2016 Kia Optima revealed
Fresh-faced Optima mid-sized sedan hints at a sporty new design direction for KiaThe wraps have come off the first official image of the fourth-generation Kia Optima mid-size sedan, making its global premiere at the 2015 New York motor show in April ahead its Australian arrival in November.
Showing off an all-new design, the Optima presents a tightly-integrated tiger-nose grille that merges into the stylised headlight design.
The headlight and grille work is also reminiscent of the Kia Sportspace concept revealed at the 2015 Geneva motor show, which is expected to morph into a production version of the Kia Optima wagon.
The Optima's motif appears to be a little more curvaceous than the previous model, although the lower air intake flanked by chrome accents adds a touch of angular assertiveness.
Other than this single image, little information was revealed by Kia.
It issued a short press release stating the car would be offered "with multiple engine choices" and will have "a more spacious interior, class-up premium features and a number of technologies not previously offered on Kia's best-selling mid-size sedan."
Many of these tech features expected to be offered were recently launched on the new Kia Carnival, with radar cruise control, blind spot monitoring, forward collision and lane departure alert systems.
The new front-drive model will be offered in Australia with more engine choices than the current range, which comes with just the one power unit – an ageing 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine generating 148kW/250Nm.
Kia Australia recently told motoring.com.au that it plans to launch a locally-tuned performance version of the new 2016 Kia Optima and that this time around, Australians will get the new turbo 2.0-litre engine which will belt out more than 200kW/370Nm.
Kia Australia is also considering adding a hybrid version to the Optima stable.
Stay tuned for more details and images of the Optima next week direct from the New York motor show.
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