All-new Optima boasts optimised transformation

Conceived under the watchful eye of KIA’s president and chief design officer, Peter Schreyer, with modern and instantly recognisable design cues, the Optima maintains its athletic identity but rides on a chassis that is longer, wider and stiffer for improved ride and handling and a more spacious cabin. Available with three engine choices, including a new 1,6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder that’s mated to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT), the Optima is more confident than ever on the road.

Said Michael Sprague, executive vice- president, sales and marketing: “The all-new Optima retains the signature personality of its predecessor, but we’ve literally improved everything, providing more space, better ride and handling, more technology and greater refinement.”
Optima’s interior is larger and more comfortable with an innovative and functional cabin that is well-appointed with class-up touches. The driver-oriented cabin has been simplified with a cleaner, more unified design.

KIA’s cutting-edge connectivity system, UVO, comes standard with four additional eServices not previously available on Optima: geo-fencing, speed alert, curfew alert and driving score. Additionally, Optima is KIA’s pilot vehicle for the introduction of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay (late availability), which allow drivers to access a suite of core functions from their smartphones.

The all-new Optima offers a long list of available technologies across the various trim levels. Available driver-aid technology, including advanced smart cruise control (SCC), blind spot detection (BSD), rear cross traffic alert (RCTA) and Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) – bi-function HID headlights with dynamic bending lamps (DBL) and intuitive high beam sssist (HBA).

The all-new Optima is available with three engine choices. Two power plants carry over from the previous generation, the 2,4-litre GDI four-cylinder and the 2,0-litre GDI turbo engine. While the engines have yet to receive EPA certification, the 2,4-litre is estimated to produce 136kW@6000r/min and 241Nm. The 2,0-litre turbo is expected to generate approximately 182kW and 353Nm. Both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with Sportmatic shifting while the SX and SXL trims add paddle shifters.

All new for the 2016 model is a 1,6-litre four-cylinder turbo engine delivering 131kW and 264Nm and mated to a new seven-speed DCT, a first for the KIA brand. All three engines channel energy through the front wheels.