Frankfurt 2015: Kia Optima GT to debut in 2016, 245 PS

Kia-Optima-GT-01

The Europe-spec 2016 Kia Optima is slated to come in a more sporty outfit along with new physical enhancements. Dubbed the Kia Optima GT and unveiled in Frankfurt, the “high-powered” sedan will join the Korean brand’s other GT models such as the cee’d GT and the pro_cee’d GT.

Outside, the Optima GT receives cosmetic extras including a refashioned “tiger nose” grille, a sportier bumper with triangle-shaped side intakes and a chrome strip. In the back, the sedan gets a rear diffuser attached to it along with two oval exhaust tips and a different set of 18-inch alloys.

Under the bonnet, the GT is given a more spirited 2.0 litre four-cylinder turbocharged T-GDI petrol engine, paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. As used in the US, the T-GDI makes 245 PS at 6,000 rpm and 353 Nm of torque from 1,350 to 4,000 rpm. From 0-100 km/h, the Optima GT takes 7.4 seconds while top speed is 240 km/h.

Kia-Optima-GT-02

To match its more powerful setup, the Optima GT receives unique suspension settings and an “electronically-controlled suspension” system that provides individualised damping force to each wheel.

The suspension, alongside bigger brake discs and a retuned rack-mounted motor-driven power steering (R-MPDS), will help the Optima GT “match the dynamic expectations of European drivers” without compromising the refinement and ride comfort of the standard car, Kia says.

The 2016 Kia Optima will be in European markets by the end of the year. This sportier GT variant – a collaborative effort between Kia’s global R&D centre in Korea and the company’s European R&D centre in Rüsselsheim, Germany – will only be arriving in 2016. Kia says that a new body style for the Optima based on the Kia Sportspace is also in the pipeline.

2016 Kia Optima GT


2016 Kia Optima, EU spec

2016 Kia Optima, US spec

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Graham Chin

Having spent a number of years as a journalist for a local paper, a marketing executive for a popular German automotive brand and a copywriter, Graham, a true-blue Sarawakian, knew he had to take the leap back into the motoring scene - and so he did. To him, nothing’s better than cruising for hours along a scenic route, in a car that’s designed and built for that purpose.

 

Comments

  • Kancil Hybrid on Sep 17, 2015 at 12:34 pm

    Perdana, Accord, Camry, E200, 523i semua tak boleh cari makan.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 2
  • The triangular side intakes on the bumper reminds me of the Camry. XD

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 3
  • Sewel on Sep 17, 2015 at 12:42 pm

    Now thats a better kimchi car..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 1
  • Bob_B78 on Sep 17, 2015 at 12:43 pm

    Having the same power as a BMW 328i yet 0-100km/h is almost 2 second slower than BMW. Whats the point of fitting a powerful turbocharged in the first place if not for its performance? Heck, even the camry hybrid is faster than this for 0-100km/h

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 20
    • brianxyz on Sep 17, 2015 at 1:14 pm

      Camry Hybrid can accelerate faster than this K5 Turbo? Sure or not? Or just pluck from the sky?
      Come on, how much you pay for the BMW 328i and how much for this K5 Turbo? Not a fair comparison isn’t it?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 20 Thumb down 0
      • Bob_B78 on Sep 18, 2015 at 10:13 am

        Just a comparison of power over performance, not on the pricing. Just google for Camry 0-100 and look under www.0-60sec.com and u will be surprised how good Camry hybrid acceleration is

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • sudonano (Member) on Sep 17, 2015 at 12:48 pm

    Just looking at the numbers, it is pretty impressive. Very close to the Mondeo 2.0T.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
    • seancorr (Member) on Sep 17, 2015 at 12:53 pm

      Question is will they offer this engine here in Bolehland?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
      • brianxyz on Sep 17, 2015 at 1:16 pm

        Answer is NO. The price for sure will go nearly RM200K. If based on performance alone, there are many better performance cars in the market in this price bracket.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
      • sudonano (Member) on Sep 17, 2015 at 3:44 pm

        I think that one, have to sing a song and roll dice while trying to figure it out.

        Kia can bring the 2.0T in, and price it about the price of a Camry Hybrid, possible, cause that would make it one of the cheapest sedans with more than 200hp.

        But on the flipside, not sure if it can be running on our fuel considering how long they took to adapt the 1.6T for us.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
    • holofanboi on Sep 17, 2015 at 1:41 pm

      ‘Kia says that a new body style for the Optima based on the Kia Sportspace is also in the pipeline’

      YES!!!

      The Mondeo feels a little more sophisticated to be honest. This one maintains the ‘For adults but-not-yet-one’ atmosphere which is fine by me :3

      Extremely unlikely that we will get that spec here though… but if it DOES…

      Kia had better bring it here before the mazda 6 wagon takes my money D:

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
 

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