ALIGNING THE BEST: VOLKSWAGEN ARTEON OR KIA STINGER
In the model ranges of mass brands there are fashion cars. Such models do not make a cash register, their goal is to show the ambitions and capabilities of the manufacturer, and they give the owner a chance to stand out from the crowd. Today, the most fashionable of the passenger classes is the four-door coupe. And such models are not only in the arsenal of premium brands. Compare German Arteon and Korean Stinger.
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In the summer of 2020, sales of the largest and most prestigious Volkswagen passenger car have recently started, and Arteon entered the European market three years earlier. The model became a replacement for the coupe-shaped CC sedan and took the place of the flagship after the departure of the Phaeton executive sedan from the market. The spectacular and richly equipped Arteon is ready to compete with premium brands, but it will also have to fight for the buyer with the most fashionable KIA.
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With the release of the Stinger in 2017, the Korean manufacturer showed the boldness of its ambitions. A large coupe-shaped car on a rear-wheel drive platform and with powerful engines – only cars of the most prestigious brands used to be like this. Worldwide sales of the Stinger last year amounted to about 26 thousand copies, Arteon sold only slightly better – about 29 thousand. In the total sales of KIA, a niche model occupies only 1%, for the Volkswagen brand – only half a percent.
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DESIGN
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Four-door coupes are more expensive than sedans and inferior to them in practicality. Without a bright design, you will not sell such a car. Arteon justifies the flagship position in the lineup not only with large dimensions. A wide and low car looks stylish, it has the right proportions, beautiful shapes and spectacular styling. Overlay on a massive radiator grill visually makes the hood even longer. The sidewalls of the rear fenders smoothly merge into the tailgate line. Arteon comes with 18″ or 19″ wheels, but 20″ rims are also available.
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As if pressed to the ground, Stinger looks sporty and elegant. A beautiful silhouette and attention to detail set it apart from the popular Optima. The harmony is somewhat violated by fake plastic “air ducts” on the hood. This coupe car can only be considered a sloping back roof line. At Volkswagen, according to the law of the genre, doors are frameless. The length of the Stinger is only slightly inferior to the German competitor, and the growth of the “Korean” is 5 cm lower. The base size of the rims is 18 inches, in more expensive versions it is R19.
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BEHIND THE WHEEL
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The interior of the Arteon is not as expressive as its exterior. Rather, it resembles a richly equipped Passat. However, you will not refuse him in manufacturability and solidity. The dashboard is made digital with a screen diagonal of 10.25 inches. In its entire width, you can open the map of the navigator. The large screen of the multimedia system is inscribed in the upper part of the central panel, and some of the functions are controlled by buttons. Comfortable seats, a plump steering wheel and an almost silent climate system create a comfortable atmosphere.
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The KIA salon looks more modest: the finishing materials are simpler, the devices are analog, the multimedia screen looks like a tablet installed on the panel. At the same time, the interior is perfectly assembled and functional, it also has beautiful elements, for example, three “turbines” of air ducts. The driver is not overloaded with communication with electronics thanks to physical buttons for all frequently used functions. Comfortable chairs are located lower than in Arteon. The upholstery option depends on the configuration: leather or eco-leather, Arteon has only natural leather and suede.
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FULL LOAD
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The second row of seats in Arteon turned out to be very spacious even by business class standards. However, when landing, you have to bow – this is a tribute to the stylish silhouette with a sloping roof. Three-zone climate control is offered as standard with a separate control unit for rear passengers. Arteon, like the Stinger, has a liftback body type: the tailgate opens with the glass. This is useful when loading large items. The presence of an electric drive depends on the configuration, as with KIA.
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The rear Stinger sofa is also quite spacious, but there is a little less knee room. The central tunnel will interfere with the person sitting in the center, but Arteon also has it. The advantage of the “Korean” is a three-zone climate, which is included in the standard equipment. The luggage compartment of the KIA is much more modest both in terms of decoration and size. The volume of the cargo compartment varies from 406 to 1114 liters. Arteon has from 563 to 1557 liters, which is better suited for car travel. Both cars are equipped with a compact spare wheel.
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POWER UNIT
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в последнее время Arteon предлагается c единственным силовым агрегатом, который хорошо известен по другим моделям концерна. Это двухлитровый бензиновый турбомотор и 7-ступенчатая роботизированная трансмиссия. Привод только на передние колеса. Появление 280-сильной полноприводной версии остается под вопросом. Впрочем, и 190 сил достаточно, чтобы разгоняться до 100 км/ч за 7,7 с. По оптимистичным данным производителя, расход топлива в городе составляет 8,4 л.
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The base Stinger is rear-wheel drive, but most versions are all-wheel drive. The choice of powertrains among Koreans is much wider. The initial version is a 197-horsepower 2-liter turbo. In acceleration to hundreds, it is only tenths of a second behind the Arteon. Much more dynamic than modifications with a 247-horsepower 2-liter engine. The top-of-the-line Stinger is in a higher league, with a 3.3-liter V6 engine producing 370 hp under the hood. with. All modifications are paired with an 8-speed automatic.
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CHASSIS
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While recently there is no Golf R model and similar “lighters”, Arteon is the most driving Volkswagen. It is equipped with an adaptive chassis with a wide range of settings: from ultra-comfortable to super-rigid. Sharp steering is designed for active drivers. The almost five-meter car quickly dives into turns and stands firmly on a given trajectory. A more expensive configuration offers adaptive cruise control, which can slow down, stop and resume the movement of the car. This is handy when driving in city traffic.
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Stinger is a kind of amateur athlete. And he also claims to be the most driver's car in the lineup. It has a tight suspension and a sharp steering wheel, which is conducive to fast driving. On bumps, the car shakes noticeably, but it does not knock it off the trajectory. With the help of electronics, you can increase the level of effort on the steering wheel, and in some versions also add volume to the exhaust system. Cruise control is standard, but only the most expensive version of the Stinger can keep the distance, and it won't help in traffic jams.
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EQUIPMENT
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Volkswagen Arteon is offered in just two trim levels, without the traditional long list of options. The basic equipment includes a sports body kit and R-Line interior decor, adaptive suspension, lane keeping system, LED headlights, keyless entry, three-zone climate control, an 8-inch multimedia display, a high-quality audio system with 8 speakers, a digital instrument panel, electric windshield heating and a rearview camera. In a more expensive configuration, there are four external video cameras, there is a smart cruise control, a panoramic roof, and the multimedia screen is larger and understands gestures and voice.
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KIA offers its own configurations for each of the engines, there are six in total. The base RWD Stinger comes standard with LED low and high beam headlights, light and rain sensors, keyless entry, power driver's seat, heated front seats and steering wheel, three-zone climate control and Launch Control for the most efficient standing start. The popular version of the GT-Line with spectacular styling features an electric steering column and tailgate, a 15-speaker audio system, a surround video system and other options.
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PRICES
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Volkswagen Arteon R-Line costs 2,639,000 conventional units, for R-Line Premium you will have to pay 2,999,000. Surcharges may require only a special body color: 33,500 for white mother-of-pearl or 15,000 for yellow. The remaining options are prosaic: these are shades of gray and black. Kia has more bright colors to choose from. For price comparison: a base Volkswagen Passat with the same powertrain is 300,000 cheaper. The price of an Audi A5 with a 190-horsepower engine is from 2,680,000, but with a similar configuration, a car of a more prestigious brand is about half a million more expensive.
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The base KIA is much more affordable than the “German”: 2,214,900 for a rear-wheel drive Stinger. With all-wheel drive – 2,364,900. Direct price comparison with Volkswagen will not work. With a similar engine power, the Stinger has a much more modest package. If you choose a level of equipment similar to Arteon, then the Stinger will be with a 247-horsepower engine and all-wheel drive. Such cars cost from 2,524,900, and 2,944,900 will have to be paid for the GT-Line version. The price of the Stinger GT with a 330-horsepower engine exceeds 3.5 million. And this once again proves the ambitious plans of the Korean manufacturer.
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SPECIFICATIONS VOLKSWAGEN ARTEON
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Overall dimensions, mm 4862×1871×1450
Trunk volume, l 563‒1557
Engine power, l. with. 190
Curb weight, kg 1600
Fuel consumption (combined cycle), l/100 km 6.4
Price, conventional units2 639,000 – 2,999,000
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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS KIA STINGER
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Overall dimensions, mm 4830×1870×1400
Trunk volume, l 406‒1114
Engine power, l. with. 197‒370
Curb weight, kg 1693‒1780
Fuel consumption (combined cycle), l/100 km 8.8‒10.6
Price, conventional units2 214 900 ‒ 3 504 900
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