Kia Motors recently released a thrilling stunt on its YouTube channel. It showed one K5 gliding below the other two K5s in the air. Here is the behind story of this challenge called Triple Threat Stunt.
Articles and images published by the Hyundai Motor Group Newsroom are fully available for public consumption.
(Please note that the above applies to content produced after May 4, 2018, only. Watermarked images may not be used without express consent.)
People holding walkie-talkies are constantly moving around on a wide racing course that is surrounded by containers, completely isolated from the outside world. At the center of the track are two leaps facing each other, wide apart. There is an unknown tension. At that moment, two dark blue K5s break the silence and run toward the takeoff. At the same time, another gray K5 makes a bold move, diving in between the two leaps.
"Triple Threat Stunt" is a 15-minute video posted on Kia Motors' official YouTube channel in the United States. 'Triple threat' refers to a person who has got three outstanding skills, and the company named their stunt cars 'triple threat' to underline their capacities. But why did they performed such a stunt with the new K5, which is not even specially-designed stunt vehicle? The reason can be found in the changes applied in the K5 released in North America last month.
The new K5 shows changes that go beyond their predecessors in design, safety and driving performance, engine and convenience features.
Based on its innovative design, third-generation platform with enhanced safety and driving performance, a new turbo engine with enhanced performance and efficiency, and state-of-the-art convenience features, the automaker started to sell K5 in the U.S. from July. With much more advanced features and precision, the new K5 represents the automaker's brand philosophy for locals, "Give It Everything,"
Kia Motors planned a stunt driving event to announce this drastic change in the new K5 and first introduced it live on their YouTube channel for about 15 minutes on July 29 (local time). We looked closely at the stunt, which made our palms all sweaty.
Powerful Yet Nimble: Artistic Stunt
Three professional stunt drivers gathered for the show on the outskirt of Atlanta, the United States: Brionna Lynch, Sean Graham, Jalil Jay Lynch, from the left.
The Triple Threat Stunt took place on a racing track on the outskirt of Atlanta in the U.S. Stunt drivers in three K5s stood on the stage. They needed to carefully calibrate the show; while the two K5s jump off the board, floating in the air, the other K5 slides in and spins 180 degrees below the two. Only a stunt car with great stability and a powerful engine could do the trick in order to get across the 15-meter gap. And at the same time, the car needs to be able to showcase nimble steering performance and suspension to succeed in a 180-degree spin, before the other two cars in the air touch the ground again.
Not only did the cars need to feature top-notch performances, but also exquisitely skillful stunt drivers.
All K5 launched in the U.S. houses a high-performance turbo engine regardless of the trim, say, a 1.6-liter turbocharged one. The one used for this stunt, GT, is the highest trim in the North American lineup, having a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder offering maximum power and torque of 290hp and 43.0kg·m, respectively, with an 8-speed wet dual clutch. Besides these, the K5 is equipped only with essentials, such as seats, seat belts, and roll cages for the safety of drivers, and skid plates for minimizing damage to the car body.
The K5 GT used in the event was housing a powerful 2.5-liter turbocharged engine.
Another key to this stunt was that the three K5s had to jump and spin at the right place, and at the right timing. Otherwise, they would fail to create a cool scene, and most importantly, it would affect their safety. It was indeed unusual and not even easy for three mid-size sedans to showcase a stunt, live.
Hollywood's greatest director meets the stunt drivers
The live show began with interviewing the stunt drivers.
The live show of the Triple Threat Stunt began with showing the three K5s and three stunt drivers. Hosted by professional driver Collette Davis and actor Jeremy Ray Valdez, the three stunt drivers took turns for the interview.
'Synchronizing with the other two drivers is the most important thing,' said stunt driver Sean Graham said in the interview before the event.
The stunt drivers are no less glamorous than the K5s. The first driver to be introduced was Sean Graham, who has shown various car stunts in Hollywood films such as 'Deja Vu' or 'Adrenaline 24'. For this stunt, Graham said, "Two K5s will fly over me at the exact same speed and time, and I'm going to spin below them. It can be dangerous if the speed is not enough or the other two don't jump high enough, so we have to synchronize thoroughly."
Another stunt driver, Jalil Jay Lynch, said the K5 is suitable to do the stunt show.
The two others to do the trick with Sean Graham are the famous father/daughter stunt drivers in Hollywood, Jalil Jay Lynch and Brionna Lynch. Jalil Jay performed stunts in many films such as 'Black Panther' or 'The Fate of the Furious'. When asked what he feels about the K5, he said, "I've never driven K5 before I did the stunt, to be honest, but the K5 offers fantastic suspension, and its braking performance exceeds expectation. The most impressive part is that the vehicle houses quick-responding turbocharger. In sum, the K5 is suitable for stunts," he said.
Jalil Jay Lynch's daughter, Briona Lynch, said performing a live stunt show is never an easy task.
Brionna Lynch is a rising star stunt driver who's performed in films such as ‘Black Panther’ or ‘Venom’. "This stunt is not a one-man show, but three. All three cars have to keep the timing right and precise. What makes it harder is that it's a live show," she answered when asked what she finds the most difficult in this stunt.
The stunt coordinator, Jeremy Fry, suggested that this stunt would be interesting, as it was difficult.
The director who's leading all the K5s and the drivers is Darrin Prescott. He has continued his career as a stunt coordinator in various Hollywood films with a lot of aggressive car chase scenes, including ‘Baby Driver’ and the ‘John Wick’ series. Plus, the on-site stunt coordinator is Jeremy "J-Fry" Fry, who is a famous stunt coordinator of ‘Ford V Ferrari’, a world-famous car racing film, and the upcoming movie ‘Tenet’. "It will be interesting to watch all three K5s gather at one point, performing each stunt," said Jeremy Fry, explaining the concept of the Triple Threat Stunt.
Triple Threat Stunt: The perfection
Right before the performance, each of the three K5s warmed up for the show, heating up the tires.
After all the interview was a warm-up. It was to preheat the tires and make sure there is no problem with the vehicles. Then the stunt drivers were all set. Jeremy Fry asked the drivers and staff on the site if they are all ready, and finally gave the starting signal.
With the start signal, the three K5s all roared and started performing.
The two sapphire-blue colored K5s driven by Jalil Jay and Brionna Lynch rushed to the ramp. And at the same time, Graham's wolf-gray K5 approached between the ramps and made 180-degree sliding turn, as the two K5s driven by the Lynches fly towards one another and each hit a post-jump ramp. Everything was done to perfection. The two blue K5s landed safely on each ramp, while the gray K5 made its turn then stopped, facing front.
After the successful stunt show, the drivers and the hosts could not hide their excitement.
After making sure everyone is safe, the drivers parked their K5s in front of the stage and celebrated their success. They could not hide their excitement; "Amazing," "Unbelievable," "My heart is still pounding," "I'm glad to be here with you," they said.
The viewers who watched the live performance on YouTube left comments, congratulating their success; "It's really cool. Good job indeed," "I could hardly believe my eyes," "It was magical," "That was great," "You guys did a wonderful job," and it went on.
From this performance, the K5 challenge will go on.
As Collette Davis wrapped up the show, he said something wasn't just a goodbye. "We're not done yet," he said. "On our next show, we will perform a 360-degree flat spin stunt!" This made it clear that the K5 challenge is not over yet, and will continue. People are looking forward to the next K5's history-making day in the United States.
