The stock car invites "spirited" driving, and any available race track is going to further entice even a stock Stinger to flex its performance muscles. A driver who loves add ons and swapping out parts for favorite bits will joyfully mod his Stinger. But in the end, a dedicated track car platform is going to beat it. So what is the point of modding? One man's wasteful extravagance is another man's pride and joy. Never more true than with nich cars. The intent behind the Stinger's concept is fully realized in the stock car. But Kia knows there is money to be made turning your car into one uniquely yours, if that is what you must pursue.
It didn’t get 4th fastest lap. Watched the videos on MT site. It was slowest car maybe except for Miata. Big 4 door BMW M5 and Mustang smacked its time by big margin. Lots of room on laguna to use Stingers power so not surprising it equaled Less powerful WRX. More notable to me was that Honda Civic Type R only beat it by 2 seconds around Laguna Seca.
Yes. That is what Albert Biermann et al. at Kia have been saying. The Ring was to test durability and performance for touring purposes, not to "track" the car.
Randy Pobst says different. He was very very impressed with the car. And said it’s very much a track car out on Laguna Seca. Randy truly impressed. Brakes worked well for him too. Car didn’t overheat like some of others he was driving. That’s good news. Dynamics of the RWD car are quite track car like too. I have beat plenty of Porsche in AX event in Stinger. His only complaint is about power coming on all at once and throwing rear end out . Yeee haw! I can’t wait for drag race tomorrow! I think Stinger will be part of that event and I suspect it will do well.
Important to note “the not a track car” beat times of VW Type R, WRX STi and EVO on Laguna with Randy at wheel of all those cars. Heck man he was almost faster than my dedicated 914-6 track car. That time is right in there with my old 370z too. I suspect that Randy had time to get comfortable with the Stinger and laguna plays to the Stingers strengths. Strong brakes, nuteral handling and plenty of power. All those import fan boi track focused JDM and VW sport sedans slower on track than a freaking Kia. Put that in your pipe and smoke it!
However still have my doubts that car will keep its cool in long sessions.
It didn’t get 4th fastest lap. Watched the videos on MT site. It was slowest car maybe except for Miata. Big 4 door BMW M5 and Mustang smacked its time by big margin. Lots of room on laguna to use Stingers power so not surprising it equaled Less powerful WRX. More notable to me was that Honda Civic Type R only beat it by 2 seconds around Laguna Seca.
It didn’t get 4th fastest lap. Watched the videos on MT site. It was slowest car maybe except for Miata. Big 4 door BMW M5 and Mustang smacked its time by big margin. Lots of room on laguna to use Stingers power so not surprising it equaled Less powerful WRX. More notable to me was that Honda Civic Type R only beat it by 2 seconds around Laguna Seca.
Makes sense. Laguna when driven hard can be pretty tough on brakes so it’s encouraging. A few high speed haul downs from over 100 mph. I trust what Randy says too. Real driver on big track with real speed. Love fact he threw Honda Civic R spec and corvette under the bus for over heating and cited Stinger as being cool for his session. That’s truly surprising too me after others have reported over heating brakes and tranny. Perhaps Kia is improving car with subtle upgrades. Would be great to know if that’s the case.
The stock car invites "spirited" driving, and any available race track is going to further entice even a stock Stinger to flex its performance muscles. A driver who loves add ons and swapping out parts for favorite bits will joyfully mod his Stinger. But in the end, a dedicated track car platform is going to beat it. So what is the point of modding? One man's wasteful extravagance is another man's pride and joy. Never more true than with nich cars. The intent behind the Stinger's concept is fully realized in the stock car. But Kia knows there is money to be made turning your car into one uniquely yours, if that is what you must pursue.
I think you answered it correctly, The whole point behind modding is not to make a track car or be the fastest on the block (but it doesn't hurt,lol) but because modding ,to me. is to enhance MY pride and joy.
Drum roll it was 9th place ahead of Mustang, vette and Audi TT. They made same observation as me. Car on track is a blast and more fun then on the street. All guys driving it said same thing about it transforming on the track. They also said watch out if kia decide to make a performance version. Again I totally agree that the car has performance bones that deserve more sporty suspension little more aggressive sport mode etc. The car transforms on track and does stuff you’d only expect from a track car. It’s road manners have always disappointed me but then take it to track and it does everything very well. So much for the “grand touring” not made for track comments so many make. Top industry testers don’t agree and see track potential of the car. Fact it put past fast track cars like Evo, Sti and Golf R behind its lap times says something about Stingers track capability that not many can admit. It has track cred. Now they just need to shape up suspension and give us an R version.
You mean, Albert Biermann? Kia has stated from the getgo what they were doing with the Stinger, and it has never been focused on being a track car. A gran turismo it is, stock. And its high performance creds make it into a "project" waiting to happen. I like your switch from somewhat dissing the car to loving it. Funny! I am pretty sure the brakes used in Ring testing were not the brakes (pads and rotors) on the OEM cars we get in the US. But they can be swapped out in a trice for the "real" stuff if you are going to drive the car a la race fashion. We normal, touring drivers only need the brakes to keep us from slamming into idiots who suddenly appear out of nowhere. One solid emergency stop is all we need. The stock Brembo setup will do that. It has twice for me and I did not find them wanting. Still, it will warm my cockles to know that I have fully race worthy brakes, when it comes time to replace the stock pads. I'll probably put on slotted rotors at the same time.
shoot I drool...like a ravenous dog!, At Hot women, barbecue ribs,a nice fat paycheck!!! Hell yeah I drool, smack my lips, even eek out a wet fart if I'm really excited!! undignified?! pfffffft. live a little, that's my motto.
shoot I drool...like a ravenous dog!, At Hot women, barbecue ribs,a nice fat paycheck!!! Hell yeah I drool, smack my lips, even eek out a wet fart if I'm really excited!! undignified?! pfffffft. live a little, that's my motto.
