Thanks to impeccable timing, Kia Australia
slots its rear-wheel-drive high performance sedan into the Aussie marketplace,
just as the previous star of the segment, the Holden Commodore SS-V Redline
departs – thanks to GM’s withdrawal from local manufacturing.
Up front the Stinger has a twin-turbo 3.0L
V6, mated to a slick 7-speed (torque convertor) auto and outputs 272kW; plus an
amazing 510Nm of torque available from 1300rpm!
Acceleration delivers a 0-100km/h time of
5.0 seconds according to WHEELS magazine.
But my couple of hundred kilometres
behind the wheel was all the convincing I needed to rank this Korean car
alongside the Commodore as a perfect match.
As most writers have pointed out, the
Stinger is a surprising addition to the Kia range.
In fact, without being at all derogatory, it could be
considered a modern day dinosaur – with the personal car paradigm shifting to
green credentials, alternative powertrains, autonomous driving, and shared
ownership – it sort of leaves the Stinger out on a limb. But it's as modern as tomorrow.
However, the people who may have lined up
for a Commodore or Falcon V8 performance sedan, will love this car. It’s
performance credentials are top notch; handling is super stable; it turns in
like a racer and the finish is exemplary. This is a car at the top of the curve
– well designed, well specified and well built, and it deserves to succeed.
Apart from a lumpy ride, even on the
comfort setting, I can’t fault the Stinger. If this is what turns you on, you
won’t be left wanting. The Stinger stimulates and satisfies in equal measure.
However, in my opinion there is a sting in
this tale. I think this could be the best package to come out of Korea, it is a
world-class benchmark car. So much so that my own comparison scenario is not
against GM’s Commodore, but a more surprising competitor.
I rank this car alongside the hugely
successful Mercedes-Benz C200 sedan – it’s that good!
Inside, the materials
finish, the trim fit, the quality of equipment and the interior
layout is truly world-class.
His touch is everywhere – in the choice of
materials, the scope of the interior design approach and the quality of the
overall vision of how things should look, and just as important, feel.
Also, why shouldn’t Kia (and Hyundai)
challenge the automotive world, to produce high quality finishes, as well as
competitive powertrains and performance statistics?
With the Stinger, Kia is demonstrating the
depth of its vision in matching appearance, design, trim quality, performance and equipment,
with world’s best benchmark cars, at very competitive prices.
Since I spent just over three years working
with Korean company Daewoo, I have always felt Korean engineers were more
than capable of meeting their competition on the big playing field; they just
needed a guiding light possessing a mature industry background.
In Daewoo’s case it was Ing. Dr. Ulrich
Bez; and in the case of Hyundai-Kia, it is Peter Schreyer.
It’s not too late to say, watch these
companies – they’re headed for the top of the hill – with affordable quality
cars you’ll be proud to own. That is, unless you have a badge bias.
This KIA car looks so beautiful.It has all those thing which I will consider before buying the car.Its my next purchase car for sure.
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