Just like how the Hyundai Sonata morphed from dull NF to four-door coupe style YF, this stylish new Kia Optima bears zero resemblance to its anonymously styled three-box predecessor. Completing the Peter Schreyer design-led range transformation after the Forte, Sorento and Sportage, the new Optima (Magentis in some markets) had input from Kia’s European and US studios and reinforces a “signature look” for the brand, just like how you know a BMW when you see one.
The new Optima is longer and wider, but lower than the vehicle it replaces, and the 2795 mm wheelbase (identical to the Sonata’s) is only 5 mm short of the Honda Accord’s 2800 mm. The Mondeo still remains the class leader with a 2,850mm wheelbase. The Optima is powered by the Theta II engine family; US buyers can choose between a 2.4-litre GDI, a 2.0-litre GDI turbo or a 2.4-litre hybrid.
The hybrid, which should share much of its tech with the just launched Sonata Hybrid, will be available next year. The GDI twin-scroll turbocharged engine sounds delicious though; 274 bhp and 365 Nm of torque from 1,800 rpm to 4,500 rpm. Kia doesn’t quote performance or consumption figures, but the same engine in the just launched Sonata 2.0T does 7.8 km/l in the city and 12 km/l on the highway. Transmission is a six-speed auto with Sportmatic manual mode.
The interior looks pretty much identical to the sketch we previously showed you. The instruments are sandwiched by air con vents on each side and it’s linked to a centre stack angled towards the driver, creating a cockpit that wraps around the pilot. Also contributing to this cozy, sporty feel is a high centre tunnel and short shifter. Look closely and you can see a leather strip outlining the “driver’s area” of the dashboard. Those who love having a lot of buttons will like the Optima’s steering wheel, which has controls on every spoke, besides shift paddles for the auto ‘box. Very nice.
The engine mix for Europe will be different for the new Optima. Lovers of oil burners will be able to buy an Optima with a 1.7 litre VGT turbodiesel engine, and there will also be a 2.0 CVVL engine, which is something I’ve never heard from Kia before. Looks like their 2.0 litre has been upgraded even further to have variable valve lift, as I’m guessing the L in CVVL means Lift.
Have a closer look at the gallery after the jump.
[zenphotopress number=999 album=1018]
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The best looking Kia yet. Waiting for the Malaysian launch.
wow!!!…way to go for Korean cars makers…hope it’s came with competitive price…bye-bye to honda n toyota…
wow…..damn nice…….
Wow!very good looking car.
it resembles the jaguar xf..especially the rear.but kudos to kia for a great overall design.
The GDI twin-scroll turbocharged engine is being shared together with Hyundai Sonata.
Since it is a 2.0L turbocharged engine, hopefully Naza can CKD it and the price will go down and the interior remains especially the LCD screen. Is that a touch screen?
Please, please bring in this machine..
I’m gonna save my money for koreans.
wow! surely in my next shopping list
damn nice
wah..looking at Forte.suka…then looking at new sonata …suka…then this Optima come out pulak…suka…haiyaah..so susah to chooselah
gorgeous exterior but very dissapoint interior.the dashboard looks too complex and the side register near meter driver cause me headache
This looks hot! Peter Schreyer outdid himself yet again.. Bravo
I am really surprised these guys managed to pull of an engine that performs even better than the 2.0 turbo from VW/Audi.
This car will look 100% better in fresh, just like Forte Sedan!!
I can’t believe at myself – I’m liking these new design language for Kia. But somehow I am not so much into the new Hyundai designs
But perhaps they could lose the rim. Too Ah Beng.
the design is oohh..speechless…. if mr peter works for proton u think the same magic gonna work for proton? i kinda doubt it…a very strong team still needed for his superb leadership n magic to work in any automaker. Great design inside out !!
Walawei…so cun n elegant…
I have full belief that our new Perdana will look better, sharper, smarter and more confident than this junk. Schreyer can go kick some shit!
dunno what you have been smoking man! You are obviously high on something (probably due to blowing to many exhaust pipes).
Car can look confident and smarter?
Yes, if it actually gets launched!
new perdana? ada kah?
Confident in Proton’s product is your own view. Don’t try to neglect the world’s perception by giving your own opinion in a rude way. It just show your immaturity and childish.
you’re just kidding
This bitch is just trolling, move along people..
tapi dengar citer Proton replacement ambik model Mitsubishi. Dan tengok model tu pun, baik Perdana skrg lagi cantik. So bagaimana Proton Perdana nak look smart compare to Kia Optima. Sokong sokong jugak, tapi kenalah realistik bila komen. Apapun harap Proton akan dtg dengan produk yang fresh dengan harga yang tidak overpriced berbanding jenama Kia, Hyundai, Toyota dan Honda.
I tot GDI is no longer in market. GDI = Gasoline Direct Injection? Long time din hear anything bout it oledi.
Volkswagen/Audi’s FSI is also gasoline direct injection. So is BMW’s HPI. They just have different brandnames for the same thing.
GDI is also the same technology use by Mitsubishi some time. Since their using GEMA engine, i believe Mitsubishi have shared the technology with them.
http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/corporate/about_us/technology/environment/e/gdi.html
the back reminds me of the new ford mondeo lol…
still a very good looking design and attracftive specs (pls dun drop the lcd touch screen)
lets hope the dealers priced it wisely and we will see these beautiful machines roaming our streets
I’d LOVE to own the 278PS version.
Again, this makes Toyota looks dull.
Look at the current and soon release Optima…it totally face-off the entire car…
Double-thumbs up… Kia Optima seem challenging Mazda6 for the sporting looks..
Forget the Camry and Accord… both are just not on par….Both are uncle’s car..
This should be many ppl wishlist….
When is coming to Bolehland….?
Budak budak Proton…. ini lar “Wow” reaction yang kita Malaysian nak……
Sampai bila kita boleh “WOW” with proud on Proton Product?
itulah yang kita musykil. Produk Proton yang ada elemen wow bagi saya hanyalah EMAS. Exora, Neo design ok tapi belum cukup wow sebab byk design pesaing lebih hebat.
jauh beza dgn kia optima yang ada atas jalan sekarang ni huhuhuh
holly moses…Fantastic car. Looks like Toyota and honda can kiss good bye for being the best seller.
Koreans are awesome!
The front side following the pattern like JDM Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.
The back lamps really goes slanding. Maybe current trend design for sedans.
Wow, very nice design, so great !
I thought the fog lamps has LED driving lamps as “eyebrows” as we saw on the official images released by KIA. What happened to them? It looks pretty neat.
Its light years ahead from the car it replaces , exterior a bit XF-ish, Interior got a SAAB thing goin on….but its all good
Superd job from KIA.
exterior looks great but interior particularly dashboard looks very korean…
So far the comment s r all positive. Kia is tranformed.
If this K5 is selling at not more than RM150,000 (2.0 GDI Version), it will blow everything away. T & H r starting to be very worried. hahahhah…….
oh ya. they are worried. That’s why T are offering discount now.
I think it has to be RM130k or below full-spec to sell well. Just look at the dismal sales of the current Optima selling at RM110k with decent kit.
lepas ni T, H, M boleh tutup kedai lah. Apatah lagi ngan Proton Perdana. hehe. Dengan syarat kekal harga lama atau nak naik pun tak lebih 10% harga lama. Konpem boom kereta ni, laris macam goreng pisang. kami pun nak kumpul duit sikit2 belikan untuk org tua. memang syiok. tapi rekaan dashboard nyer pelik sikit aaa. mungkin nak cari kelainan kot
look like evo ma…
Is this Kia K7????
Anyone knows when this will to our shores?
wow!! Proton should hire this Peter Schreyer!!!..
they don’t even need Volkswagen if they get this man..cayalah..
Proton actually tak hire org ni pun ok. Banyak jer designer kita yang ok, hebat tapi sengaja tak ditonjolkan bakat mereka. Mungkin yang senior enggan terima pandangan yang muda kot. Entahlah. Aku bukan org Proton. Tapi yang pasti nak berjaya hapuskan aja vendor perasuah, kroni, pelingkup, yang tak berkualiti lagi tak berguna tu. Konpem Proton boleh jual murah macam T, H, M, K, Hyundai dll.
Looks better than new sonata
i’ll take this over the new YF sonata!
GDI type engine won’t come here lar…
You know our petrol quality, so the 2L & non GDI 2.4L is the best hope.
But the very presence of the new optima/magentis & new sonata is going to make honda & toyota very afraid.
beautiful. tough. butch and very european. yes there’s a little saab in there but it makes for a better look. great job on this. wonder when will the turbo get here.
nice car…but u still see hints from other cars like the rear is like a photoshopped jag xf…
Wat a gorgeous car it is!!!!
The korean is definitely producing good product & good brand~ !
Go SAMSUNG!
Go LG!
Go RAIN
Go KIMCHI!!
Seriously, this is the real deal.stylish car with optimum performance.KIA evolve drasticly under Peter Schreyer.
Wonderful again for KIA @ design
I now driving Forte 1.6SX and very proud for this car based on 3 months experienced.
I sure to aim Optima for my next 2.0 car!
Hope to see it in year 2011…
Worth waiting and price will be cheaper than all Japs cos this is considered Msia carmaker (no.3)..but Paul, will they bring in the 2.0 Turbo GDi since our local petrol is still high in sulphur?
Japs like TCH are still overpriced and they will have to compete when Kia and Hyundai start dominating the local market.
nice……….i hope it will not disappoint us malaysian like the previous kia’s…
Wow, good thing I’ve yet to place order for Facelift Mazda 6. Move aside Japs, the Koreans have arrived at the big league.
one word..wow…the design is a killer here..it is totally mouth watering
awesome design and spec!!
my salute to this car…this is the ultimate driving machine from kiaaaa………….i really love it…
Kudos to Hyundai-KIA !!!
I’m starting to fall in love with korean’s car
holy crap man!! this car is so pretty that i just accidentally jerk of to it
wow…sharp looking car! nicer than sonata yf
awesome looking exterior but the interior is beyond average.
I like it so much.Going to work hard to buy this car.the design is amazingly attractive and a huge thank to former Audi chief deisgner who is now the chief designer at KIa.(sorry,I forgot his name). but i will always remember this car designed by him.Love it.
Is it just me, or does the interior look like an old Saab/Volvo?
HAWT Stuff!
Oh my god!! she having very nice design then my civic fd2, keep my feeling, don’t want frustrated for my previous choice…hu!u!hu!
Chris I had some Saab feelings too! Maybe it’s due to the A/C vents. It’s all-Kia/Schreyer though. I’m happy that they’ve found their own groove and its a GOOD groove.
Exterior-wise, that has got to be the best looking car in its segmet. Simply gorgeous! But the exterior, I’m not too keen because it looks a bit “busy” and too asymmetrical. I prefer a more clean design, but that is just my personal preference.
By the way, why the thumbnails of the photos appear so small and in one long column in the right hand side? They are too small too see. I prefer the old style where you show the thumbnails in their “normal”…much easier to see and much more practical.
Hyundai Kia is terrible…with this mouth watering cars…and priced so damn high how can I afford to trade my old Matrix to this gorgeous beauty. huhuhu.
that’s how you build a car… awesome stuff from kia!
they should change those rims seriously… i thought i’m looking at a Hybrid rims cap…
any idea how many kilos each rim weight?
i bet ones weight a lot compare to a normal five-spoke…
274bhp,365Nm torque… a real sport family car..bravo Kia, F1 steering sytle very nice
Look carefully at the steering wheel from the front and sides. Is that a PADDLESHIFT system I see!!?
Yup, looks like it. Can’t wait for the car to enter our shores. My hand is itching to test drive this baby.
just change the rims, others 4 thumbs up
Any idea when would the Malaysian launch be and the estimated pricing?
this is definitely very refreshing! cant wait for it to give our Accords and Camrys a run for their money. funny how Nissan is left out of the picture here?!
,..em look strong like bmw 3series..can beat japanese car nowday honda tyota..hope it come wif pwer&good fc engine..like i-vtec,vvti..
look strong like bmw 3series,..nice job kia engineers world class
Very impressive!! i like it!
menarik.
So Proton, don’t want to take up challenge ?
A very marvelous idea from KOREA……