SEOUL: Kia has showed off a pair of teaser sketches of its all-new Optima sedan, offering a first official look at the coming midsizer. These illustrations showcase a muscular and streamlined look that will be significantly toned down for production.
2016 kia optima teaser sketch 03 This is not the first time Kia has teased the new Optima, however, with February’s Sportspace wagon concept known to be an early preview of what we’ll see at next month’s New York Auto Show.
But, combined with the Sportspace concept and TMR’s own spy photos, these renderings reveal that Kia has focused on evolving the lines of the already appealing third-generation Optima’s look.
Sharp angles will again dominate the Optima’s profile, wrapped in a bold chrome garnish that will once more run the length of the coupe-like roof line.
Sharp headlights and Kia’s familiar ‘tiger nose’ grille will sit proud at the front, matched to slender tail lamps and an integrated boot lip at the rear.
Earlier spy photos have also revealed the new model’s interior, highlighting an understated dash design that draws its inspiration from the likes of Audi and BMW.
The debut of the Sportspace concept suggests we can also expect a wagon body to join the Optima range, although the carmaker has yet to confirm plans on that front.
If a wagon variant does enter the line-up, we won’t necessarily see it in Australia: speaking with TMR in February, Kia’s local product boss Jeff Shafer said there are challenges in offering a regular wagon in our SUV-obsessed market.
“With wagons in particular, in Australia, we certainly need to look very closely at the market,” Mr Shafer said.
“This hasn’t been a strong wagon market [of late], as SUVs are certainly the dominant trend.”
Australian versions of the new Optima will likely be driven again by a four-cylinder petrol engine, although we could yet see the new range’s anticipated hybrid and turbo models make their way to local showrooms.
