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NEWS
NEW YORK MOTOR SHOW: Kia Optima facelift
Upgraded Optima brings fresh looks and more luxury to mid-size Kia sedanKia has revealed a midlife makeover for its Optima at the New York motor show, precisely three years after the classy mid-size sedan made its world debut in the Big Apple in 2010.
Due on sale in Australia around the end of this year or in early 2014, following its US release in the third quarter of 2013, the revised Optima presents new front and rear bumpers, new LED front positioning and fog lights and new LED tail-lights.
Inside, there’s a more upmarket cabin featuring new seat designs and an optional new Blind Spot Detection (BSD) system including rear cross-traffic alert and rear parking sensors.
Although 2014 Optima specifications are yet to be confirmed for Australia, where Si, SLi and Platinum variants are currently priced at $30,490, $34,990 and $38,790 (plus on-road costs) respectively, all models will offer a better-appointed cabin with more standard equipment.
In the US, that includes a new 4.3-inch TFT LCD instrument cluster and the options of a new high-resolution eight-inch navigation and telematics screen, featuring UVO eServices, an eight-speaker Infinity sound system, HD Radio, SiriusXM Satellite Radio and SiriusXM Traffic.
Just one (2.4-litre petrol, six-speed automatic) powertrain is available in Australia, but 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and 2.4-litre petrol-electric drivetrains across five variants continue to be available in North America.
For the record, they include the entry-level LX, which comes standard with dual chromed exhaust outlets, solar glass, heated wing mirrors with integrated indicators, front foglights, chromed exterior door-handles and new 16-inch alloy wheels.
North America’s volume-selling Optima EX offers larger 17-inch alloys, leather trim, an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat and illuminated front cup-holders, while the SX grade comes with new 18-inch polished alloy wheels, unique front and rear lower bumpers and side sills, and aero wiper blades.
Kia Motors America’s Optima SX-T includes HID headlights with auto leveling, while the top-shelf Limited flagship adds unique 18-inch chromed wheels, new LED foglights, red brake calipers, an electronic parking brake, chrome accented side sills and premium Nappa leather seat trim.
“With the latest version of the Optima, Kia continues to advance value to new levels of sophistication, offering mid-size sedan consumers new premium amenities and convenience upgrades, as well as a refinement of the world-class design that so completely transformed our brand,” said Kia Motors America spokesman Michael Sprague.
“The Optima is the cornerstone of Kia’s design evolution and epitomises the brand’s goal of building highly captivating, value-positioned vehicles.”
The European-designed Optima, which rides on the same VF/YF platform as sister brand Hyundai’s i40 and i45 medium sedans, has become Kia’s top-selling model globally in the past three years, with more than 150,000 examples sold last year.
Thanks to the belated addition of entry-level model grades following supply shortages from Korea, Optima sales surged by almost 175 per cent in Australia last year, although 2267 registrations accounted for just 3.3 per cent of the local mainstream medium sedan segment.
In 2012, the Optima was outsold by mid-size stalwarts like the Toyota Camry, Mazda6, Honda Accord Euro, Ford Mondeo, Subaru Liberty, Volkswagen Passat, the i45 and i40, VW Jetta and even premium mid-sizers like the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4.
For the latest New York motor show news at motoring.com.au
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Written byMarton Pettendy
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