Next Gen Kia Optima debuts in New York Show

The next generation Kia Optima, known as Magentis in certain markets, has debuted at the New York International Auto Show on 1 April 2010. Continuing his good work with the Forte and the Sorento, Peter Schreyer now applies his touch to Kia’s D-segment mechanical twin of the Hyundai Sonata.

Kia Optima

Official images released by Kia shows the new Optima to be unmistakably a bigger brother than the Forte, which is no bad thing – the Forte is a good-looking car. All around, we see sprinklings of design touches that are distinctly European in character – the rear is reminiscent of the Jaguar XF – complete with the coupe-like raking roofline.

Design is very European. Good.

Standard design features include twin tailpipes, solar glass, and side-mirror-mounted blinkers. Stuff on the options list then includes fog lamps, heated side mirrors, chrome lining, auto-leveling HID headlights, LED taillights, rear spoiler, M5-like fender gills, aero wiper blade, and, would you believe it, red brake callipers. Tyre sizes vary from 205/65 R16 to 225/45 R18.

The interior reminds us of another European manufacturer too, and this time it’s none other than Audi – birthplace of Schreyer’s illustrious career. In fact, a good Photoshop user could stamp the four rings in place of the Kia badge and many would be none the wiser. Good to know that Kia’s learning from the best.

Looks like an Audi, now to see if it’s built like an Audi.

It’s not about looks only too. The plush-looking cabin is complemented by a solid list of equipment, which starts with a panoramic sunroof (not particularly useful, but good for bragging rights), USB/MP3/Bluetooth compatibility, tilt & telescopic steering adjustment, air-conditioned glove box, engine start/stop button, and even paddle shifts to go with the new Hyundai-Kia 6-speed automatic transmission.

The other transmission option is a 6-speed manual gearbox, and depending on market, the two gearboxes can find themselves paired with anyone of the few Theta-II powerplants. North American markets will get the 2.4-litre GDI (200hp), 2.0-litre GDI turbo (274hp), and 2.4-litre Hybrid – all found in the Sonata. The Hybrid variant is due for a 2011 introduction.

European markets will get the option of a 1.7-litre variable geometry turbo diesel and a 2.0-litre CVVL engine, neither of which firm details have been provided. The rest of the world, and this includes us in Malaysia, will receive a more modest variant of the Theta-II engine – 2.0-litre MPI (163hp) and 2.4-litre MPI (176hp). Australia will receive the 2.4-litre GDI engine in a slightly reduced state of tune – 198hp.

In the aspect of safety, Kia has listed a generous amount of equipment for that purpose – six airbags, active head rests, side-impact beams, front seatbelt pre-tensioners with force limiters, anti-lock brakes, stability control, traction control, brake assist and hill assist control. Depending on market, certain features may or may not be offered.

KON

Pictures: Official Kia release

See also:
– Next-gen Hyundai Sonata & Tucson previewed to Malaysian media – by KON (9/3/2010)
– Kia to preview next gen Optima at New York – by KON (15/3/2010)
– Autoworld Blog >> Blog Archive >> Hyundai debuts two new Sonata variants at New York - by KON (1/4/2010)

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