- All-new four-door D-segment sedan to be revealed at Frankfurt's IAA Motor Show in September

- Latest model in the complete regeneration of Kia's product range

Next Car is the first Australian media outlet to show images of the new Kia Optima.

Kia has released initial details and photos of its all-new Kia Optima four-door sedan which will make its world premiere at the Frankfurt International Motor Show on 15th September 2005, prior to an Australian debut in the second quarter of 2006.

Designed at Kia facilities in Korea, the USA and Europe, the new Optima marks the latest step in the complete regeneration of the Kia product line-up over the last four years.

Longer, wider and higher than the previous model, with an extended 2,720 mm wheelbase, a more spacious interior and a larger boot, the stylish new Optima is a thoroughly modern design, engineered to give Kia a strong challenger in the medium size sedan sector around the world. The new Optima measures 4,735 mm long, 1,805 mm wide and it is 1,480 mm tall.

Globally, the new Optima will be available in 2.4-litre in-line four cylinder and 2.7-litre V6 petrol engines, and a new 2.0-litre diesel engine will be introduced in Europe along with a 2.0-litre in-line four cylinder petrol engine.

As well as attracting customers with its stylish exterior and comfortable interior, the new Optima will come with a generous level of active and passive safety equipment, including, depending on local market specifications and model variations, ABS and ESP stability control, rear parking sensors, front, side and curtain airbags, and active - anti-whiplash - front seat head restraints.

"Through hard work and dedication, we have totally transformed our product range in recent years," says Yong-Hwan Kim, Senior Executive Vice President and COO of Kia Motors Corporation. "Starting with the Sorento 4WD, followed by the Picanto, the Cerato, the Sportage compact 4WD and most recently the all new Rio, we have demonstrated Kia's determination to deliver a modern, highly competitive range of cars with immense customer appeal in Europe and throughout the globe."

"With the Optima launch, we will have competitive models in the A, B, C and D-segments as well as the MPV and 4WD sectors, maintaining the momentum of our rapid growth and our ability to attract more and more new customers." Mr. Kim added.

The all new Kia Optima will make its Australian debut at the Brisbane International Motor Show in March 2006, with a launch in the following months. Pricing and specification for Australia will be announced at the launch, but given its higher specification and market position, it is expected that it will arrive in the Australian market above the existing Kia Optima.