Kia Optima 2014 News

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued its latest round of recalls, with models from Hyundai, Jaguar, Kia and Volvo impacted by the recent safety notices.

Kia unveiled concept versions of the Grand Carnival and Soul at this week's SEMA show.Most SEMA show cars are modified to go faster, but Kia has taken a marginally different approach with its 2014 concepts. Hyundai's efforts include a Genesis coupe that wouldn't look out of place in the Bathurst 12 Hour race, but Kia has unveiled a pub on wheels, an ice cream truck and a mobile garage based on the practical Grand Carnival and Soul models.Ballast Point SedonaThis Sedona has been transformed from a people carrier to a beer carrier. In our corner of the world, the Sedona is better known as the Grand Carnival, the third-generation of which is due to hit our shores next year.Featuring a redesigned, reinforced, heavy duty roof, plenty of mahogany and storage for up to four kegs of delicious craft beer, the Ballast Point Sedona (Grand Carnival) would be the perfect vehicle to have on the hill at Sydney Motorsport Park while you lap up a sunny afternoon of racing action.The only downside with the mobile pub is that the designated driver is the only one getting home, naturally all the passenger seats have been removed to maximise beer storage space.Smitten Ice Cream Soul EVNeed something to compliment the beer? How about nitrogen-chilled ice cream served from the back of an electric car?While nitrous-oxide is used to fuel high-performance cars, removing the oxygen from the equation means you can use nitrogen to fuel tasty treats.Much like the Ballast Point pub on wheels, the rear section of the all electric Soul has been gutted to make room for the ice cream equipment and storage space.It also has a custom trailer, which is joined to the tailgate of the Soul to make a bench from which the -196 degrees Celsius ice cream can be served.The Smitten Soul also has the traditional waffle-cone speakers on the roof so you can play Greensleeves, or something a bit more contemporary.Ultimate Karting SedonaIf all this sitting around watching racing and indulging in beer and ice cream has you feeling the need for speed, the Ultimate Karting Sedona concept car is what you need.Simply hitch the go-kart trailer, throw another go-kart on the roof, grab a mate and head off to the nearest track.The two of you will have all you need for a day of racing, with the back of the Sedona (Grand Carnival) transformed into a garage complete with tools, race gear and checkerboard rubber floor.You don't even need to bring a marquee, as the custom roof racks contain an awning to keep the sun and rain away while you prepare your machinery for the on-track battle.High-Performance K900The K900 (or Quoris as it's known in some parts) is Kia's equivalent of the Hyundai Genesis, and a car that isn't sold here. It's a bit of a shame, because this high-performance concept - developed by Kia racing drivers Mark Wilkins and Nic Jönsson - looks a bit swish.The 5.0-litre V8 engine has had twin turbochargers added underneath the boot (yup, underneath the boot. It helps reduce heat, they say) to bump the power output from 313kW to 485.The lowered sports suspension, 21-inch gloss black alloys and bright red brake callipers give the K900 a sleek, sporty look.Inside there are tan leather seats with black suede accents and 11-inch seatback monitors for the rear passengers that show footage from iRacing.com Motorsport Simulations. Which is grand if videos of motor racing video games are your thing.In the boot, along with a viewing porthole so you can see the turbochargers, are custom compartments to store your racing gear, presumably if you've run out of space in the Ultimate Karting Sedona.Pirelli World Challenge GTS OptimaSo why the focus on motorsport? Well, Kia are celebrating winning the manufacturer championship for the GTS class of the Pirelli World Challenge in the US this year.And joining the concept cars on display at the SEMA show is the No.30 GTS Optima that was driven by Mark Wilkins throughout the season, finishing third in the drivers' standings.Being a production series, the GTS Optima features the same 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine from the road-going Optimas available in the US. In Australia, the Optima only comes with the 148kW/250Nm naturally aspirated 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine.However the front-wheel drive Optima has been tuned so it produces 274kW, which is 126kW more than the Australian road-going models.The six-speed sequential transmission helps the 1300kg GTS Optima hit a top speed of 260km/h.

Kia's announcement of an Australian-first seven-year, unlimited kilometre warranty could benefit buyers of others brands as they try to match it.One of Australia's fastest growing car brands, Korean company Kia, is about to upset its big name rivals by announcing a seven-year unlimited kilometre warranty, the longest in Australian automotive history. Kia’s sister brand Hyundai was the first company to offer a five-year, 130,000km warranty in Australia 15 years ago -- in 1999 -- as a response to quality concerns over a bungled safety recall the year before.Hyundai then increased its warranty coverage to five years and unlimited kilometres in 2006.RELATED: Small car price war about to heat upFrench car maker Citroen then raised the bar in March this year, offering new-car buyers an unprecedented six-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.Kia's new benchmark of a seven year, unlimited kilometre warranty will put the market leaders under increasing pressure given brands such as Toyota, Holden, Ford, Mazda, Nissan, Volkswagen, Subaru, Honda, Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz only offer three years coverage. It means buyers of most mainstream brands will eventually be the winners as they try to raise their level of warranty coverage to either match or get closer to Kia's seven-year stretch. But none are yet to react.The longer warranty period will likely boost the resale value of Kia cars at trade-in time because used-car buyers will get the balance of the new-car warranty.Most new cars are sold after four years, according to industry figures. This means a typical secondhand Kia would give used car buyers three years of factory-backed protection against faults.The Kia warranty is part of the company's ambitious sales push in Australia after a decade of weak results.Kia is just outside the top 10 sellers but its sister brand Hyundai -- which sells, in effect, the same cars under the skin but with different body styles and different branding -- is in the top four.It is the largest gap between the two jointly owned companies in the world.Kia recently poached Hyundai Australia's sales and marketing boss Damien Meredith to head the Kia division locally and this is his first step towards doubling sales within four years."This is a watershed moment," said Mr Meredith. "Kia customers now have a peace of mind that can't be matched in the Australian new car market."The deal includes free roadside assistance for seven years -- if the car is serviced at a Kia dealer once a year.Kia has also extended its capped price servicing program to seven years -- one of the longest in the car business -- and that prices of routine maintenance will remain the same as before."The two year increase in warranty, capped-price servicing and roadside assist is absolutely transparent and we will not be asking our customers to dip into their pockets to fund the extra benefits," said Mr Meredith.

Kia has rolled out the revised version of its flagship Optima, with the good-looking Peter Schreyer designed sedan getting further cosmetic tweaks, plus extra equipment -- including high-end safety technology for the range-topping Platinum spec -- with small prices rises. The cosmetic refresh includes restyled grille and front bumpers, new headlight clusters -- with xenon lights, LED daytime running lights and quad LED foglights, according to model -- with the tail getting a new boot lid with integrated spoiler and a redesigned diffuser. Appearing for the first time on the Platinum as standard will be blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert systems -- making it easier for the driver to avoid unexpected surrounding traffic -- plus modern quad-type LED front foglights. The new features join with hill holder and the array of twin front, side and head airbags to make the five-star ANCAP rated car even safer. Both the Platinum and the mid-spec SLi also sport redesigned LED tail-lights, while front parking sensors now join the standard rear ones for the entire range, starting with the base model Si. Reshaped bumpers and rear diffuser, plus new alloy wheel designs -- 17-inch for the Si and 18-inch for SLi and Platinum -- complete the exterior updates. The interiors have been given a makeover, with a fresher layout for the centre stack and new accents and materials, with the SLi getting the biggest upgrades and moving closer to the Premium level with leather upholstery and the top-spec's Infinity audio system. Under the bonnets, the GDI 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine carries on, delivering 148kW of power at 6300rpm and 250Nm of torque at 4250rpm, getting that to the front wheels via the six-speed sports automatic transmission with F1-style paddle shifters on the steering wheel -- which itself bristles with remote controls for audio, phone and information. Fuel economy remains at 7.9l/100km for the combined cycle. Kia Australia chief operating officer Tony Barlow said the revision would offer more sophistication while retaining a high-value proposition. “With the latest version of the Optima, Kia continues to advance value to new levels of sophistication without any compromise on safety or core values,” Barlow said. “The Optima is the cornerstone of Kia’s design evolution and epitomizes the brand’s goal of building highly-captivating, value-positioned vehicles. Along with Kia Australia’s five-year unlimited kilometre warranty, five-year capped price servicing, roadside assist and Family Like Service commitment, the styling story on Optima paints a compelling picture.” Despite the extra features -- plus currency exchange rates not favouring the Aussie dollar -- price rises on the Optima have been restrained, with the base Si asking just $300 more, the Sli $1000 and the Platinum $1200. 2014 Kia Optima prices This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott

There are exciting new releases planned across the board; from budget hatches to practical SUVs, to exotic supercars. We’ve broken them down into segments and likely price categories to help you. We've based our price estimations on the current market, but some estimations could change in the future, and some model ranges span across price categories, so be sure to check our other stories...New cars for 2014 | less than $20,000New cars for 2014 | $40,000-$59,000New cars for 2014 | $59,000-$100,000New cars for 2014 | over $100,000 LIGHT CARSAlfa-Romeo MiTo: The Mini Cooper-rivalling MiTo hatch is due for a refresh in January. Tweaked styling is expected, along with updated features and sharpened pricing in line with other recent Fiat Chrysler Australia pricetag shuffles. (Approximately 25,000-30,000)Honda City and Jazz: Honda’s slow-selling City compact sedan is due to be replaced by an all-new model in the second quarter of 2014, leading the also-new third-generation Jazz compact hatch which is expected in around June. The new Jazz will benefit from a new dual-clutch auto transmission, and a new hybrid variant is expected to dip well below the current petrol-electric model’s 4.5L/100km combined figure. (Approximately $16,000-23,000)Kia Rio: Also due for a refresh in the third quarter is the Kia Rio light hatch and sedan range, with the stylish model likely to score visual tweaks and value gains to keep up with more recent competition. (Approximately $15,000-22,000)Mini Cooper: Mini will bring the all-new third-generation ‘new Mini’ Cooper to our shores from May, with the entry models using a new 1.5-litre three cylinder turbo petrol or diesel engine, and the hot Cooper S to step up to a new 2.0-litre turbo petrol from the same family The three-door hatch will be the only bodystyle to lob in 2014, with convertible and a new five-door hatch (at least) to follow later. (Approximately $31,000-$46,000)Volkswagen Polo: Volkswagen’s Polo light hatch range is also due for a mid-cycle refresh in the second half of the year, with revised styling, plus efficiency and technology trickle-down from the Mk7 Golf likely. Approximately $17,000-29,000)SMALL CARSAlfa Romeo Giulietta: Following on from its pricing shuffle in 2013, the small Giulietta hatch range also due for a mid-cycle refresh later in 2014. Approximately 24,000-40,000)Hyundai Elantra: Hyundai will revise its Elantra sedan in January, with freshened styling and a new local suspension tune expected to be the main changes. (Approximately $20,990-$30,190)Kia Pro_cee'd GT: Kia will bring the Pro_cee’d GT down under in March, with the new hot hatch set to go head to head with its mechanical sibling the Hyundai Veloster SR Turbo. (Approximately $30,000)Kia Soul: Also expected in March is a heavily revised version of the trendy Soul small hatch, with rejigged styling, upgraded underpinnings and petrol and diesel drivetrains. (Approximately $21,000-$30,000)Mazda3: Mazda will renew its assault on the Australian sales charts in January, with the arrival of the new third-generation 3 sedan and hatch models. The new 3 will be available with 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre versions of Mazda’s SkyActiv petrol engine from launch, with diesel versions set to follow later. (Approximately $20,000-35,000)Nissan Pulsar SSS sedan: In the third quarter, Nissan will break with Pulsar SSS tradition by adding a sedan version of the hot turbocharged model, with Mazda’s SP25 sedan its only logical rival. (Approximately $31,000)Peugeot 308: Peugeot’s headline act for 2014 will be the new 308 small hatch, with the lighter and more efficient model arriving before the end of the year to target Volkswagen’s Golf head-on. (Approximately $25,000-$40,000)Proton Suprima S: Proton will launch the Preve sedan-based Suprima S small hatch in January, in $21,790 (drive away) GX and $26,590 (drive away) GXR spec levels. Available with a CVT auto initially, both versions will use a 103kW/250Nm 1.6 litre petrol turbo. Cheaper $19,790 (GX) and $24,590 (GXR) six –speed manual versions will arrive later in the year. (Approximately $19,790-$24,590)Proton Preve: In the second quarter, ther Malaysian brand will add a five-speed manual version of the Preve GXR sedan, which is expected to undercut the existing CVT auto version by $2000 with a $20,990 drive away pricetag. A more upmarket Preve LE is expected at around the same time, and likely to be priced around the $25,000 mark.Renault Megane: Also due around June is a mid-cycle refresh for the Megane coupe, cabriolet, and wagon models. (Approximately $20,000-$50,000)Skoda Rapid Spaceback: Skoda will introduce the much anticipated Rapid Spaceback in the second quarter, with the new hatch to sit beneath the recently launched Octavia Liftback and wagon. (Approximately from $20,000)Toyota Corolla sedan: Toyota’s grasp on the Australian market is set to be strengthened by the arrival of a sedan version of the new Corolla in February. Both European and US versions of the new sedan have been unveiled, and the Australian model will most closely resemble the European model. (Approximately $20,000-$32,000)Volkswagen Golf wagon: Volkswagen will add a wagon bodystyle to its Mk7 Golf lineup early in 2014, mirroring the hatch with its range of petrol and diesel engines. (Approximately $27,000-37,000)FAMILY CARSFord Falcon: The once-mighty Falcon range is set to undergo its final facelift in the fourth quarter of 2014, ahead of it’s now certain doom in 2016. Minor styling revisions are expected, but the addition of Ford’s SYNC multimedia system and the return of the XR8 V8 model (as FPV is wound up) are likely to be the biggest changes. (Approximately 37,000-56,000)Kia Optima: Kia’s Optima will score a mid-cycle update in January, with revised styling inside and out, along with added features. (Approximately $30,990-$40,490)PEOPLE MOVERSCitroen C4 Grand Picasso: Citroen will replace the long-serving C4 Grand Picasso with an all-new version in the second quarter of 2014. The new model promises to continue as a stylish alternative to other seven-seat people movers with a choice of petrol or diesel drivetrains and will hopefully retain the current model’s sub-$40,000 pricing. (Approximately $37,000-$40,000)Honda Odyssey: An all-new Odyssey eight-seat people mover will follow in February, with fresh styling, improved features and safety and a more efficient drivetrain. (Approximately $35,000-$43,000)Kia Grand Carnival: Later in the year, Kia will replace the segment-champion but ageing Grand Carnival model. Improvements to safety, features, and efficiency are expected, and should be a winner if the smaller new Rondo is anything to go by. (Approximately $39,000-56,000)SUV/4WDFord EcoSport: The Blue Oval’s new EcoSport baby will complete its lineup in February, with the cheaper Trend and Ambiente spec levels joining the top-line Titanium that launched the model in December. (Approximately $20,790-27,790)Honda CR-V diesel: Honda will kick off 2014 by adding the first-ever diesel variant to the local CR-V SUV lineup in January. The 2.2 litre unit produces 110kW/350Nm, and will be available in six-speed manual or five-speed auto with all-wheel drive only. Official fuel consumption is as low as 5.8L/100km. (Approximately $35,000-$45,000)Jeep Cherokee: Jeep’s new more-civilised Cherokee SUV will arrive in the first half of 2014, with a choice of 2.4-litre petrol, 3.2-litre petrol V6, or 2.0-litre turbodiesel engines. (Approximately $28,000-$37,000)Kia Sportage: During the second quarter, Kia will grace its Sportage medium SUV with a more significant update than the minor revisions made in mid-2013 with the shift to European production. Like Optima, expect fresh interior and exterior styling and new features. (Approximately $25,000-$40,000)Kia Sorento: The final Kia model for 2014 is likely to be a significantly revamped Sorento seven-seat SUV, with a comprehensive design update inside and out to bring it in line with the fresher styling of its Hyundai Santa Fe mechanical twin. (Approximately $38,000-$51,000)Nissan X-Trail: Nissan will replace its hugely successful X-Trail medium SUV in about July, with the bigger design offering seating for seven for the first time, and improved refinement to go with its softened exterior design. (Approximately $30,000-$47,000)Nissan Qashqai: Nissan’s other significant SUV arrival for 2014 will be the Dualis-replacing Qashqai compact SUV, which will arrive in five-seat only guise in the third quarter. (Approximately $26,000-$36,000)Renault Captur: The Renault Captur will arrive mid-year, representing the French brand in the rapidly expanding compact SUV segement. The Clio-based crossover should start in the low $20,000s, and challenge the Trax, Juke, 2008, and EcoSport. (Approximately from $20,000)Skoda Yeti: Skoda’s best-selling Yeti compact SUV is also in line for a mid-cycle refresh in around June, with revised styling and features to bring it in line with the brand’s newer models. (Approximately $26,000-$38,000)Suzuki S-Cross: Suzuki’s SX4-replacing S-Cross will arrive in January, with reduced fuel consumption an increased interior space over the model it supercedes. Like the SX4, the S-Cross will continue with 2WD and AWD options, and will be priced between $22,990 and $34,990.COMMERCIAL VEHICLESFord Transit: Ford’s commercial lineup will receive a boost in January with the arrival of an all-new Transit van model, with the light-duty Transit Custom touching down ahead of the heavy-duty Transit Cargo range in April. (Approximately $36,000-$52,000)Renault Kangoo Maxi crew van: A passenger-carrying Kangoo Maxi crew van is also expected in the second quarter. (Approximately $27,000)

Key clues to the Optima’s update are a restyled front fascia with black inserts, revised headlight clusters with LED strips and LED foglights on some models, plus new rear diffuser and new LED taillights. The Optima cabin gets two new screens: an 8-in touchscreen for nav and entertainment, and a 4.3-in LCD screen in the instrument cluster for trip info. The US top-spec Kia Optima gets HID lights, leather upholstery, red brake callipers and an electronic park brake, while options include dual-exhaust tips, eight-way seat adjustment and a blindspot detection system. The new Optima will continue with the current 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a revised six-speed automatic gerarbox, but there could also be a turbocharged 2.0-litre on offer. A petrol-hybrid engine and a 1.7-litre turbodiesel will be available in overseas markets but we’re unlikely to see them here when the Optima arrives early in 2014.  

But a group of luck Kia owners were recently allowed to visit their car's birthplace -- and get an insider's view of production. Kia ran a competition on Facebook that had 50 Kia owners from around the globe headed to the home of the brand - South Korea. The group enjoyed a tour of the Hwaseong Plant and Kia's head office, the steel-making side of the business -- and some South Korean food and culture. Among the lucky winners was Leanne Moore, 47, from Moorooka in Queensland, who has just bought her second Kia and was already a huge fan of the brand. And then an even bigger fan when she got the news of her prize. "I've had a Carnival and recently traded it in for a Sorento," she said. "I won the Facebook competition after I had the Sorento serviced. I didn't believe it when they rang to tell me I'd won," she says. Ms Moore says Kia hosted four busloads of winners from North America, South America and Russia, as well as the Australians. And they all got a good look behind the scenes of carmaking. "The factory tour was amazing," she says. "I was surprised how everything runs so smoothly, and how enormous it is -- both the size of the factory and the number of cars they produce. "The steelmaking plant was incredible ... it was like a whole big city with apartment blocks and transport systems for the workers." Ms Moore says she had never given any thought to the processes that landed a car in her garage. "I picked my car because I liked the look of it and liked it when I drove it, but I never thought too much about what goes into building a car," she says. "Going through the factory you get a picture of the huge effort that goes into each car. We really got a behind the scenes look -- I suppose we got to see where our car was born." Kia Australia national service manager Darren Carver says the Hwaseong Plant the group toured builds around 2500 cars per day -- including Cerato, Optima and Sorento. "We got some excellent feedback from the customers, the Korean people really look after you when you go over there," he says. "They went to the steel pressing plant, then the bodyshop where the panels are welded together, then they followed right down the line to see the finished car," he says. Mr Carver says tours of this nature for owners are rare, as this sort of event is normally restricted to dealers for the brand and automotive media. "This is not something customers get to do very often, dealers, media and fleet customers do but the public don't - it's pretty rare. "We're pushing for it to be an annual event, it's not cheap but it's a good thing, the customers really enjoyed it," he says The company's positive feedback is reflected in global brand value research, which had Kia debut at number 87 on the list of the Top 100 Best Global Brands study by Interbrand, the world's largest brand consultancy agency. Kia Australia chief operating officer Tony Barlow says Kia has emerged as a truly global brand.  "We've been here for about 15 years, the last third has seen the most exciting changes have occurred - since Sportage it has been a humbling experience to see how well-received Kia has been with customers, voting with their purchases," he says. Globally, the company continues to beat its own sales records - global figures for September 2012 totalled 246,733 units, a year-on-year increase of 13.3 per cent. For the first nine months of this year, Kia's global sales have increased by 11.3 per cent year-on-year to reach 2,034,787 units. The Australian arm of the company has more than doubled that improvement so far this year - 23,456 Kias were sold to the end of September, up by 4431 vehicles, a 23.3 per cent increase.  

Kia has joined forces with DC Entertainment and RIDES magazine to create a brooding, Batman-inspired Optima that goes on display this week at the Time Warner Centre in New York. The project kicks off a 10-month partnership that will spawn other concepts based on the iconic characters that make up the Justice League. Influenced by the artistry of comic book icon, Jim Lee, the Kia super hero vehicles will become a force for good in the world by raising awareness of DC Entertainment's “We Can Be Heroes'' campaign, a relief effort to fight famine in Africa. Fitting for the caped crusader's dark and mysterious personality, Kia's range-topping Optima SX Limited wraps cutting-edge technology and premium amenities in a sleek, aggressive design customised with several unique Batman elements. Working together, Kia, DC Entertainment and RIDES magazine designed and built the Batman-themed Optima, transforming the exterior with a matte- and piano-black paint scheme, a dramatically lowered coilover suspension and muscular ground effects kit, huge Ksport performance brakes for extreme stopping power, custom-designed 20-inch black wheels and a performance exhaust system. Other exterior modifications include a custom front grille shaped like a batwing that took over 40 hours to create, yellow LED lighting accents throughout the vehicle and the iconic bat signal etched into the HID headlights. Moving beneath the cape, the Optima's seating surfaces are costumed in custom black leather and suede with bold yellow accent stitching. Gotham City's streets are full of villains and the Batman-themed Optima is ready for action at a moment's notice with a Bat suit and cowl mounted in the trunk and utility throwing stars installed in the center console.  

Supplies to Australia were originally capped at just 1000 cars when  the Optima Platinum hit local showrooms early in 2011 with a $36,990 pricetag, but now the gates have been opened and a second model joins the lineup.  The Optima Si has the same mechanical package but less equipment, allowing it to sell from $30,490. It's a mark that continues to undercut the Hyundai i45 and similar mid-sized rivals including the all-new Toyota Camry.  Kia Australia is also not ruling out a third Optima model to fill the $6000 gap between its two cars. The big breakthrough comes with extra supplies from Korea, after delivery restrictions throughout the past year.  "We are confident of getting more supply. From now," says Kia spokesman, Kevin Hepworth. "The launch of the Si will be January 20 and we have an assurance that there will be improved supply of that car. Around the world there are  some sales falling off, so they are placing the cars and that is  giving us a better bite." The Optima has not hit its original Australian target but Hepworth says supply is the biggest problem. "To the end of November it was 775. It's probably going to be 800 or 850 sales for 2011, says Hepworth. "For next year, we're not giving numbers."  The Optima Si still has a 148 kiloWatt, 2.4-litre petrol engine but the cabin has been downgraded with cloth trim, manual seats, and less punch in the stereo. But it continues with the reversing camera, Bluetooth, auto aircon and six airbags of the Platinum. Mechanically, it gets smaller 17-inch alloys and front discs, while the LED running lights, sunroof and rear spoiler from the Platinum have also been dropped.Into the future, Kia says there won't be an Optima wagon but the Australian operation is still pushing hard for a performance model.  "There isn't a station wagon variant of that car. Hybrid is still not a high priority car," says Hepworth. "The Optima Turbo is one we continue to ask for, but there still isn't a right-hand drive program." There will be a small tweak to the Platinum model by March with the introduction of satnav, which will also be migrated into Kia's Sorento and Sportage SUVs. "It will be sooner rather than later. It's not decided yet if it will be standard or optional," says Hepworth. "The Platiunum will also get satnav availabiity from the first quarter this ear. Probably earlier rather than later. It's not decided if it  will be standard, and the same applies to Sorento and Sportage."

The fuel-saving hybrid sedan from Korea could take on the Camry on Australian streets within two years. Kia is pushing hard for the Optima Hybrid - available in the US - to be built in right-hand drive and take on the successful Camry in Australia. The location of the steering wheel is the only stumbling block, says Kia Australia’s CEO MK Lee. “I’d like to bring it in now but it may take two years for it to be made as a right-hand drive,’’ he says. It’s certainly in our plans to have it join our range.’’ Lee says it is “frustrating’‘ that the Hybrid is unavailable. It’s not Kia Australia’s only annoyance - supply issues have slashed the true potential of the diesel Sportage and the new Rio. It was also impact on the three-door Rio, just launched at the Frankfurt motor show. Lee says he expects Kia to sell about 25,000 units this calendar year, though indicates that a more reliable flow of supply could push that to 30,000. Kia’s Powertrain Engineering manager, Dr Joachim Hahn, says hybrid development was ongoing and parallel to research on fuel cells and plug-in electric cars.