Kia prepares for Optima release
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20th October, 2010
Due for release locally in early 2011, the Kia
Optima has been winning hearts and headlines in overseas markets.
“This is a truly stylish and classy design statement that underscores the reasons why Kia is
one of the fastest growing brands in the automotive world,” Kia Motors Australia COO Tony
Barlow said.
“The Peter Schreyer-led design team has distilled the essence of quality into a visual
statement. Just as importantly, the engineering team has delivered on that promise to ensure the
Optima’s looks are matched by its ability.”
The Optima made its world debut at the New York Motor Show last April and since then has wowed
audiences in Asia and Europe. Now it is about to be Australia’s turn.
Longer, lower and wider than the previous generation model (Magentis in Australia), the new
Optima features a significantly longer wheelbase (up by 75 mm) and will offer much more space for
people and cargo in a package designed with both pleasure and practicality paramount.
“With the all-new Optima, our global design team has created a vehicle with distinctive
dimensions and proportions that stands apart from everything else in its segment. Using an all-new
platform and an all-new body shell, Optima moves our mid-size sedan product up to the next level
of Kia’s design revolution,” said Kia Motor Corporation’s Vice-Chairman, Hyoung-Keun Lee.
“In spite of the ongoing global economic uncertainties, Kia’s market research indicates that
demand for D-segment (mid-size) sedans in many countries will grow steadily over the next three
years. We anticipate segment sales rising by 23% from 4.3 million last year to 5.3 million in 2013,
with significant growth in North and South America, China, Africa, India and the Asia/Pacific
region.”
The new Optima is the result of a global design effort from Kia’s design studios in Frankfurt
and Los Angeles.
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“The all-new Optima is a new strand in Kia’s evolving design DNA with a blend of simple and
fluid lines and elegant but uncomplicated shapes that draw the attention of the eye, much in the
same fashion as a perfectly-tailored fine Italian suit,” Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer
said.
“With the new Optima we have created a product that people would previously not have
expected from Kia, and that is exactly what we set out to achieve.”
“Our new Optima is more than one step ahead of the car it replaces – it’s a clean sheet
design that owes nothing to its predecessor. Through the balance of its 'muscular' proportions and
the elegant simplicity of its raked roofline, our design results in a car that radiates
self-assurance and confidence from every angle.”
Mr Barlow said that while it is too early to confirm specification or pricing for the Optima,
the car would arrive “as a rich mix of performance and sophistication”.
Full specifications and pricing will be available at Next Car closer to the Kia Optima
launch date.
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