Kia Stinger GT

[kevm14]

http://www.motortrend.com/news/kia-stin ... DFA39047CD

They had a chance to make an ATS-like car at Chevrolet prices, and neglected to do so. Probably worth speculating why though it is probably not that hard to figure out.

The bigger and higher performing Chevy SS is right in the meat of this car's price range...

Though in the highest trims, the SS may not really be that much higher performing, looking strictly at HP/weight. That said, it is still a lot bigger for not too much weight penalty.

Worth touting on the SS: it is in incredibly rarefied territory being available with a manual transmission. This new Kia, like many others, is not.

[Bob]

They had a chance to make an ATS-like car at Chevrolet prices, and neglected to do so. Probably worth speculating why though it is probably not that hard to figure out.

Probably because while the ATS is a great enthusiast's car, it isn't exactly setting the world on fire when it comes to sales figures.

[kevm14]

That is one interpretation. Where I was going was that it may be very difficult to sell a premium platform at cheap prices. The easiest thing all the OEMs discover is to mark it up and throw crap at it until there is "value."

In terms of Alpha, I don't really see why GM couldn't sell a Camaro sedan - it would probably be a few thousand more than the Camaro at a given trim level. Which would mean that a Camaro SS sedan would be almost as much as the Chevy SS. It would be a better car than the Chevy SS, but smaller, and also not cheaper.

[kevm14]

Probably because while the ATS is a great enthusiast's car, it isn't exactly setting the world on fire when it comes to sales figures.

One reason is probably because most people aren't driving enthusiasts. They just want something premium that looks like they have money (and to lease it). I happen to think that the ATS has great styling that also isn't derivative of anything else (a hard claim to make in 2017) but I think the badge is the bigger problem. They just need to continue making great products and moving up market. Eventually the Cadillac name should be something people want, rather than want to avoid.

[Bob]

That is one interpretation. Where I was going was that it may be very difficult to sell a premium platform at cheap prices. The easiest thing all the OEMs discover is to mark it up and throw crap at it until there is "value."

That's because every marketing person is trained to sell value. They're not going to impress anyone by going into a meeting and saying "I figured out how we can sell this premium platform really cheap."

[kevm14]

All I am saying is that no one makes a premium platformed RWD sedan that starts in the $20k's and I don't see that changing.

[kevm14]

I meant to add: no one makes one with any engine, let alone a powerful V8.

[Bob]

The cheapest V8 RWD sedan in America is the Charger R/T, but the rest of the car is far from premium.

[kevm14]

Yes, I had similar thoughts.

And the R/T starts at $34k with 370 hp.

It runs 13.6 sec @ 105 mph. It's very close to my CTS-V. Which is also about the same as an LS1 F-body.

[kevm14]

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/20 ... est-review

So for a $40k base price, this one ran 12.9 @ 111. Chassis, however, is second rate. So, if you are choosing between vehicles with a second rate chassis, do you get this for $40k or something like a Charger Scat Pack? I think I'd choose the Scat Pack.

In the used market, this may become an interesting choice. We'll see. We'll also see, hopefully, if this was a ringer. I think it was. 365 hp and 4,000 lbs shouldn't add up to a 111 trap. More like 105.