GRIP S5 Sportback versus Stinger Video

[Dennis]

Nice video and Expected Results!

The Stinger seems like a RWD only looking at (1.04 min of the video where AWD badge is missing). Should have a 4WD for comparison! Anyway it was a good fight put up by Stinger! 3 seconds seems alot however if comparing in wet and damp conditions AWD versus RWD for 3 secs slower its mighty impressive!

IMO in dry conditions it may be neck to neck.

 

[Euljiro1ga]

Oh, I like this review a lot, thanks for sharing.

I think it's actually fair to say the S5 behaved much better when pushed to its limits. The Stinger rolled around a bit, don't think the AWD will make a big difference.

Having said that, the Audi is about 30,000 Euro more expensive as seen in the video, with that, you get better materials, handling and such.

Ultimately, the S5 sportsback is a better car, but is it 30,000 euro better? I don't think so. As one reviewer said, on track, the S5 is faster, but on the road and highways, it's hardly going to be noticeable.

 

[Dennis]

Agree on the price point! Definitely not 30,000 Euro better. Have to say the S5 interior is a wonderful place to be in whether in track or in the real world!

AWD will shave seconds away especially coming out of the turns in damp condition. Entry speed can be higher on RWD however when putting power down in RWD after the turn is a major time deficit. As the reviewer can be seen correcting for the lost of traction after the turn in wet where the Stinger really struggled in putting the power down. The S5 just hauls as long as reasonable speed is carried in and once in and after the turn the reviewer can just keep the pedal planted!

The S5 has a non debatable traction advantage during the turn and also in putting power down after the turn. Just wish a AWD is there for a comparison to see the handling and performance difference between both.

 

[Euljiro1ga]

You are right, the AWD Stinger will make it closer to the Audi.

With the 30,000 Euro savings, one can also put that into new exhaust system for improved sound and a bit more power gain, change to a stiffer and lower springs, and some struts for added stiffness. May still have 25,000 Euro left...

 

[AndyGT]

They clearly state that both cars are AWD. Makes totally sense because in Germany AWD is the only option. You cannot buy a RWD 3.3 Stinger here. What they basically say is:

The stinger is a very nice car for the money but the S5 seems to be more refined in terms of interior quality and performance. They also said that the Stinger is noticeably heavier. What was a bit funny: They mentioned that the sound in the S5 comes more from the exhaust while you only hear the engine in the Stinger. It seems that they didn‘t recognized that it‘s fake sound only.

The driver drove the Stinger in „Sport+“ driving mode (EU only, remember we don’t have the custom mode) meaning that ESP was deactivated. They say that the car looses grip/traction several times and can not use the hp power that it usually has. They also say that the Stinger is slower in curves but comes up on the straights. They again state in the end that the Stinger was not able to get the power on the street. They say that the differential caused the 3 seconds difference.

Would be interesting how they would compare on dry track conditions.

 

[Dennis]

They clearly state that both cars are AWD. Makes totally sense because in Germany AWD is the only option. You cannot buy a RWD 3.3 Stinger here. What they basically say is:

The stinger is a very nice car for the money but the S5 seems to be more refined in terms of interior quality and performance. They also said that the Stinger is noticeably heavier. What was a bit funny: They mentioned that the sound in the S5 comes more from the exhaust while you only hear the engine in the Stinger. It seems that they didn‘t recognized that it‘s fake sound only.

The driver drove the Stinger in „Sport+“ driving mode (EU only, remember we don’t have the custom mode) meaning that ESP was deactivated. They say that the car looses grip/traction several times and can not use the hp power that it usually has. They also say that the Stinger is slower in curves but comes up on the straights. They again state in the end that the Stinger was not able to get the power on the street. They say that the differential caused the 3 seconds difference.

Would be interesting how they would compare on dry track conditions.

Great Thanks for the clarification as I am illiterate to German language! Good to know its AWD.
This is KIA Marketing info stating both AWD and RWD is available in EU:
Kia Stinger shortlisted for 2018 European Car of the Year

Seems like the Stinger if it is a AWD it drives in a very RWD behaviour especially when it was going sideways in the video. There is total no understeer from the Stinger behaviour in the wet and power seems almost most of the time rear bias even in slippery condition unlike the Quattro. The way the car slides seems very RWD to me.

Yes dry track comparison will be great!

 

[AndyGT]

It‘s 100% AWD. They say that several times in the video.

In Germany you can buy AWD only. In UK you can buy RWD only. So basically both options are available in Europe but not in every single country.

 

[voon]

Grip is Grip. Only germans win there

 

[AndyGT]

Grip is Grip. Only germans win there

Considering that it‘s a suprisingly good result. ;-)

 

[voon]

Considering that it‘s a suprisingly good result. ;-)

Absolutly. Their longest talk was about the exhaust note or the somewhat cheaper plastics etc .. where they are right. So despite noone really knowing how the cars were driven and differences in tires I bet etc: 3 seconds faster is 4% of 1:13. So the Audi is 4% faster with 16hp less (and being the much lighter car, 1735 kg, vs our fat ship at 1900kg) for a 95% higher price. Personally, I can really live with that Especially because track racing is a realtively low priority on my daily car use.

 

[AndyGT]

...and maybe wet conditions were the only way to justify the price difference. Stinger AWD with LSD would be a different story...