Taking pride of place at Kia's New York Auto Show stand is the all-new 2011 Optima that will arrive U.S. showrooms in early fall.
Designed at Kia's studios in Frankfurt, Germany and Irvine, California under the guidance of Peter Schreyer, the all-new Optima is longer, wider, lower and most importantly, miles sexier than the vehicle it replaces.
Even though it looks nothing like the Sonata, the 2011 Optima actually shares the midsize platform and mechanical hardware with Hyundai's proposal in the segment.
Built on a unibody frame, the front-wheel-drive Optima utilizes independent front and rear suspension systems. MacPherson struts are used in the front with a multi-link layout in the rear and are both joined with coil springs and front anti-roll bars.
It measures 190.7 inches in length (an increase of 1.7 inches over the previous model) and has an overall width of 72 inches and wheelbase of 110 inches.
Like the Sonata, the new Optima is available with three direct-injection Theta II powerplants. First up is a 2.4-liter GDI four-cylinder unit with 200HP that can be mated to either a six-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed manual gearbox.
For the more enthusiastic crowd, there's a 2.0-liter twin-scroll turbo engine with 274HP that's linked to a six-speed automatic transmission.
In early 2011, Kia will enhance the Optima's range with a hybrid model that will use the same powertrain as the Sonata Hybrid comprising of a 2.4-liter Atkinson Cycle gasoline unit and a 30kW electric motor for a combined output of 209 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, and 195 lb-ft of torque.
The new Optima will be offered in three trims, LX, EX and SX. The LX includes dual exhaust with chrome tips, solar glass, outside mirror turn signal indicators and 16-inch steel wheels fitted with 205/65R16 tires.
Those that upgrade to the EX will benefit from standard fog lights, heated outside mirrors, exterior chrome/body-color door handles along with 17-inch alloy wheels with P215/55/R17 tires.
Moving up to the athletic SX adds 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 P225/45R18 tires.
Pricing and more detailed specifications will be released closer to the mid-size sedan's launch date.
[NY Show pics by Phil Alex]
