4-door Kia Optima to come as a wagon, coupe
The Kia Optima, a mid-size four-door sedan, has been selling steadily since 2000, all throughout the world. It’s most recent redesigning took place earlier this year and it was unveiled at the 2010 New York Auto Show sporting a brand new look, design and engine.
Most recently Kia has been talking about a wagon coupe combination using the third generation Optima sedan as their blueprint and backbone of the project. Kia head designer Peter Schreyer has openly expressed interests in such a project, but leaned towards his focus in the European markets considering wagons typically are more well received there than in the United States. This idea of poorly received wagons in the U.S could be changing as the Honda Accord Coupe and Nissan Altima Coupe have been selling well and who is to say that this Kia Optima wagon coupe couldn’t sell well just as they have.
The Optima is a relative of the Hyundai Sonata, the two vehicles have slight variations. The new Optima have a new GDI 2.4 4-cylinder engine with the option of a 6-speed automatic transmission with Eco dash display or the Optima is offered with the standard 6-speed manual transmission (which is standard in the LX model). The Kia Optima will not officially be at your Antioch used cars dealerships until the fall of this year; however it was released earlier this year in the South Korean market under the name, Kia K5.
There are three separate trims available, the base LX, upscale EX, and sporty SX models. All models come standard with Anti-lock brake system and electronic stability control and with luxurious features like Sirius Satellite Radio, a cooled glove box, iPod connectivity, and a hands-free Bluetooth phone connectability. The EX model separates itself from the pack with Kia’s new UVO infotainment system designed by Mr. Billy Gates and Microsoft, a backup camera, proximity key and a the ever popular Push-Button Start.
The sporty SX trim has all of the above and some more, including a rear spoiler, metal pedals, black hybrid metal and carbon insert trim, paddle shifters, and illuminated scruff plates. Also becoming a staple of four door sedans is the panoramic moon roof. There will also be heated front rear seats, cooled front seats, heated steering wheel and a navigation system. It’s amazing how these luxury features typically reserved for the Beamers and Bentleys are now becoming standard practice in the regular sedan market.
With a Hybrid model and Turbo model in the works expected for early 2011 the Kia Optima is worth a test drive at your local Round Lake used cars dealer.
