Sting me, if you can: test drive Kia Stinger

Sting me, if you can: test drive Kia Stinger

Brief specifications: Dimensions (L x W x H), mm: 4,830 х 1,870 х 1,400 Power: 247 hp Transmission: 8-speed, automatic Acceleration from 0-100 km / h: 6 sec Maximum speed: 240 km / h Drive unit: fullStinger is not only a "sting" but also a "stinging insect", "whiskey with soda" and even "stinging answer". The Korean brand, a decade ago, interrupted by Mitsubishi's old engines to even older Mazda engines, now encroached on the sacred - a segment of rear-drive "grand tourists". And no matter how condescendingly they looked at this stinging insect from Stuttgart, Munich, and Ingolstadt, a stinging response was at least interesting. Especially if you compare prices. Stinger, presented in 2017 in Geneva after the furor in the States - a piece of a completely different caliber, and, as it seems, quite promising, with its audience. Charged liftback for four-five seats is still a marketing move - implies a special philosophy of both the owner and his family. Like the wives and children in such a car most likely should not be ... But with considerable dimensions - the length is 4,830 mm, width is 1,870 mm - and inherent in this Gran Turismo a lot, 406-liter boot, why not?  A powerful, heavyweight silhouette, almost in the spirit of muscle cars. And then follows a miracle. Several correctly drawn lines dividing the monolith into its constituents unexpectedly visually simplify the design. The same narrow and deep introduction of the continuations of the rear lights into the wings are unusual but justified. Justified and a small, like a hatch, the bonnet cover, which reminded me of Porsche ...Yes, the 2.0-liter all-wheel-drive version with leather interior, LED headlights, self-locking differential, alloy wheels, seat and steering heating, climate triplex, rearview camera and other buns will charm anyone ... To the pluses, I'll take the analog instrument panel hidden in the oval niche with white backlighting and excellent graphics, which fits into any interior solutions. For fans of "figures" - a widescreen display of the limbs, with the output, as usual, of the tuning parameters of the car, as well as navigation. The same, in the optional version or the GT-Line configuration, is duplicated and is projected onto the windshield. The entire set of functions of the onboard computer is flipped and changed with the buttons on the steering wheel. But their traditional layout is changed - placed on the right spoke along with cruise control and speed limiter, while the phone and audio controls are on the left. Switch all this wealth to the touch immediately does not work. In general, the steering wheel Stinger with an electric motor on the rail, which creates the effect of a full-power hydraulic booster with real, unintelligent rigidity, is frankly good. In the configuration of the GT-Line servo, its adjustment in a large range is also an undeniable advantage. Only now, I could not get used to the diameter of the grip cut from the bottom of the steering wheel, and that's why. The usual size seemed to be huge for the already mentioned elegant device. However, thanks to a very short move of 2.3 turns, this did not become a principal minus. The surprise was caused by a tiny plastic "spinny thing" on a massive central tunnel near the selector of the automatic transmission, driving the Drive Mode - a preset interaction of the most important systems. In its place, however, something more serious, lasting and memorable is asked for. But it is much more convenient than the same buttons: there is no need to lower your eyes below the device, which shows the change of modes, and the fingers are not exactly mistaken. There are five of them on the 2.0-liter car, including two besides the usual ECO, Comfort and Sport - Smart, which adjusts Stinger for your style, and Custom, with individual settings. All of them, as usual, change the ratio of the settings of automatic transmission, engine, steering, and suspension. The latter, by the way, with MacPherson in front and a lot of leverage from the rear. But all the buzz of an elevator - or fastback, which is considered Stinger - in the engine. At idle, the sound of the familiar Optima GT motor Theta II with supercharged is almost normal. Slightly "chilled", but without a special tear, despite two pairs of exhaust nozzles. Fit under a leather-covered armchair, the swing of the side pickups of which will fit even the driver with wrestling back, touch the joystick and smoothly start from the spot. No jerks, just barely noticeable, and, it seemed, too hasty switching the brand-name 8-speed automatic. It is not quite normal, without the usual "P" position, which is activated by a separate button. It turns out in the "Parking" you can switch from any mode, and it is faster and easier than with the traditional scheme. For the safety of the car-sting, a lot of well-known electronic systems, and with passive safety, he has everything in the norm, including a rigid body with hot stamping steels and seven airbags. The only thing I would add is the back massager for car (like these https://www.bestadvisor.com/car-massager ), but that's already the personal preferences of everyone.By the way, excessive, "autopilot" electronics in fastback is not provided, and for comfortable functions like ventilation front seats heating rear and third zone, climate control can also be paid. Although you can do without it, choosing a basic, rear-wheel drive version of the car with the same engine Theta II, only de-rated to 197 hp, or the same, 247-strong. The first promise in the near future, not only in the price list but also in all dealer centers. YOU WILL LIKE KIA STINGER 2.0 AWD, IF: 1. You want the most unusual Gran Turismo; 2. You are not ready to spend money on "premium"; 3. In you, too, is a sting. KIA STINGER 2.0 AWD DO NOT LIKE IF: 1. You are conservative in the perception of forms; 2. "Gran Turismo cannot be Korean!"; 3. You are a boring homebody.