Traded in the Fusion....

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: artificialist
Modern turbo engines are usually at or close to maximum torque by 2500 RPM, and come onto boost smoothly, eliminating the need for a V6 engine.

You have to drive one to feel the difference.


I'd have to agree with this. If one wants torque, a turbocharged engine (done right) is where to be. A naturally-aspirated smaller displacement V-6 is actually not going to be as optimized for low-end grunt as it will be stronger mid- and upper-range horsepower.

If you want torque without a V-8 engine, you want an OEM turbo setup.

 

[cchase]

I hope your wife won't be parallel parking much with those wheels or they won't look like that for long!

 

[panthermike]

Originally Posted By: cchase
I hope your wife won't be parallel parking much with those wheels or they won't look like that for long!


Not much parallel parking around here really. Most of the time when it comes up though, I have to do it.

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: artificialist

Modern turbo engines are usually at or close to maximum torque by 2500 RPM, and come onto boost smoothly, eliminating the need for a V6 engine.

You have to drive one to feel the difference.


Agreed. Between modern torque-converter automatics and modern turbo engines, one really does not miss the displacement. It's a slightly different story with a manual since one is missing the torque multiplication of an unlocked torque converter, and relies completely on the engine.

When I test-drove 1.4T Cruzes both auto and manual, the auto version felt like a much larger engine when given the beans. Feeling the transition between torque-converter torque multiplication and the turbo taking over was impossible. It just went, no matter what. The manual needs to come onto its boost peak at 1800 RPM before it really scoots, reminiscent of a lazy automatic that tries to hold a gear before downshifting. Well, that's what dropping a gear is for!

Either way, one does not miss a larger engine.

That Kia looks sharp in the pictures! Enjoy!

 

[panthermike]

Thanks, I think we will enjoy it!

On the topic of torque in this turbo engine, all 269tq is available at 1750rpm.

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: panthermike
Thanks, I think we will enjoy it!

On the topic of torque in this turbo engine, all 269tq is available at 1750rpm.


Wow, that's a boatload of torque available that low! Right in the middle of the usable rev range. I bet it pulls pretty nicely at WOT...

 

[panthermike]

Originally Posted By: sciphi
Originally Posted By: panthermike
Thanks, I think we will enjoy it!

On the topic of torque in this turbo engine, all 269tq is available at 1750rpm.


Wow, that's a boatload of torque available that low! Right in the middle of the usable rev range. I bet it pulls pretty nicely at WOT...


Well, haven't had a chance to do WOT yet, trying to be good about the 600 mile break-in per the manual. Very hard though! It has around 140 miles now, next weekend we'll take it up North, about a 144 mile round trip. That will be a good test as well, some nice grades on that drive.

 

[mechanicx]

Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah
Very nice Mike!

Enjoy the new ride and be safe. Keep us informed with your findings.

Just got back from Florida and was BLOWN away from all the Kias and Hyundais around there. More than I've ever seen in any other state.

Went through 3 cars before I got something to rent. Ended up with a new Impala that I'll write up soon.

Take care, Bill

PS: Love the color! I'd pick the Kia over the Hyundai too!


Bill, did you or are you still planning to do a write up on the Impala? I've been waiting for it since I saw you rnted one and said you were going to do a write up. If not detailed at least give your impressions was it good, bad or mixed. I tend to think the Malibu is a slightly better car over the Impala.

 

[Bill in Utah]

Originally Posted By: mechanicx

Bill, did you or are you still planning to do a write up on the Impala? I've been waiting for it since I saw you rnted one and said you were going to do a write up. If not detailed at least give your impressions was it good, bad or mixed. I tend to think the Malibu is a slightly better car over the Impala.


I'm going to try to get to it this weekend. Stay tuned! It will be short.

Take care, bill

 

[addyguy]

panthermike,

What oil will you run in this? I think Hyundai/Kia allows up to a 5W-40 in this engine....any plans on what you'd like to use?

 

[panthermike]

Originally Posted By: addyguy
panthermike,

What oil will you run in this? I think Hyundai/Kia allows up to a 5W-40 in this engine....any plans on what you'd like to use?


That's a good question addyguy, I was thinking either Rotella T6 or Schaeffer's 5w40 possibly. Just have to make sure the specs are there. Open to suggestions though. I'm definately leaning towards 5w40 being that it's turbocharged and DI.

 

[Spazdog]

I cannot believe how far Kia has come in such a short time.

The original Sephia was possibly the worst of the Mazda Protege' chassis cars. That includes the Ford Escort with the Constant Vibration and Harshness engine.

Now the Forte is not only attractive, but has class competitive horsepower, corners fairly well (not great but better than any Sephia) the interior looks nice (until you touch the hard plastic. It's not pleasant feeling but it looks like it would be) and dollar for dollar, is the match for any of it's competitors.

But the real success story is the Optima.

It went from this Hannibal Lector grill thing:

To the OP's new car. In about a decade.

That's a LOT of improvement.

The original had a fair Hyundai 2.4 or an okay 2.7 V6 and a decent automatic. That's about all it had going for it. Everything else felt and looked like how I imagine a Chinese car would be. The seats were unsupportive, it was grotesquely undersprung and underdamped and would corner with tons of body roll and little control, the instruments were lighted with a sickening "Exorcist Pea Soup Green" lighting, and they covered the interior with these odd orange colored obviously fake wood appliques.

It went dead last in comparisons. And the media was a lot nicer about it than I am. It was doubly cursed in being a poor driving car and being ugly

You really have to know how bad the original Optima was to truly appreciate how good the current Optima is. The current model isn't just a looker, it goes and turns too. And the interior is well appointed and very stylish. It's an astounding turnaround in a relatively short amount of time.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Funny-looking wheels. Nice car.

But I would pay more to NOT get half the stuff on it...leather, auto headlights, HID headlights, no way.

 

[dwcopple]

Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
leather, no way.
Oh, Yes way. For sure.

 

[Jarlaxle]

The overpowering smell sometimes makes me physically ill. One stipulation when I bought a Hemi Magnum (only comes with leather seats) was there be ZERO smell or I would refuse delivery. I would willingly have paid a premium to get the SXT's cloth seats.