GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: Kia Optima Sportswagon

Kia has released full details and images of the showroom version of its first D-segment (mid-size) wagon, the Optima Sportswagon, ahead of its world debut at the Geneva motor show on March 1.

As the Korean brand has already indicated, the bad news is the wagon version of Kia's new Optima sedan, which was launched in Australia in November, is far from certain to be sold here, thanks to demand for SUVs including Kia's own Sportage and Sorento.

"KMAu will certainly be having a close look at the Sportswagon, but there is quite a bit of research still needed to see how a wagon might fit into the model line-up, particularly given the seemingly ever-increasing popularity of SUVs," said Kia Motors Australia's media and corporate communications general manager Kevin Hepworth.

"We won’t be rushing into a decision but the discussion is on the table."

Previewed by the Kia SPORTSPACE Concept at the 2015 Geneva show, the Optima Sportswagon's best party trick is 553 litres of cargo capacity (48 litres more than the Optima sedan), augmented by a 40:20:40-split folding rear seat.

The Sportswagon retains the same width (1860 mm) and length (4855 mm) as the Optima sedan and is 5mm taller at 1470mm, but other specs are identical to the four-door.

That means a range of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, including a 120kW/196Nm 2.0-litre petrol, a 104kW/340Nm 1.7-litre turbo-diesel and a 180kW/353Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol, matched to six-speed manual transmissions and, for the diesel, a seven-speed dual-clutch auto.

Also as per the sedan, there'll be a sporty GT variant, wheel sizes ranging from 16- to 18-inch, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay infotainment and the option of electronic suspension.

Advanced safety options include Advanced Smart Cruise Control (SCC), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), High Beam Assist (HBA), Speed Limit Information Function (SLIF), Blind Spot Detection (BSD) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA).

"The Optima has come to define Kia globally, and is credited with kick-starting the brand’s design-led transformation," said Kia Motors Europe COO, Michael Cole.

"The SPORTSPACE concept from 2015 was a clear intention of where we wanted to take the Optima next, and the Sportswagon adds an extra level of style and practicality to the well-received sedan."

The Optima Sportswagon will be shipped from Korea to Europe – where wagons are still popular — in time for release in the fourth quarter of this year.

“This is an important product for Kia in Europe, and it will increase our presence in this hugely important segment," continued Cole.

"In Europe, two thirds of all sales in the D-segment, and three quarters of all fleet sales in this class, are made up of tourers, so the Optima Sportswagon will play a critical role in attracting new private and corporate buyers to the brand. This is an important conquest product for Kia.”