2018 Kia Stinger GT
 

Starting to see some interesting things coming out of NAIAS this week. This one caught my eye
2018 Kia Stinger is a stylish gran turismo with biturbo V6 power
2018 Kia Stinger GT Photo Gallery | Motor1.com

Pretty nice overall package even if the styling is overdone in some spots


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...80e6f45fb8.jpg


Bi-turbo v6 and RWD or AWD ...

It will be a decent buy in the used market. But KIA's and Hyundai's depreciate big time. People who buy these new are going to lose $$$.

But they won't be stealing any euro customers, no one (on any decent scale anyway) is going to pay 50k for a KIA

But it gives folks who cant quite reach the 70k level Euro cars something to give a serious look at. And something that isnt a Dodge. This definitely puts some pressure on Mazda for a pressurized V6 in a Mazdaspeed 6...

There are lot's of options from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes for under 70k. I don't think it will be any more competitive than their other luxury offerings. I was in a new Genesis Sedan recently and it was pretty sad.

It looks pretty. Does it actually handle and withstand is a different story - 9k, I'd often wondered about the Genesis. I thought the coupes looked nice, and I'd buy a used one but I couldn't really fathom a new one. I'd love to see another FI Speed6. I would buy a new Mazda. I like them. Hell, I find my 8 more comfortable than my Saab most days.

speaking of sedans coming out that will be wicked. The Alpha Romeo Giulia is sick. Its going to be the M5 killer


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...b33735637b.jpg

Yeah that thing is definitely on my radar.

The styling seems really confused to me. A whole lotta Jaguar and a little Audi. The grille evokes BMW a bit. I hate the C pillar area and the chrome strip running down it.

I REALLY wish Mazda was attacking the rwd premium area and not letting the Koreans get there first. Even the 2.5 turbo 4 cyl in longitudinal configuration would work in a BMW 3 fighter. Of course, not to mention the rotary powered stuff.

Paul.

meh , who am i kidding i wont be able to afford anything much north of 30k :)

Well wait, and then 6 months after the Stinger is released you will be able to get a barely used one for 30k or less.

drool

The Giulia Quadrofoglio is on the top of my list. They just need it in a wagon and in manual. (They announced no manuals for USA and no wagon/manual for USA).

I would have plunked down loan money for that car, and new. I also would buy a Mazda RX-9 new as well. (RU listening Mazda).

Ed
still drooling

Sorry...no stick = no sale.

Yup..I learned this when I was considering a Genesis Coupe. I was shocked how cheap you could get them at only a year or 2 old. Their depreciation is beyond horrible. It's probably pretty close, but KIA/Hyundai depreciation may be just as bad or maybe even worse than Chrysler.

Seriously, look up the KIA K900, they are 50k+ new and you can get one with 1000 miles on it for under 40k and one with 5000 miles on it for under 30k.

The Giulia is super high on my list, but also massively out of my price range. I've got a max 40k line of credit for a loan goes, but I'd love to be able to have 10-15k to drop on a new fun DD.

And the KIA Stinger is coming to Oz too.

MAZDA NEEDS THE AWD (LIKE AVAILABLE IN EU AND JAPAN) IN THE MAZDA 6 NOW!
MAZDA NEEDS A Skyactiv V6 IN THE MAZDA 6 NOW!

Dopes!

And yeah the 2.2 SA-Diesel is coming to the USA in Mazda 6, but it will not work, they may sell about 7,000 a year in US (not enough), with a decent V6 they would see 25,000 extra units or more.

fixing:

MAZDA NEEDS A RWD PLATFORM FOR MIDSIZE /BIG CARS.

So much this. I actually just leased a Mazda 6, with the hope by the time the next generation one comes out, they offer AWD and better engine choices. I'd feel much better about buying then.

Who does Mazda feel is their direct competition, anyway?

They want to receive a premium price for their vehicles, but they are not building a product that goes toe to toe with BMW, Infiniti, or Acura in all aspects.

They are not trying to set US Sales records by competing against the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion, or the Nissan Altima, but the Mazda 3 can barely even beat out the Subaru Impreza and VW Golf for sales. The Mazda 6 did beat out the Buick Regal in mid size sales.

The CX-3 lost to the Juke by 1k sales, but it did whoop the Mini Countryman by nearly 6k.

45k sales of the Mazda 6 would beat out the BMW 5 series, but is way below the BMW 3 series, which sold 70k cars. It does barely nudge off the Infiniti Q50, which sold 44k units.

So, it seems that all of us want Mazda to compete with the premium makes, but yet Mazda itself does not want to give us users cars that do in fact directly compete in that segment.

You are right that the Mazda 3 and the Mazda 6 with the Turbo 2.5 would directly compete with the BMW 3 and 5 series vehicles, along with a large list of other entry level premium segment products.

Why don't they want to go this route?

BC.

The Koreans have the benefit of scale so they can spread out development costs over a larger area. I'd bet the technology from the RWD Stinger platform is (or will be) heavily shared with the Genesis cars as well as at least one Hyundai.

I doubt Mazda can easily afford the R&D for a RWD/AWD platform that would only fit one car.