Kia Stinger - Australia discussions (pre-release)

[app_master]

Find that price hard to believe even in Kiwi $

It is right on par with what they (nz) pay for holden SSV redline.
I like the Skyguy's mention of "opening special"!
No other news I've heard.

 

[richard]

Red line Commodore comes in around $65k or $68K for the wagon drive away in Aus and the Kiwi $ is just under parity so if the Stinger comes in at around $60 TO $65k then ill still probably get one but anything over that price and I am out. Already looking for what other cars I like.

 

[Skyguy]

Yea about $76k NZD plus about $1k for onroad costs in NZ.

 

[Nujee]

Sorry, do you mean <60K (less than) , not >60k (more than 60K)?

Ahh yea sorry mean <60k. Using a different keyboard and trying to touch type. I cant see KIA trying to go more than that. I am hoping for mid 40's (with a bit of negotiation) for the 2.0L GTLine.

 

[Nujee]

Guys 10am Australia time today Monday- Caradvice are doing a piece on the Stinger. It's on their Facebook. Hopefully prices?

Edit- link https://facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10155400189226505&id=23632716504

 

[Nujee]

Oh man this car is going to be popular in AUS: http://www.caradvice.com.au/559316/kia-initially-unprepared-for-stinger-interest/

Also we may get the AWD at some point down under!!!: http://www.caradvice.com.au/559654/kia-stinger-awd-and-diesel-ruled-out-for-now/
That's awesome as I am looking to change over towards the end of 2019/ early 2020 and would consider the AWD. But it sounds like it might be even more powerful than the 3.3!!- From the article: "Nonetheless, there is still some potential for an AWD model in the future, particularly if Kia decides to do a high-performance model."

Edit: Aussie cops also very interested: http://www.caradvice.com.au/559321/kia-stinger-a-strong-candidate-for-nsw-and-qld-police-force/

 

[Nujee]

Australian Drive review up!!!:
http://www.caradvice.com.au/559261/2018-kia-stinger-review/?

Edit: Key points:

Does not feel that heavy:
We expected a warm-up of some kind, or some general introduction to the driving dynamics of the 'Ring. Instead, we found ourselves going flat-out from the get-go, following our lead car. Here’s the thing: The rear-wheel-drive V6 Kia Stinger has a kerb weight of around 1750kg (official numbers yet to come), yet they simply don’t feel that heavy. The front-end grips really well (Michelin Pilot Super Sports on 225/40/19 front, 255/35/19 rear - Australian cars set to wear Continentals) and the inherent balance of the car is very much like a new BMW 5 Series than anything Kia has ever made before.

Good brakes!:
The Brembo brake system with its 18-inch discs had been abused for hours on end and never allowed to cool down, so, realistically, they weren’t going to last more than a lap or two at the speeds we were going. But, despite the abuse, they never truly gave up.

The AWD is 'better':
The switch to AWD was disappointing, because it was ultimately a better car. Despite weighing an extra ~50kg and showing more hints of understeer, it took the RWD’s surefootedness one step further, allowing for earlier acceleration out of the fast corners and a general sensation of confidence that its lighter brother couldn’t match.

Lost some power!!:
"Somehow, it has lost about 4kW being converted to right-hand drive, due to the repositioning of the two turbos in the engine bay (that was about as technical an explanation as we got). It’s still expected, though, to do 0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds."


Overall its looking not too bad at all.

 

[Nujee]

Ok so exhaust note (this is specific to Australian markets) will be managed as an option from aftermarket suppliers.

http://www.caradvice.com.au/559324/kia-stinger-to-fix-exhaust-note-with-bi-modal-exhaust-system/

That is interesting but I guess they probably dont have the internal know-how just yet.

Edit:
"Meanwhile, Kia Australia communications manager Kevin Hepworth admitted the Stinger’s exhaust note did not deliver what the Australian market will expect from a powerful rear-wheel-drive turbocharged sedan that the Stinger represents, which is why the Australian operation has undertaken its own program to produce a new exhaust system."

Great to see this for Australia.

 

[Nujee]

Ok so not expected to be a cut price car but I think the prices discussed in this article are pretty much on par with my expectations and I think are actually quiet reasonable:

http://www.caradvice.com.au/559318/...-price-car-low-40k-to-mid-50k-price-expected/

 

[Nujee]

Also guys (sorry for a seperate post)- I asked the Australian reviewer specifically about the seat comfort and the screen resolution and his response is below:

"
Seats were very good and supportive but I'd need to spend more time in it to tell you if it's the same over long periods.

Infotainment screen is super high res. can't see pixels like a Toyota screen."

 

[app_master]

Thanks Nujee
YES to positive review(s)
YES to bi-modal exhaust

Fav pic from the new reviews coming out of "green hell"...

 

[Marco-Oz]

The AWD is 'better':
The switch to AWD was disappointing, because it was ultimately a better car. Despite weighing an extra ~50kg and showing more hints of understeer, it took the RWD’s surefootedness one step further, allowing for earlier acceleration out of the fast corners and a general sensation of confidence that its lighter brother couldn’t match.
[/QUOTE]

I guess the AWD Versus RWD is subjective, this is a snippet from the Motortrend article.

If performance is your principle, you’ll want to stick with the rear-wheel-drive model. The Stinger GT is also offered with an all-wheel-drive system developed by a Hyundai Motor Group–owned supplier and utilizes an electronically controlled center clutch, open differentials, and brake-actuated torque vectoring. Kia claims the all-wheel-drive car will have a performance advantage in poor weather, but on a perfect summer’s day it saps some of the car’s character. Adding roughly 155 pounds to the nose doesn’t help the car’s heavy feeling, nor does it help with the understeer on corner entry. What’s more, it erases the steering feel. The brake torque vectoring does feel like it’s helping point the car out of a corner, but the nose doesn’t pull you out like a GT-R even when it’s sending the maximum 50 percent of engine torque to the front axle. If you live in an area with chronically poor weather, it’s worth considering, but otherwise, the rear-drive car is more fun all around.

 

[app_master]

The AWD is 'better':
The switch to AWD was disappointing, because it was ultimately a better car. Despite weighing an extra ~50kg and showing more hints of understeer, it took the RWD’s surefootedness one step further, allowing for earlier acceleration out of the fast corners and a general sensation of confidence that its lighter brother couldn’t match.

I guess the AWD Versus RWD is subjective, this is a snippet from the Motortrend article.

If performance is your principle, you’ll want to stick with the rear-wheel-drive model. The Stinger GT is also offered with an all-wheel-drive system developed by a Hyundai Motor Group–owned supplier and utilizes an electronically controlled center clutch, open differentials, and brake-actuated torque vectoring. Kia claims the all-wheel-drive car will have a performance advantage in poor weather, but on a perfect summer’s day it saps some of the car’s character. Adding roughly 155 pounds to the nose doesn’t help the car’s heavy feeling, nor does it help with the understeer on corner entry. What’s more, it erases the steering feel. The brake torque vectoring does feel like it’s helping point the car out of a corner, but the nose doesn’t pull you out like a GT-R even when it’s sending the maximum 50 percent of engine torque to the front axle. If you live in an area with chronically poor weather, it’s worth considering, but otherwise, the rear-drive car is more fun all around.

Subjective yeah, but lucky for us the decision is made. RWD all the way.
This bimodal exhaust (great news btw) should not be an option on the GT, it should be a given ... on the the 330's certainly optional, but not on the "Flagship" GT! I want it all.
And oh man .... all of todays news has been so refreshing.
Still no price yet though?

 

[Nujee]

I guess the AWD Versus RWD is subjective, this is a snippet from the Motortrend article.

Yea this is why I had the '' for the better. I think it is subjective depending on what you prefer. I don't mind either or and personally, I think the weight disadvantage of the AWD is not worth it but who knows, if they ever bring it to AUS and its within my time-frame, I will definitely test drive them both!!

 

[Marco-Oz]

Subjective yeah, but lucky for us the decision is made. RWD all the way.
This bimodal exhaust (great news btw) should not be an option on the GT, it should be a given ... on the the 330's certainly optional, but not on the "Flagship" GT! I want it all.
And oh man .... all of todays news has been so refreshing.
Still no price yet though?

Hahaha, Im with you, it should be Included.
It really seems that this car is the overall package.
I didn't expect the Bi-Modal in this car based on early reads so IMO this is the best news by far. I've already assumed the car is all that is's cracked up to be. The Bi-Modal (hopefully works and sounds well) I think can accomodate the average driver who want's the quiet drive with the family or turn it up for a bit of fun. This alone will bring in customers.

 

[Marco-Oz]

Motoring video review.
More positive viewing.
http://www.motoring.com.au/kia-stinger-2017-video-review-107646/

 

[Skyguy]

Everything seems very positive. It looks like it will meet all performance expectations and may even exceed quality/finish expectations. The bi-modal exhaust seems like a good option but should be standard on the top spec.

Now just for the potentially questionable price.....

 

[Nujee]

I think as long as people are realistic of what they will pay now when it's hot off the press vs 2 yrs down the track, you will be fine.

Some reading on this....
http://www.caradvice.com.au/559318/...-price-car-low-40k-to-mid-50k-price-expected/

 

[Skyguy]

Interesting fun full fact. L

Kia have registered and trademarked the name 'stinger' globally. There's no issue with it in any country other than NZ. A few years ago a guy built up a custom show car and called it 'stinger'. He registered the name. So, Kia can't use it here. Worst case the stinger will be called something else in NZ, but Kia are likely to throw a bit of money at it to make the problem go away so that they can use the name. Until that is resolved, they can't start the marketing campaign, or 'officially' load pre-orders in their system.

Interesting.....

 

[Nujee]

Interesting.....

Woah. Yea `that might be an issue. Wonder what else they could call it......Kia Sting? (clearly not going to quit my day job with rubbish like that)