FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW: Kia Optima facelift

Kia’s facelifted Optima first appeared at this year’s New York motor show, and now the South Korean car-maker’s volume-selling mid-sizer has made its European debut at the Frankfurt motor show.

The updates to the latest model – which is due here late this year or in early 2014 – are more about style than substance, with the cosmetic changes including new headlights, foglights, rear lights, bumpers and wheels.

Keen spotters will note the LED daytime running lights have migrated from the bumper into the headlight – bringing the Optima in line with other Kia models – and the foglights are set into a body-colour panel rather than the transverse black panel of the original design.

Meanwhile, high-spec models gain four-point LED foglights that mimic those found on the latest Kia pro_cee’d GT and cee’d GT, as well as the Quoris flagship luxury sedan.

Further visual differentiation vis-à-vis the outgoing Optima comes via three new 17-inch and 18-inch alloy wheel designs and a new sharper-edged bootlid. The tail-light clusters have also been massaged, and they can be ordered with surface-emitting LEDs for greater visibility.

Euro buyers can also specify an optional ‘Sport Pack’ that adds a black-mesh front grille, chrome trim around the lower air-intake, unique 18-inch, five double-spoke alloys and a matt-black diffuser beneath the rear bumper. It’s yet to be announced whether this pack will be offered in Australia.

The cabin has also been remodelled to boost its visual appeal, and the key changes are to the instrument cluster, steering wheel, centre stack, gear selector, door armrests and the seats. Interior colour choices comprise beige two-tone or black monotone finish.  

European buyers are offered a choice of a 121kW 2.0-litre petrol engine and a 100kW 1.7-litre turbo-diesel, but Australian-spec cars are expected to retain the existing 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol unit, mated to a six-speed automatic.

Here's the full run down on the latest news from Frankfurt motor show

Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...

Don't forget to register to comment on this article.