lbs (WB +4.2)
IS350F AWD 3737 (WB 110.2) - Stinger 4090 (WB 114.4) - Diff +353 lbs (WB +4.2)
Infiniti Q50 Red 3895 (WB 112.2) - Stinger 3935 (WB 114.4) - Diff +40 lbs (WB +2.2)
JAG XE35T AWD 4061 (WB 111.6) - Stinger 4090 (WB 114.4) - Diff +29 lbs (WB +2.8)

I understand the Stinger has a longer wheel base, but the differences in weight in most cases are very significant.

Discuss!

Note - I am comparing the Korean Stinger weight figures to US figures for the competitors. The Stinger US weight could very well be higher than the Korean making the difference even more.

 

[hej]

The IS350 seems to be unusually light. I don't think the other differences are very significant, especially when - as you've pointed out - the Stinger is a bigger car. To me the weight is pretty much exactly as expected.

 

[carlosfernandez]

But the difference in wheelbase make a difference in leg and headroom and that's a difference !!!!

 

[STINGER]

Added the wheelbase sizes for reference.

I guess also you do get what you paid for, I am sure the premium with the other cars does get you some advanced weight saving methods.

Worth noting that the E300 has longer wheel base, is longer and higher but slightly thinner and weighs less.

 

[Kia Stinger]

If I'm not mistaken the Stinger is basically E-Class sized and makes the most sense of all the cars compared. The Kia being 30lbs more is insignificant to "me" - especially considering the price difference...

If it's more closely sized against the S5 and BMW 4-Series - then yeah - that 100lb different means a little something more - but again - not for the price. It's just not that big of a deal - for "me"...

 

[Kia Stinger]

To everybody concerned about "weight"... As I wrote in another discussion here:

While brands like Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Cadillac are currently working on weight savings - making it a priority - Hyundai and Kia just aren't there yet. To pay $15k to $20k less for basically the same thing - you're going to have to sacrifice "something". It would not make economical sense for Hyundai or Kia to build the exact same car as the top-tier brands and sell them at a discount - which at this time would be their only choice. Something has to give...

If they're going to build you an equal product - that means they're going to have to spend a lot more money to give you that product - which means they'll have to charge you a lot more to buy it. There's no secret formula here. You're not getting 100% Audi S5 or BMW 440i for a $15,000.00 to $20,000.00 discount because the badge is different.

While we'd all like to believe that buying the Stinger GT means you have a car just as good as the very best - it's just not reality. Something has to give and for this car, it's a little weight - which will probably pretty-much go un-noticed 99% of the time...

 

[Kia Stinger]

I can't find the interior specs online because everything these days is about 100 ads per page and content isn't king anymore. But I have to imagine that the Lexus IS has a lot less interior volume than the Stinger does. It may have the same wheel base. Like the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and C-Class - they both have the same wheel base but the E-Class is a much bigger car - so it weighs much more.

Let's not compare the Stinger's weight and specifications to cars in the "small" segment. The C-Class is a small car. The Lexus IS is a small car. The E-Class is a mid-size car. The Lexus GS is a mid-size car. These are the cars we'll be wanting to compare weight to. And it's not that big of a difference when you look at it that way. Certainly not "make it or break it"...

 

[eljay]

Relatively small weight issue, but--I've heard more than once that the U.S. Stinger will include a compact spare and a jack, so another 30 lbs? How many of the competitors include a spare? Aren't run-flats standard on some of them? I may be wrong, but I think I'd rather have a spare than run-flats.

 

[app_master]

Maybe we should be talking who "races" vs who "drives"?
If you looking for a "quick light car with race track characteristics" the Stinger would not be on top of your list. Look elsewhere for that fix (and be prepared to pay for it) However, it is the Stinger's value that keeps it coming up time and time again against many different competitors.

 

[Bamm1]

My issue with "giving up a little weight, fuel economy, etc." to the vehicles you called out (mostly German) starts you on a slippery slope to "allowing" vehicles to compete with you that you did not intend. For example.....

2018 Stinger GT AWD (1) vs. 2017 Ford Fusion Sport (2)

Dimensions:
190.2” L x 73.6” W x 55.1” H / 192” L x 73” W x 58” H

Wheelbase:
114.4” / 112.2”

Head Room:
Front: 39.4 / 39.2
Rear: 37.0 / 37.8

Leg Room:
Front: 42.6 / 44.3
Rear: 36.4 / 38.3

Shoulder Room:
Front: 56.4 / 57.8
Rear: 54.8 / 56.9

Cargo Capacity (Seats Up):
14.3 ft^3 / 16 ft^3

Weight:
4090 lbs. / 4128 lbs.

Fuel Economy:
17/24* | 17/26

Performance:
0-100 km/h: 4.9 sec | 0-60: 5.1 sec; ¼ Mile: 13.7@101mph

MSRP (loaded):
< $50,000 / $41,700

* est. based on Korean numbers

 

[mediocrepizza]

It's really unfortunate, but that's where the cost compromise comes in. You could have a lighter car with lighter materials (carbon fiber, aluminum, etc), but those materials are much more expensive, which would drive the cost of the Stinger up to Audi/BMW levels. I was also shocked to find the weight out, but considering that the weight of the equivalent sized 2.0T Optima is just shy of 3600 lbs, this isn't too bad seeing as the 2.0T Stinger has a heavier RWD-based drive train. Worst case scenario, you can opt for the Genesis G70 when that comes out, which is based on the same platform as the Stinger and will be lighter, albeit a bit more expensive.

 

[slimfit]

I'm sorry, anything near 4000lbs is a straight up pig. Not that I was expecting Miata weight, but I guess I was hoping for something close 3700 for the v6 RWD. Looks like the RWD 4 cylinder will be the best handler.

 

[srtcrazy05]

The IS350 seems to be unusually light. I don't think the other differences are very significant, especially when - as you've pointed out - the Stinger is a bigger car. To me the weight is pretty much exactly as expected.

i personally think it should be compared to the gs350 rather than the is350

 

[hej]

4000 for a car with that wheelbase is nothing out of the ordinary. My AWD Audi is even heavier even though it's more or less the same size.

 

[carlosfernandez]

My money and my bet still on the Stinger, even if it more heavy than the others, drive good and cost less with good opportunity of improvement

 

[BahamaTodd]

The weights are actually not that bad for a car this size and with the powertrains it has. As was mentioned, this is a midsize car that is closer to E class, 5 series, CTS sized.

The weight of the V6 models is actually expected and on par with other turbo 6 cylinder competition which generally ranges about 4000 - 4200 lbs.

One thing to keep in mind is we do not know how Korea calculates weight. If they use the European method, the curb weight includes a 165 lbs driver. In the US, it is just the car with all fluids full.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curb_weight

 

[BahamaTodd]

I tried to compare the weights of other Korean models built there and sold in the US and that wasn't much help. For different models the US weight was sometimes more or less than the Korean weight by as much as 100 lbs. Probably depends on how it is equipped. We'll have to wait and see the ratings for each market.

 

[carlosfernandez]

I saw one review of Motorgraph and the car looks so WELL constructed from the down side that I expect a superb handling !!!

 

[Bamm1]

My concerns are not driven by the notion that X car is 100 lbs. less, so it is obviously superior in every way. But there are attributes I consider important that are impacted by the overall weight. Some I could live with in isolation, some I will have trouble reconciling in combination.

• I do not intend to track the car. So being a few tenths slower to 60 or in the 1/4 mile vs. the Germans is a non-issue. Hopefully the extra weight will not have major impact on braking with the sticky summer tires that will be OEM.
• The fuel economy estimates coming out of Korea are a bit concerning. If they hold true, then never mind the Germans, the AWD versions of common three row SUVs (Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, Nissan Pathfinder) will beat the Stinger GT by 2+ mpg.
• I am not expecting go-kart like handling. But I don't want something that feels "heavy" or seems to be "lumbering" when the roads get less than straight.

I am looking at all of the above vs. cost. That likely holds true for most people on this forum.

Personally, being slower AND thirstier than the Germans will be a tough pill to swallow. I am not buying that the German's have some "secret witchcraft" that they imbued their cars with (for that extra 15-20 grand) that allowed them to have similar set ups (turbo six, 8-speed auto, AWD, same size wheels/tires, similar weights, etc.) but get 20% better fuel economy AND still be faster in all performance measures.

For example:
BMW 540i xDrive (8-speed auto)
4171 lbs.
335/332
0-60: 4.5 sec
1/4 Mile: 13.1 @ 108 mph
20/29/23 (observed hwy mileage was 31)

 

[BahamaTodd]

Unfortunately Hyundai is still a step behind in many aspects. The styling and quality seem to be there, but when it comes to performance, handling and weight, there's still room for improvement.

Reviews of the G80 sport have been coming out in the last few weeks. That car with the 3.3 TTV6 weighs a hefty 4500 lbs with RWD and 4700 lbs with AWD, and its supposed to be competing with the 5 series. Its almost a second slower to 60 (5.3 sec estimated) and is rated 17/24/20 mpg.

In Motor Trend's review they compare it to the 540xi and mention that the advantage of the G80 is its lower cost for more features.
http://www.motortrend.com/cars/genesis/g80/2018/2018-genesis-g80-sport-first-drive-notice/