2016 Kia Optima – EU-spec fourth-gen sedan unveiled

New Kia Optima - exterior 2

The 2016 Kia Optima has been unveiled in its European-market guise, ahead of its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. The all-new model will go on sale in Europe in the last quarter of 2015, and it’s said to play an important role in Kia’s line-up across the continent.

Michael Cole, Chief Operating Officer of Kia Motors Europe, commented: “When the current Kia Optima arrived on the global stage in 2010, it acted as the catalyst for the five-year, design-led transformation of Kia’s product range. It added greater depth to our model line-up and fundamentally changed the way that people saw the Kia brand.”

There’s no denying that it’s a looker, that’s for sure. Whether it’s an improvement over the outgoing model, however, is for you to decide.

New Kia Optima - exterior 1

Size wise, the new model is 10 mm longer (4,855 mm), 25 mm wider (1,860 mm) and 10 mm taller (1,465 mm), matched to a wheelbase that is now 10 mm longer too (2,805 mm). The changes are claimed to provide a roomier cabin (25 mm more legroom in the back), a bigger boot (510 litres), as well as a more swept-back design.

A new bodystyle, inspired by the Kia Sportspace concept from the Geneva Motorshow has been confirmed to reach production in the near future too.

Inside, Kia claims that the latest Optima features technology typically associated with the class above, and that the cabin has crafted with an “obsessive attention to detail,” representing the biggest step forward for the new model. The material quality is said to be a significant improvement over the old model, with a higher proportion of soft-touch plastics used.

New Kia Optima - interior 1

Safety has been advanced too, through the more extensive use of ultra-high tensile steel (UHTS). It’s said that 50% of the body is now made of said material – a 150% increase over its predecessor. As a result, torsional rigidity is up by 50%, while the body shell is lighter by 8.6 kg. Equipment wise, airbag count is up to seven, with the addition of a driver’s knee airbag.

Optional extras (depending on markets) include Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Advanced Smart Cruise Control (SCC), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), High Beam Assist (HBA), Speed Limit Information Function (SLIF), Blind Spot Detection (BSD) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA).

Also optional is an electronically controlled suspension system with internal valves (ECS). This uses a G-force sensor to adapt the suspension for either a firmer, sportier ride or better comfort. Even in standard form, the Optima is said to have enhanced ride and handling characteristics over the old model. Kia even claims that it will be among the most agile vehicles in its class.

For European markets, the biggest seller is expected to be the upgraded 1.7 litre CRDi turbodiesel engine, which now has better output numbers (141 PS/340 Nm, up from 136 PS/325 Nm), low end response, efficiency and NVH. A 2.0 litre petrol option with 163 PS/196 Nm is also offered. The diesel can be matched to a seven-speed dual-clutch ‘box, while the petrol sticks to a six-speed automatic.

Interestingly, the official documents also mention a high-efficiency plug-in hybrid electric Optima and Kia Motors Europe’s “first high performance sedan” that will be launched in 2016.

As for the Malaysian market, it’s more a matter of when rather if the fourth-generation Optima will arrive here. The current Optima K5 facelift model was launched in January 2014, and is priced at RM148,000.


US-market 2016 Kia Optima

Malaysian-market 2014 Kia Optima K5 facelift

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Hafriz Shah

Preferring to drive cars rather than desks, Hafriz Shah ditched his suit and tie to join the ranks of Malaysia’s motoring hacks. A car’s technical brilliance is completely lost on him, appreciating character-making quirks more. When not writing this ego trip of a bio, he’s usually off driving about aimlessly, preferably in a car with the right combination of three foot pedals and six gears.

 

Comments

  • Same L0rrr on Aug 26, 2015 at 3:25 pm

    In 2017, the dai lan ngong kimchi buyers will come to beg me to trade in this trash just to trade in an Altis.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 33 Thumb down 36
  • You mean 4th gen bumper design right? These ‘gens’ are a gimmick, all the technical stuff stays the same while they just add more chrome bits every 2 years, look at toyota.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 6
  • Sam Loo (ori1) on Aug 26, 2015 at 9:56 pm

    Bring it in, sooner the better.

    K5 can now be accepted for trade in

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 3
    • cherasflatowner on Aug 27, 2015 at 5:42 am

      Talk to you best friend dxxxx. Noone wants to read your retard comments

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • kennyjay on Aug 26, 2015 at 11:16 pm

    why need to mess up the taillights?

    current taillights look better.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • KIA>JUNK on Aug 27, 2015 at 8:54 am

    The monthly sales figures of KIA speaks the truth, People don’t buy JUNK car.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 4
  • simon on Aug 27, 2015 at 10:09 am

    very “BMW” interiror

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • R.I.P Accord.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
  • I totally agree on the taillights .. the current ones are so beautifully done. The same cannot be said for the 2016 model.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
 

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