Overview

• D-segment sedan offers new levels of style, performance and features
• Fresh design embodies bold, athletic and sporty visual dynamics
• Leading levels of premium amenities and safety technologies
• Two all-new gasoline and diesel powertrains for Europe
• On sale in Europe from Spring 2011, named Optima in all markets  

New York/Frankfurt, 1 April, 2010:  Kia Motors Corporation is celebrating the world premiere of its all-new Optima D-segment sedan at the New York International Auto Show today.

Arriving in Kia showrooms in Europe next Spring, the next generation Optima continues Kia’s design-led transformation, while revealing a completely new and stunning design language for Kia, highlighted by a dynamic and streamlined profile that conveys elegance and athletic confidence from every angle.  Kia’s new sedan will be called ‘Optima‘ in all markets outside Korea. 

Designed at Kia’s studios in Frankfurt, Germany and Irvine, California, the all-new Optima is longer, wider and lower than the vehicle it replaces and is based on an all-new midsize platform that allows for distinctive dimensions and proportions, while also providing a unique canvas for Kia’s global design team to pen a vehicle that stands apart from everything else in its segment.

“The all-new Optima is a new strand in Kia’s evolving design DNA with a blend of simple and fluid lines and elegant but uncomplicated shapes, that draw the attention of the eye in much the same fashion as a perfectly-tailored fine Italian suit,” commented Peter Schreyer, Chief Design Officer, Kia Motors Corporation.

“From the distinctive sweeping chrome accent that stretches through the C pillars to the sleek greenhouse and flared wheel arches, every inch of the Optima projects a distinguished and refined style and extreme attention to detail,” adds Schreyer.

The all-new Optima’s smooth-flowing lines speak of grace and style and offer a strong hint of European-style luxury. Optima’s groundbreaking spirit will continue under the bonnet with the introduction of new powertrains, which deliver class-leading power with highly competitive fuel economy – and employ engine management systems such as direct injection, multi-point injection and turbo charging to help bring performance to the brand without sacrificing fuel efficiency. Kia’s first-ever hybrid car, a new version of Optima, for the North American market, will be available in 2011.

Sleek and Streamlined Exterior
The all-new Optima projects a high-performance yet elegant image with its unique silhouette and sleek stance that builds upon Kia Motors’ philosophy of creating high quality and dynamic vehicles that evoke passion. The striking face of Optima fea-tures Kia’s bold signature grille that is flanked by projector headlamps.

Optima’s coupe-like profile is enhanced by a sweeping chrome arc that flows from the A- to the C-pillars, a distinctive design motif that visually lowers the car further and enhances its proportions. Optima’s roofline connects with its high and pronounced shoulder line that leads to its sculpted flanks and the extended (2795 mm) wheelbase. Boldly flared wheel arches and a steeply sloping rear window create a sedan with a graceful muscular stance.

The all-new Optima will offer numerous standard exterior features including dual exhausts with chrome tips, solar glass and outside mirror turn signal indicators.  
Depending on the trim level, fog lights, heated outside mirrors, exterior chrome or body-colour door handles along with 17-inch alloy wheels and 215/55 R17 tyres – will also be available.  

Higher trim levels add HID headlights with auto leveling, LED rear combination lights, unique front grille design, rear lip spoiler, sculpted side sills, aero wiper blades, red brake calipers and 18-inch black machined finish alloy wheels furnished with 225/45 R18 tyres – achieving a true performance look.


Luxuriously Equipped Interior
Inside, all-new Optima creates an immediate sense that this is a driver’s car. The instrument panel is contoured toward the driver to suggest a cockpit feel, with precise gauges and controls for an overall sporty performance experience without sacrificing comfort or roominess. Paddle shifters behind the steering wheel (standard on automatic versions outside North America), convey that Optima is built for people who are passionate about driving their cars. A high console with a short shifter adds to the cockpit ambience, while an optional glass panoramic sunroof will provide an open-air feeling.  

Offering occupants both space and comfort with a number of standard convenience features, the sedan’s chic cabin unifies with the exterior design by welcoming its passengers with lean and ergonomic seat design. Modern standard features such as six-way adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support, illuminated vanity mirrors and a trip computer will further expand the cabin’s luxurious qualities.

In addition to offering a comfortable cabin, impressive technology features will also come standard throughout, including an AM/FM/CD/MP3/Sat ‘Dimension‘ audio system in Europe with eight speakers. Auxiliary and USB audio input jacks for connecting with MP3 players and available Bluetooth®  wireless technology connectivity (with steering wheel-mounted voice activation controls to enable hands-free operation for compatible mobile phones) – will feature as standard in North America and as standard or optional in other markets.

Interior comfort and convenience will be enhanced with available features that in-clude a tilt/telescopic steering column, power door locks, power windows, sun visor extension and an air-conditioned glove box. Stylishly appointed cloth seats provide comfortable seating while a 60/40 split-folding rear seat offers multiple seating and versatile cargo capacity, depending on driver and passenger needs. Automatic transmission-equipped Optima cars (in markets outside North America), will feature cruise control and Kia’s ‘Active Eco System‘ indicator to assist with fuel efficient driving.

Other available premium features will include push button-start ignition with smart key, dual-zone automatic air-conditioning with rear seat vents, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, auto light control, driver and front passenger automatic window up/down and eight-way powered driver’s seat, illuminated glove box, rear reading lamps and chrome door handles.  

Depending on the trim level, Optima will also offer unique black leather woven seat trim, black interior trim with carbon insert film and metal accents, a Supervision™ instrument cluster with LCD display, centre fascia and gauges, soft trim with French seams, alloy foot pedals and illuminated door scuff plates.

Available upgrades will include a powered panoramic sunroof, leather seat trim, memory driver’s seat, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel (in ‘cold‘ markets) for additional interior refinement.  

For Europe and North America, a voice-activated navigation system with a seven-inch screen, will combine with the audio system functions to enhance the cabin for audiophiles or those who seek the latest superior quality technology for a modern driving experience.  

All-New Advanced Platform
The all-new Optima is built on an all-new platform. Optima’s low, lean and powerful stance is enhanced by its overall length of 4845 mm – an increase of 45 mm over the previous model – overall width of 1830 mm and wheelbase of 2795 mm, an increase of 75 mm, and has a low ground clearance for enhanced aerodynamics and reduced drag, boosting fuel efficiency.

Optima’s lightweight bodyshell design uses high-tensile-strength steel to enhance structural strength, while also achieving high torsional stiffness, benefiting handling, ride quality and refinement. Additional measures to help ensure good noise vibration and harshness (NVH) reduction qualities are fitted throughout the Optima.

Optima employs unitary (monocoque) construction with sub-frames to support the fully independent front and rear suspension systems.  MacPherson struts are used in the front with a multi-link layout at the rear, with separate coil springs and shock ab-sorbers at the rear, and a front anti-roll bar to ensure responsive handling and pro-vide excellent ride comfort.


Class-Leading Efficient and Powerful Engines
For Western Europe, the new front-wheel drive Optima will be available in 2011 with a choice of 2-litre CVVL gasoline and 1.7-litre VGT turbo-diesel engines.  In Russia and some Eastern European markets, new Optima will also be offered with a 2.4-litre MPI gasoline engine producing 178 ps. All transmissions for the new Optima, both manual and automatic, will have six speeds – the automatics featuring Kia’s Sport-matic™ clutchless manual shifting or fully automatic operation.

Outside Europe, new Optima will be available from late 2010 with a range of six all-new and fuel-efficient Theta II family powerplants (depending on markets), with Kia’s first application of GDI technology and up to 278 ps of power.


Safety-Minded
In line with Kia’s safety engineering philosophy, the all-new Optima will have a high level of safety features as standard. Equipment includes six airbags (dual advanced front airbags, front-seat mounted side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags), front active headrests, side-impact door beams, height-adjustable front seatbelts with pre-tensioners and force limiters, three-point seatbelts for all seating positions, Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) and, available in both Europe and North America, a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). Four-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), a Traction Control System (TCS), a Brake Assist System (BAS) and Hill Assist Control (HAC) will be available as standard or options – depending on market.

Editors’ Notes

New Optima Images
A selection of high resolution versions of the all-new Optima images can be downloaded from www.kia-buzz.com.

Kia Motors Europe
Kia Motors Europe is the European sales, marketing, and service arm of Kia Motors Corporation. With its headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany, it covers 25 markets in Europe.

About Kia Motors Corporation
Kia Motors Corporation (www.kia.com) – a maker of quality vehicles for the young-at-heart – was founded in 1944 and is Korea’s oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles.  As part of the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group, Kia aims to become one of the world’s premier
automotive brands.  
    Over 1.5 million vehicles a year are produced at 13 manufacturing and assembly
operations in eight countries.  These vehicles are sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering 172 countries.
    Kia today has more than 42,000 employees and annual revenues of almost US$14.6 billion.  It is the major sponsor of the Australian Tennis Open and an official automotive
partner of FIFA – the governing body of the FIFA World Cup.
    Kia Motors Corporation’s brand slogan – ‘The Power to Surprise’ – represents the
company’s global commitment to surpassing customer expectations through continuous
automotive innovation.

Press Contact

Ilona Tzudnowski
PR Manager Europe
Tel.:  +49 69 850 928 357     
E-mail:  i.tzudnowski@kia-europe.com

Kia Motors Europe GmbH
Theodor-Heuss-Allee 11
60486 Frankfurt, Germany