KIA Stinger GT

[Soya]

With the pace of improvements of Chinese brands, King Long may be an aspirational brand itself in 10-20 years ... :p

Long live King Long! No wonder so many choose to pirate their badge

[Sdf4786k]

Beauty in eyes of beholder

 

Every buyer looks for different stuff, some exterior, some interior and some the drive

 

to me, XE/3Ser/C class, all about the same, each has pluses and minuses

 

Not sure why some feel XE interior is yucky, its boatshape dashboard is nicer than the conventional 3Ser and C series

 

its 2L, 200hp much more powerful than the 318 (136hp) and c180, but its rear is really cramp

 

C180 seats are poor, little cushion and artificial leather with no leather smell, and the 2014-2016 versions dont even have electronic seat adjustments in all directions, the black piano console also feels plastic like the XE

 

despite all these, these cars are all selling very well, which means each of these cars, including the Kia stinger will have lots of admirers

 

No car is perfect  

 

For the merc, although there is little cushion, on long distance its quite comfortable. 

My take is the most comfortable seat is still the S60.

 

For BMW 318, its 3 cylinder, depending on which generation you referring to,

 

And of course, some buys form or badge over function. 

Edited February 1, 2018 by Sdf4786k

[Nzy]

I guess it depends how much Kia is willing to spend on in house R&D, that's one area the conti manufacturers are constantly pouring money in.

 

Ya. If they continue improving like how they are right now then I think they will be able to chase up with conti cars. If they don't then they end up like the jap cars.

[Mercury1]

I guess its about innovating to the next level, comparatively the Stinger is now where for example the 3 series / C class is which was launched in 2012. Thing is would KIA take a bold move to become the market first mover? Be a risky move but that would really place them at the conti car manufacturers level. But then their cars would be priced at a whole different level if they had to use similar lightweight material etc 

 

 

 

Ya. If they continue improving like how they are right now then I think they will be able to chase up with conti cars. If they don't then they end up like the jap cars.

 

[fungyee77]

I guess its about innovating to the next level, comparatively the Stinger is now where for example the 3 series / C class is which was launched in 2012. Thing is would KIA take a bold move to become the market first mover? Be a risky move but that would really place them at the conti car manufacturers level. But then their cars would be priced at a whole different level if they had to use similar lightweight material etc 

 

I'm not sure Kia is a generation back, as you say. 

 

Sure, its interior is not at Audi A4 or C-class level, but then again its not meant to be. Its Genesis G70's role to fill. 

 

If you take stock of where the Stinger 3.3L is today, its:

- Faster than a S5 and 440i thru every gear

- With the space and utility of almost a A7

- With the interior quality of Arteon/Q50 or better

- With a longer warranty and price point of 60-70% that of the equivalent spec conti

 

Think the hardware gap is easier to fill, when they have the ability to poach world class talent, and with automotive technology being somewhat commoditized (where gearboxes, brakes, tech etc being provided by 3rd party manufacturers such as ZF, Brembo etc). 

 

The branding gap, that's tougher. As @Nzy mentioned, that may take a generation. 

[K5G1]

No doubt a "driver's car", some misses and decent discount-for-brand... overall good value-for-$$.

 

Surely the next iteration of Stinger will include fixes.. and will be priced higher.

 

So grab one now, if it fits what u need.

 

Branding means little to me, and my experience with KIA/Hyundai has been super from a reliability perspective.

 

Too bad at least for the next few years I just need more rear leg and head room than they put into the car.. ☹

[Freeder]

I'm not sure Kia is a generation back, as you say. 

 

Sure, its interior is not at Audi A4 or C-class level, but then again its not meant to be. Its Genesis G70's role to fill. 

 

If you take stock of where the Stinger 3.3L is today, its:

- Faster than a S5 and 440i thru every gear

- With the space and utility of almost a A7

- With the interior quality of Arteon/Q50 or better

- With a longer warranty and price point of 60-70% that of the equivalent spec conti

 

Think the hardware gap is easier to fill, when they have the ability to poach world class talent, and with automotive technology being somewhat commoditized (where gearboxes, brakes, tech etc being provided by 3rd party manufacturers such as ZF, Brembo etc). 

 

The branding gap, that's tougher. As @Nzy mentioned, that may take a generation. 

 

Wah Bro......

Early morning , ur mind is very fresh to be able to write a comparison among other's make..

[fungyee77]

Wah Bro......

Early morning , ur mind is very fresh to be able to write a comparison among other's make..

Haha scanning market for arbitrage buys is a hobby of mine.

 

VW used to be a favorite arbitrage (Audi, Porsche tech at a discount). Then Skoda, Seat for the same reasons.

 

More recently, was interested in the Q50 Red Sport (cheapest 400hp car around).

 

In this context, Kia has been hitting the ball out of the park of late, with the Sorento earlier and with the Stinger this year.

[Mercury1]

I guess the point I was putting forth and from my view anyway a car manufacturer to be at the forefront would need to beyond what we already take as norms today. For example comparatively there is a guy who build a car in his barn that has more power than a Bugatti and goes quicker. If you put the challenge to the Chinese manufacturers I am sure they can just as easily tonk out a fast drivable sedan that can maybe go even quicker than an M3 (How well it handles would be another question)

 

(http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3317420/Petrolhead-splashes-75-000-building-dream-car-s-TWICE-powerful-1m-Bugatti-Veyron-s-got-no-roof-sides.html)

 

The challenge here is to build a car with the same driving dynamics, space and comfort and yet find a way to way to increase the below.

 

- Fuel Efficiency 

- Decreased Carbon emission

- Lightweight 

- Efficiently designed engines (i.e produce same or more power and yet not increase the cubic size)

- Increase safety 

- etc (there is a long list can't recall of the top)

 

Same reason why conti car companies pour money into F1 engine design, F1 is where they develop and test cutting edge technology that one day makes it into our regular cars. 

 

http://www.espn.com/f1/story/_/id/15097284/how-two-cylinder-engines-f1-technology-redefine-road-cars

 

There are also other considerations, for example I know know of Bmw which uses magnesium alloy in its engine production (a particularly expensive production) , if Kia adopts similar technique they would need re-tool the production line and thereby increase cost.

 

This is what I meant by "Thing is would KIA take a bold move to become the market first mover? Be a risky move but that would really place them at the conti car manufacturers level. But then their cars would be priced at a whole different level if they had to use similar lightweight material etc"

 

 

https://www.just-auto.com/analysis/magnesium-in-car-production-a-weighting-game_id176723.aspx

 

In this day and age of dwindling resources and global warming we need more manufacturers to push the boundaries but yet give us the comforts we are used too, question is who is gonna take the risk and lead the pack?

 

Most of this doesn't matter to normal consumers, most will look at things like price, space, speed, badge and what have you.

 

 

I'm not sure Kia is a generation back, as you say. 

 

Sure, its interior is not at Audi A4 or C-class level, but then again its not meant to be. Its Genesis G70's role to fill. 

 

If you take stock of where the Stinger 3.3L is today, its:

- Faster than a S5 and 440i thru every gear

- With the space and utility of almost a A7

- With the interior quality of Arteon/Q50 or better

- With a longer warranty and price point of 60-70% that of the equivalent spec conti

 

Think the hardware gap is easier to fill, when they have the ability to poach world class talent, and with automotive technology being somewhat commoditized (where gearboxes, brakes, tech etc being provided by 3rd party manufacturers such as ZF, Brembo etc). 

 

The branding gap, that's tougher. As @Nzy mentioned, that may take a generation. 

 

[teomingern]

Wah... using cutting edge tech and not charging cutting edge pricing is pretty tough balancing act I say...

[Mercury1]

Unfortunately these brands were at one point so good it became a status symbol, but separating the brand whores from those who really into the depths of things the conti brands really put alot of R&D which needs to be understood. Although I am impressed by the Kia Stinger I would be more impressed if they can one day take it to the next level thru their own R&D.

 

Just for thought car manufacturers who make create strong lightweight alloy usually thru years of research trial and error, its an industry secret not easily replicated by poaching staff and almost impossible recreate thru reverse engineering.

 

Same reason why China took so long to create their own Jet Engine, they just could not reverse engineer the Russian ones to give the same performance.

 

Taken from "Reverse Engineering: Technology of Reinvention"

 

 

 

Wah... using cutting edge tech and not charging cutting edge pricing is pretty tough balancing act I say...

 

[Sdf4786k]

Wah... using cutting edge tech and not charging cutting edge pricing is pretty tough balancing act I say...

I would say wah.. having a good product and yet dealer dont carrot you is a tough decision.

 

Looking at PML SGD 85,000 profit for every 5 series is a good example.

 

But, as PML also have to sustain facilities and feed a group of people, that's expected.

Long live King Long! No wonder so many choose to pirate their badge

 

I would say go for after market badge like this.

 

https://youtu.be/kiiALs2rjsY

 

 

Edited February 2, 2018 by Sdf4786k

[teomingern]

I mean seriously if you bought a Kia - own it lar... why debadge it?

[Freeder]

Seriously, Kia logo is damned fugly...

Sorry, the truth hurts or Hard Truth in LKY context..

[Simplecar]

Seriously, Kia logo is damned fugly...

Sorry, the truth hurts or Hard Truth in LKY context..ð

the logo is just plain. Not ugly to me. I am still using keeping it for my KIA.

[Sdf4786k]

I mean seriously if you bought a Kia - own it lar... why debadge it?

 

the car looks great.

 

But the badge is like a ketchup stain on a nice tuxedo. 

 

People will not notice how it looks but speak about the badge distraction like what this thread is starting to.

[Simplecar]

some need their cars to be statements of their personalities, achievements. Like Jewelry.

 

I am happy to note that KIA dares to dream, to have the power to surprise.

 

I hope to see more Stingers on the road.

[Nzy]

I would say wah.. having a good product and yet dealer dont carrot you is a tough decision.

 

Looking at PML SGD 85,000 profit for every 5 series is a good example.

 

But, as PML also have to sustain facilities and feed a group of people, that's expected.

 

I would say go for after market badge like this.

 

https://youtu.be/kiiALs2rjsY

 

 

 

I thought the E badge is not aftermarket but the badge used for the Stingers sold in South Korea? Kia mentioned that the KIA badge attracts more people so they stuck with the KIA badge outside of South Korea.