RE: PH 2017: Surprise of the year
Discussion
To throw my two penneth in, I think the Stinger and Hyundai are great. Any diversity amongst car design is welcome in my book, they could have made (another) diesely/hybrid SUV (by my count they have at least 7 between them) but they’ve at least tried to build a “driver’s car” from scratch.
They went about the aesthetic redesign the right way getting in an ex-VAG group designer in (I think even the snobbiest of badge snobs would be hard pressed to say the newer sportage/c’eed/picanto don’t look better than their early noughties predecessors) and now from what I understand they’ve got in an ex-BMW bod in to give them a lift dynamically.
As for their badges, so what, I’d rather be sat in a car I want to drive with a smile on my face, rather than making myself feel better by bemoaning others’ car choices while polishing my shiny (non brand specific) premium steering wheel badge.
They went about the aesthetic redesign the right way getting in an ex-VAG group designer in (I think even the snobbiest of badge snobs would be hard pressed to say the newer sportage/c’eed/picanto don’t look better than their early noughties predecessors) and now from what I understand they’ve got in an ex-BMW bod in to give them a lift dynamically.
As for their badges, so what, I’d rather be sat in a car I want to drive with a smile on my face, rather than making myself feel better by bemoaning others’ car choices while polishing my shiny (non brand specific) premium steering wheel badge.
kambites said:
theplayingmantis said:
sadly society will think you have failed though. such is the badge snobbery
I'm not sure that's really true on the other side of the Atlantic. I mean, when Kia launched years ago it was greeted with a couple of snickers. And car shoppers weren't surprised to discover that the dealership experience was, to borrow an English term, a bit council.
The generous 10 year warranty gave Kia shoppers a reason to reassess the brand. There is, at the end of the day, an element of striving -- a personality trait not unknown in this country.
As long as the Kia owner avoids things like tinted windows, window decals, aftermarket exhausts, Halfords-style glue-on bits, and that sort of thing, I don't believe his Yank neighbours will care, one way or the other.
The restrained Kia buyer may be perceived as as smart shopper. More for less. With a couple of appealing lines and shapes thrown in that make things easy on the eye.
Hyundai, on the other hand, have captured people's imaginations somewhat. Americans are impressed with the extraordinary way that Genesis has progressed as well as the strong first efforts of the G80, G80 Sport, and the G90.
There is a perception that the Koreans at Hyundai have hired Europeans, Americans and others on the basis of merit and that something interesting is about to happen. They're building a public experience centre in a natty part of Manhattan -- and for an eye watering sum. Nevertheless, the headquarters of Genesis USA is in Southern California, a region that, for many, serves as bellwether for the industry.
LayZ said:
Few reviews put the car on a lift -- like this one -- and devote time to discussing the chassis, suspension, and underside gubbins. And, of course, who doesn't love the on-road segment... the sound of 650 hp / 650 tq. Thanks for posting that.At the moment Camaro is probably better than Mustang in terms of engineering, dynamics, and creature comforts. But, visually, I do prefer the more classical lines of the Mustang exterior. Mustang in a dark colour -- particularly the colour called Magnetic -- resembles "an Aston Martin for the rest of us."
unsprung said:
Mustang in a dark colour -- particularly the colour called Magnetic -- resembles "an Aston Martin for the rest of us."
Maybe if you squint in the dark. To me, they look more like an Audi and rarely get a second glance.That said, the Camaro is no looker and most muscle cars need dressing up in muscle attire to really "pop".
LuS1fer said:
Maybe if you squint in the dark. To me, they look more like an Audi and rarely get a second glance.
Hey Man. Vive la difference, as Johnny French might say. As you already know, I run an LS car. So I'm not speaking as an acolyte of the blue oval. The current Mustang, however, has that blend of classical and contemporary which, IMHO, looks smart (and which eluded modern Mustangs for generations). It is at once distinctive and belonging to something bigger than itself. A certain look, a particular lifestyle, a way of experiencing travel.
Only my two cents, for what it's worth.
Furthermore, if / when any of the three leading muscle cars should disappear, I'll probably become all misty-eyed.
I do enjoy this look (perhaps with different wheels):
SidewaysSi said:
The Kia is a decent car but has hardly smashed the class so I don't see what all the fuss is about.
Expected it to be below average. Actually it is better than average. Woo hoo big surprise.
..the big fuss is that its a RWD saloon not made in Italy, Japan or Germany, going up against Audi, BMW and Merc V6/V8 level models and NOT being outclassed and coming last in group tests. When did that last happen? I recall Nissan having a bash with their G37 model a while back and not doing so well and that's a company that gave us treats such as the 350Z and GTR. ...Kia have no history of producing anything remotely driver orientated or RWD so its a bit of a turn up really that, for example this week, the Stinger beats the Audi S5 in Auto Express (who normally vote anything VAG related first in their road tests).Expected it to be below average. Actually it is better than average. Woo hoo big surprise.
...as for "Sadly society will think you've failed, such is the badge snobbery " (buying a Kia Stinger).....I had to laugh at that comment coming from an Alfa owner!! The opinion of most people I know is that they wouldn't touch an Alfa with a bargepole!
...Having said that, I hope that both Alfa and Kia flourish in the future. I'm really bored with the obsession with Audis, Mercs and BMWs...so some variety would be nice. Maybe Kia can turn into the new Saab, maker of cars for the thinking (non badge obsessed) person.....
Edited by greenarrow on Friday 29th December 22:00
Wish we would stop adopting Americanisms in the English language. It’s a saloon, not a sedan for crying out loud,,, another that gets on my tits is yard. It’s a garden, a yard is where builders etc keep their stuff
Anyway, back on topic. I think the Stinger looks great - saw it at Geneva back in March and thought it was lovely. Star of the year for me is the Lexus LC500 though. Stunning!
BTW some of the discussions on here are nothing more than childish willy-waving. I’d have one any day
Anyway, back on topic. I think the Stinger looks great - saw it at Geneva back in March and thought it was lovely. Star of the year for me is the Lexus LC500 though. Stunning!
BTW some of the discussions on here are nothing more than childish willy-waving. I’d have one any day
Edited by StescoG66 to add a silly wee rant at 08:05
iEdited by StescoG66 on Sunday 31st December 08:11
theplayingmantis said:
saxy said:
Drove the Kia Stinger the other day. The car is a good car full stop. Hugely practical, super comfy, kinda sexy, and all the performance you need really. I absolutely love the badge snobbery. It’s forcing my local Kia sell at a significant price cut. It’s just too good of a deal to pass by. Unlike the states where Kia is quite well known my country, mine is selling the GT2 fully loaded package for the price of the base GT. 365hp, RWD, LSD, Nappa leather, CarPlay, 19in rims, headsup display, power seats, tailgate, etc for the price of a Bmw 320i still with 16in wheels and no options.
My car will be here in March
sadly society will think you have failed though. such is the badge snobberyMy car will be here in March
Edited by saxy on Monday 1st January 07:47
RamboLambo said:
theplayingmantis said:
assume this is a joke.
Nope, the joke is on you if you don't get it. Much rather have a Kia than some of the carp the germans are producing right now. You just have to part with your badge snobbery and look at the products objectivelysaxy said:
theplayingmantis said:
saxy said:
Drove the Kia Stinger the other day. The car is a good car full stop. Hugely practical, super comfy, kinda sexy, and all the performance you need really. I absolutely love the badge snobbery. It’s forcing my local Kia sell at a significant price cut. It’s just too good of a deal to pass by. Unlike the states where Kia is quite well known my country, mine is selling the GT2 fully loaded package for the price of the base GT. 365hp, RWD, LSD, Nappa leather, CarPlay, 19in rims, headsup display, power seats, tailgate, etc for the price of a Bmw 320i still with 16in wheels and no options.
My car will be here in March
sadly society will think you have failed though. such is the badge snobberyMy car will be here in March
Edited by saxy on Monday 1st January 07:47
saxy said:
theplayingmantis said:
saxy said:
Drove the Kia Stinger the other day. The car is a good car full stop. Hugely practical, super comfy, kinda sexy, and all the performance you need really. I absolutely love the badge snobbery. It’s forcing my local Kia sell at a significant price cut. It’s just too good of a deal to pass by. Unlike the states where Kia is quite well known my country, mine is selling the GT2 fully loaded package for the price of the base GT. 365hp, RWD, LSD, Nappa leather, CarPlay, 19in rims, headsup display, power seats, tailgate, etc for the price of a Bmw 320i still with 16in wheels and no options.
My car will be here in March
sadly society will think you have failed though. such is the badge snobberyMy car will be here in March
Edited by saxy on Monday 1st January 07:47
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