What exactly does the Stinger compete with?

[app_master]

OMG my favorite feature! Auto Hold! Ahhhh!! I'm so happy to see that. And heated steering wheel. Jeez. This car has a lot of nice features. This is a high performance luxury sedan - without a doubt! All this car needs at this point is ventilated seats and I'm completely sold.

I'm sure I can see the little seat fan symbol there. Check that off. Sold!

 

[Kia Stinger]

I'm sure I can see the little seat fan symbol there. Check that off. Sold!

What a cool car. It has everything I need. I love it when the underdog surprises everyone...

 

[Larry Denen]

I'm sure I can see the little seat fan symbol there. Check that off. Sold!

That was the first thing I noticed. I love cooled seats.

 

[Bamm1]

Jenny,

So, top to bottom, going left to right at each section I got:

1. Electronic Shifter for the 8-speed (no reverse lights coming on when you shift into drive)
2. e-Parking Brake
3. Auto Hold
4. Selector for the 5 Drive Modes
5. Traction Control Off
6. Three Mode Heated/Cooled Driver Seat
7. Heated Steering Wheel
8. Surround View Camera
9. Now the mystery button.........Kia ISG (Idle Stop Go; Kia's version of Stop/Start) Off switch? Looks like "an A with a circle arrow on top". This aligns with the button to control the ISG system in other Kia models so equipped.
10. Three Mode Heated/Cooled Passenger Seat

 

[Jenny Wang]

Now the mystery button.........Kia ISG (Idle Stop Go; Kia's version of Stop/Start) Off switch? Looks like "an A with a circle arrow on top". This aligns with the button to control the ISG system in other Kia models so equipped.

Could that be "surround view" on and off? It looks like a person surrounded by something. Too blurry.

 

[hej]

Could that be "surround view" on and off? It looks like a person surrounded by something. Too blurry.

Zooming in on a few pictures from thecurcveahead.net shows it to be a A with a circle around it. This is presumably auto stop-start on/off.

 

[Bamm1]

Could that be "surround view" on and off? It looks like a person surrounded by something. Too blurry.

If you look above each of the switches in the row with the surround view camera there is an indicator light. There are even three lights above the heated/cooled seats to indicate each level. I believe you would hit the button to toggle the function on and off. When it is "on" the light would illuminate and when "off" the light would go out.

Here is a close up of the switch (top, second from left) in a different Kia/Hyundai application.

Here is a good interior video for the Stinger GT. Go to 1:37 to have a better look at the "ISG (Auto Stop/Start)" switch.

I wonder if this feature will make it to the US?

There are usually a lot of complaints about the "smoothness" of this type of feature. Hopefully its not a detractor for Kia. It also doesn't usually make a huge difference in the EPA testing procedure (not a lot of extended idling in the test). But there has been first person feedback that it helps if you are stuck in stop and go traffic frequently

 

[ballistic]

yes a lot of people don't like that start/stop feature. i remember it in the bmw x5 and it was pretty annoying. on a hot summer day the air conditioning doesn't get cold enough. especially if you're in stop and go traffic. plus it doesn't stay OFF for very long considering the battery is constantly needed for air conditioning. that and it's not smooth at all. i hear people hate it in the brand new buick lacrosse as well. i know i don't want it and if it's a feature i need to be able to turn it off.

 

[hej]

My main reason for turning auto stop-start off is not wanting my starter to be worn out as soon as the warranty expires. The experience is a bit annoying as well though, and truthfully I don't think it saves all that much fuel.

 

[Jenny Wang]

My main reason for turning auto stop-start off is not wanting my starter to be worn out as soon as the warranty expires. The experience is a bit annoying as well though, and truthfully I don't think it saves all that much fuel.

I've wondered about that. It can't possibly be a good thing for the starter. I think the starter should be warranted for life in vehicles that have this feature where it can't be turned off.

 

[Bamm1]

I've wondered about that. It can't possibly be a good thing for the starter. I think the starter should be warranted for life in vehicles that have this feature where it can't be turned off.

There are actually numerous changes that need to be made in order to implement start/stop:

• The starter is actually completely different than the one used on a vehicle that does not include stop/start. Its duty cycle is increased exponentially so a much more robust unit is used.
• The battery used has to have more deep cycle capability to power all the restarts.
• The crankshaft and rod bearings have special low-friction coatings to handle the extra loads they endure with all the restarts.
• Electric pumps are used to circulate engine coolant and maintain hydraulic pressure in the transmission.
• A/C system has additional sensors to monitor temp and humidity so the car can restart if it gets too hot/humid.
• More sensors to determine if the lights, fans, infotainment system, etc. are draining the battery too much and it requires a restart.

Most stop/start systems show an average increase of ~10% in city fuel economy.

Based on the switch used in the Stinger it appears you can turn it off. But it may default back to “on” after a restart. BMW puts their auto start on/off switch right next to the "push to star"t button for this reason. You can hit one after the other each time you start the car if you hate it.

 

[Jenny Wang]

Thanks for the lesson, Bamm1! This is great to know! But all that for around 10% improvement in fuel efficiency. Seems a little wasteful.

 

[Bamm1]

Thanks for the lesson, Bamm1! This is great to know! But all that for around 10% improvement in fuel efficiency. Seems a little wasteful.

You are welcome. Its pretty complicated just to add what seems like a simple feature.

I think it makes more sense in context. In Europe, where gas can be up to 6-10 US dollars per gallon, getting 10% better fuel economy may make a much bigger difference.

 

[hej]

Thanks for the lesson, Bamm1! This is great to know! But all that for around 10% improvement in fuel efficiency. Seems a little wasteful.

10% improvement in city driving. Not to diminish the insight Bamm1 provided in his post (thank you, BTW), but realistically I'd say using the start/stop results in barely a 1mpg improvement for my combined city/highway fuel economy. Not really worth the nuisance that comes with the feature, even if it's not likely to wear out any parts prematurely. I'd rather have cylinder deactivation to eek out a few more mpg in relaxed highway cruising.

 

[ballistic]

isn't that what cadillac did way back in the day. the 80s. that 4100 engine if i remember. yes, i like that much better. it's being used in several vehicles i know of nowadays and i don't notice anything at all. i think it was a dodge charger i recently drove that had it and i could not tell when the deactivation came into play.

 

[Jenny Wang]

I guess when gas is very expensive it could make a difference. And as mentioned in Europe it probably makes more sense. It doesn't sound like something I need so hopefully that button turns it off. I don't find it too big of a deal if I need to turn it off every time I start the car. Things like that I get used to and do without even thinking eventually.

 

[Bamm1]

10% improvement in city driving. Not to diminish the insight Bamm1 provided in his post (thank you, BTW), but realistically I'd say using the start/stop results in barely a 1mpg improvement for my combined city/highway fuel economy. Not really worth the nuisance that comes with the feature, even if it's not likely to wear out any parts prematurely. I'd rather have cylinder deactivation to eek out a few more mpg in relaxed highway cruising.

I think the benefit of Auto Stop Start would be contingent on one's driving habits.

Cylinder deactivation is most beneficial during steady-state driving situations (like on a highway going 70mph for an extended period of time). If someone commutes in low speed, stop and go traffic, cylinder deactivation would not be much benefit. But having the car turn off, when you would normally have extended idling time, would make a difference. Take the combined figure on the Monroney. It is weighted 55% city / 45% highway. Most people who drive 70-80% highway think the EPA is crazy as they get a far better combined average than they are supposed to. So if you drive highway most of the time, auto stop start is a waste. But if you drive 70-80% city it could save you a few bucks.

 

[rocket23]

For me and more to the point. My stinger competes with every car/suv/rv/truck I see in front of me.