Kia Optima 2011 News

The hybrid will take a step beyond Toyota's flagship with a lithium-ion polymer battery pack but will not be built as a plug-in car, according to Kia chief, Hank Lee. It is most likely to be a version of the latest Optima, which has just out-sold the equivalent Hyundai in Korea and is coming to Australia early in 2011. But there is - as yet - no confirmation of a hybrid plan down under."From January we will be building a hybrid. Full hybrid, like the Camry," Lee tells Carsguide in an exclusive interview. "We plan to utilise an existing body. We have already developed a left-hand drive version and production will be from December this year. But the layout for right-hand drive is a little bit different. We are negotiating to cut the investment so we can do it."Lee says Kia has a high-tech drive underway in Korea as it works on everything from plug-in city cars to models powered by hydrogen fuel cells generating on-board electricity. But it also has a total renewal underway on its current showroom models."By 2013 I think most of our product will be new. That, I think, is our strength," he says. "Even during the financial crisis we never stopped, never delayed, our new product development. That, I think, is our strength. The new product keeps coming. And we will have some high-performance engines."He says the latest Sportage is just the start, with the Optima coming early next year and the all-new Rio later in 2011."For Rio, we benchmark Toyota Yaris and Peugeot 207."But he stops short of a five-star safety commitment on every new Kia, unless Australia - and Australians - are prepared to pay."The technology is for five-star in all products. In America, with an entry car, four-star is enough," Lee says. "To achieve five-star we need active and passive safety features. (So) It depends on the local needs. If MK Kim (Australian Managing Director) and his team want five-star with the new Rio then he has to pay more. And also the customer has to pay more. It's a marketing decision."But he currently rules out building Kia cars for Australia outside Korea, even if Hyundai is spreading its manufacturing footprint."Duty now is five per cent and we are discussing with the Australian government a Free Trade Agreement. If both governments reach an agreement then why not from Korea? It's not very far from here and no tariff."

The new-generation Optima (designed at Kia's in-house Frankfurt and California studios) continues Kia's styling trend begun by the Cerato, with as many as five new powertrains, including a hybrid.The Optima's new platform is longer, wider and lower than the vehicle it replaces - 4845mm long (up by 45mm), 1830mm wide, a 2795mm wheelbase (a 75mm increase) and ground clearance of 135mm.It will be available with three new Theta II engines, a 151kW 2.4-litre direct-injection four-cylinder, a 207kW two-litre direct-injection turbocharged engine (bound for Australia) or a 2.4-litre hybrid, the latter to be introduced in 2011. Australia-bound Optimas are also likely to be offered with a 123kW two-litre or a 133kW 2.4-litre engine; both manual and automatics will be six-speeders.The new Optima's safety features are likely to include six airbags (dual front, side and full-length curtain), front active headrests, tyre pressure monitoring system, anti-lock brakes, stability control and hill assist.Kia chief design officer Peter Schreyer says the new Optima is a new strand in Kia's growing design DNA."It's a blend of simple and fluid lines and elegant but uncomplicated shapes that draw the attention of the eye in much the same fashion as a perfectly-tailored fine Italian suit," he says. "From the distinctive sweeping chrome accent stretching through the C-pillars to the sleek greenhouse and flared wheel arches, every inch of the Optima projects a distinguished and refined style and extreme attention to detail."The all-new Optima also employs engine management systems like direct injection, multi-port injection and turbocharging to help bring performance to the brand without sacrificing fuel efficiency. The new model is scheduled to be launched in Australia late in the final quarter four, replacing the Magentis and bringing the Optima nameplate back to local showrooms after a four-year absence.Also making its world premiere in New York is the Cerato five-door, bringing with it updated grille, alloy wheels and centre console, as well as three petrol engines - a 1.6-litre, 2.0-litre or 2.4-litre - and six-speed manual or automatic transmissions.Kia says customers outside of North America will be able to choose from the 1.6 and 2.0-litre powerplants, the latter more likely for Australia when the new five-door hatch is launched in October.

Just as Hyundai restricts its luxury Genesis to left-hand drive production, Kia has made a similar decision for the model called VG.Pictures of the VG show it is just as good looking as the Genesis — or better — with European-inspired bodywork with some obvious ties to the BMW design direction.But no-one in Australia should get too excited about the VG. "Unfortunately it is only available in left-hand drive at this stage and we are not likely to see it here," says Jonathan Fletcher, spokesman for Kia Australia."It is certainly a statement that the company's design philosophy has matured - something you can already see in other models from the new Cerato onwards."The VG is officially the replacement for the Kia Opirus, which is sold in Korea, America and Europe.