The all-new Kia Optima is all set for its European unveil at the Frankfurt International Motor Show on September 15, 2015 with sales commencing later this year.
According to Kia, the fourth-generation Optima packs a range of modern features, new exterior, a bold interior design with more space for all occupants, an array of new technologies and a wide choice of efficient powertrains.
Kia said that Optima’s evolutionary new look was designed to be functional and sporty, with exterior dimensions that are marginally longer, taller and wider.
The wheelbase has been extended by 10 mm to 2,805 mm, with the full vehicle length growing 10 mm to 4,855 mm. Meanwhile the new model is 25 mm wider, at 1,860 mm, and 10 mm taller (1,465 mm).
The all-new Optima integrates the brand’s hallmark ‘tiger-nose’ grille with the longer, wider, wrap-around headlamps, pulled taut over the blistered wheel arches. The bumper swells into bold right angles around the front fog lamps, adding greater volume to the lower part of the ‘face’ and giving the car a more stable, wider look.
The LED halo-style tail lamps wrap around the corners of the rear of the all-new Optima, and give the car a modern, new light signature. The athletic appearance of the car is boosted by a rising, spoiler-shaped boot lid and an expansive rear bumper which houses a sporty-looking air diffuser and oval exhaust.
The all-new Optima will be available in Europe in a choice of nine paint colours, and will ride on alloy wheels ranging from 16- to 18-inches in diameter.
With the 10 mm growth in the wheelbase of the all-new Optima, and reshaped seats, rear passengers now enjoy 25 mm more legroom than before. The wider body yields more shoulder room for all passengers (20 mm and 17 mm extra in front and rear), while the longer, higher roof results in greater headroom throughout the cabin (+5 mm and +15 mm front and rear)
The all-new Optima features a uniquely engineered body which combines more high-strength materials than ever before, resulting in even higher standards of crash safety. While passive safety is improved, the new model is also equipped with a series of high-tech active and autonomous safety features, and Kia’s engineers have targeted a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating throughout the Optima’s development programme.
The all-new Optima will be available with a range of engines when it goes on sale across Europe later this year. The fourth-generation model offers the choice of either a diesel or gasoline engine, each engineered to meet the varying needs of all types of customers.
Now producing 141 ps (up from 136 ps) and 340 Nm torque (increased from 325 Nm), the upgraded 1.7-litre diesel engine offers an improvement to engine response, low end torque, efficiency and NVH. The upgraded engine boasts far lower CO2 emissions, reduced by 14% to 110 g/km (when fitted with manual transmission and Kia’s Idle Stop/Go fuel-saving technology).
The all-new Optima is also available with the same 2.0-litre CVVL engine as the outgoing model, featuring continuously variable valve lift technology for smooth delivery of its 163 ps power output and accelerative response.
The 1.7-litre CRDi is also available with a six-speed manual transmission, while the 2.0-litre CVVL engine can be specified with either six-speed manual or automatic transmissions.
The all-new Kia Optima will go on sale across Europe in Q4 2015, offering the company’s unique 7-Year, 150,000 km warranty as standard. The all-new Optima for Europe will be built at Kia’s plant in Hwasung, Korea.
