[Kia Stinger News]

Most races are between vehicles in the same segment, but this one may seem like an oddity to most. The guys from Drive took at 2017 Type R, Golf R, Focus RS, and Stinger 330Si to the track for a "Best Performance Car Under $60,000" showdown. The winner will be crowned "2017 Drive Car of the Year".

Three of the contenders are hot hatches and very well known ones at that. Last year's winner was the focus RS and for good reason, especially with its 350 horsepower turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine and infamous drift mode. Then we have this year's newsworthy Civic Type with its turbo 2.0-liter inline-four delivering 306 hp to the front wheels. Last but not least is the Volkswagen Golf R and its 292-hp turbo 2.0-liter four and all-wheel drive.

Joining the lineup is the new Kia Stinger 330Si sedan and it stands out in this group. A twin turbo v6 cranks out an impressive 365 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic sending power to its rear wheel, the Stinger provides drivers with a refined ride.

In the end, only one car can lead the pack. Watch the full video below and let us know what you think of the outcome.

 

[KStingFan]

Too much attention to the Type R IMO...

I really like and respect this segment of cars, all of them are great and well-known, but for me of course, Stinger stands out from this competition. There is one aspect that beats all rivals... Kia Stinger is the absolutely new vehicle, and if I had my 60k I'd definitely spend it on Stinger.

 

[Bumblebee]

Hot hatches are a beast these days, but I just can't get over it's proportions and how they look like stout SUVs to me. The Focus RS certainly caught my attention with its drift mode, but that raised rump... The stinger may not be a home run in every category they tested, but it's perfect to me and affordable too.

 

[Jordan2]

Agree. But I hate Ford's suspension and transmission, so I'm putting it on the very bottom of my list.

Stinger is the most affordable car in that segment of the market and MAYBE better than some of these cars in terms of handlings.

 

[retroman]

The thing that gets me, is the curb weights of some of these hot hatches are crazy high. The Type R is just over 3150 lbs.....that's 150 heavier than my V6 Chevy Tracker/Grand Vitara four door 4x4; 1,400 lbs heavier than my 1992 Geo Metro convertible that I use as a toad.

We all know that weight is the biggest detriment to performance; for every 100 lbs of weight, you must add roughly 10 hp to maintain the same performance. If I were Kia I'd stick the Stinger on a bit of a diet (get rid of superfluous options like Traction control, ABS and vehicle stability control for starters. No back up camera or cameras in the side mirrors to cause grief later on; just a pure car with less weight and more performance.

Cheers
Tony

 

[GTSeoul]

The thing that gets me, is the curb weights of some of these hot hatches are crazy high. The Type R is just over 3150 lbs.....that's 150 heavier than my V6 Chevy Tracker/Grand Vitara four door 4x4; 1,400 lbs heavier than my 1992 Geo Metro convertible that I use as a toad.

We all know that weight is the biggest detriment to performance; for every 100 lbs of weight, you must add roughly 10 hp to maintain the same performance. If I were Kia I'd stick the Stinger on a bit of a diet (get rid of superfluous options like Traction control, ABS and vehicle stability control for starters. No back up camera or cameras in the side mirrors to cause grief later on; just a pure car with less weight and more performance.

Cheers
Tony

That's the problem with the lack of someone willing to raise the bar, they just let the market stay stagnant. At this rate they can come out with an even higher priced hatch with reduced weight and call it something along the lines of a 'Nurburgring Edition'

In a way I would like to see that happen and not.

 

[KoreanTune]

I think its to everyone's benefit for there to be such stiff competition in this segment. Not only does it allow drivers countless options in brands and trims, but it will also force automakers to adjust their price/specs to beat out their rivals. I'd have to agree though, that imo the stinger sits on the throne for the simple fact that its a brand new model.

 

[GTSeoul]

I'd have to agree though, that imo the stinger sits on the throne for the simple fact that its a brand new model.

No... it brings to the market a configuration that we always needed from a car maker that's in the business of affordable vehicles.
This is essentially a poor mans Panamera.... that's the best way to put it.

 

[KoreanTune]

Well considering some of the tune results already available online, it looks as though the stinger is already capable of putting close to 400whp. That puts it pretty close to cars in a much higher price bracket. Keep in mind this increase in performance was accomplished on a chip alone, so who knows how much further its specs can be pushed with additional upgrades.

 

[GTSeoul]

That has me interested in seeing what a track build would do especially as that builder cuts weight. With that sort of power and 300-500 LBS less it can have the potential to feel zippy. However it will require some expensive weight reduction.

 

[Bumblebee]

Could just remove the rear seats and that's a load from the Stinger, but any more than that would require lighter body panels which is not worth the modification for something like the Stinger. Seems more like what you'd do with a track specific car like the super sports.

 

[KoreanTune]

If you want to see just how far the Stinger can be pushed, it's probably a safe bet to keep an eye on how it performs in the racing world. Save us some time and money, to see what exactly the Stinger is capable of. I bet this version is about as light as it can get.

 

[GTSeoul]

That has me thinking how a GT300 or DTM style Stinger would look. It has the body lines for it and already aftermarket is picking up to a point someone will do it. Although at first we might see overfenders before a full kit comes to market.

 

[KoreanTune]

Yeah I can't wait to see what kind of widebody kits we see come out for this car. We all know what kind of difference can be made simply by extending the fenders and adding some custom lips/skirts. I'm sure most people have seen the West Coast Custom Stinger from SEMA but ill drop it here anyways. Love how it looks.

 

[GTSeoul]

Varis has been one of my favorite brands with how much they raise the bar. GT-R and the new MKIV Supra kit are amazing which has me wondering what we can expect from them on the Stinger. A kit as curvy and wild as what's on the Supra could work on the Stinger.

 

[KoreanTune]

I'm really hoping the Stinger opens the door for all Kia aftermarket modifications. As it looks like were getting a Stinger inspired Forte and I'm sure other models down the line, there will be a much bigger need for aftermarket performance and styling options. I wonder if we will see any of these new performance trims at the upcoming Chicago Auto Show.