2011 Kia Optima unveiled in Colombo

A new benchmark for luxury driving, superlative design and motoring safety has fired the imagination of motor enthusiasts in Sri Lanka with the unveiling of the 2011 KIA Optima, just eight months after the all-new KIA Sportage took the fraternity by storm.

The 2011 Kia Optima, a winner of multiple top international awards for its revolutionary design and advanced, class-leading safety features, was the star at an eagerly anticipated gala preview at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel on Tuesday, 10th May, 2011.

The former Audi Chief Designer, Peter Schreyer -- renowned for some benchmark designs such as the Audi T.T. and the redesigned VW Beetle -- in his role as Chief Design Officer of KIA designed this all-new automotive masterpiece. It will elevate the norms of luxury driving hitherto known to local auto enthusiasts when the cars begin arriving in the country from September 2011, Kia Motors (Lanka)  Limited said. The new Optima exudes an athletic confidence from every angle and shut line - its raked roofline, the high and pronounced shoulder line of its sculpted flanks and its extended wheelbase are complemented by boldly flared wheel arches and a shallow glasshouse that create a saloon with a muscular and self-assured stance.

The striking visage of the Optima features a new interpretation of Kia's bold 'tiger' family face that's edged by piercing projector headlamps.

Longer, wider and lower than before, the Optima's coupe-like profile is enhanced by the sweeping chrome arc that flows from A to C pillar, a distinctive design motif that visually lowers the car further still and enhances its cab-backwards proportions.

Spacious, and with class-leading levels of safety and luxury equipment, the Optima's intelligently configured and driver-oriented cabin underlines this newfound poise and presence.

 “The next generation Optima possesses the power to surprise," Peter Schreyer has said of his acclaimed creation.  "It's a car that people will simply not expect from Kia - and that's exactly what we set out to achieve.”

Designed to ensure higher performance, greater fuel efficiency and lower emissions, the Optima’s class-leading environment-friendly powertrains utilises a 2.0 litre MPI lightweight Theta ll petrol engine. It delivers extra torque by employing a straightened air intake system that allows inhalation of a greater volume of air. The CVVT engine offers maximum power of 165 ps, maximum torque of 20.2 kg-m and displacement of 1,998 cc. Standard with six speed automatic transmission is the Active Eco system that optimises all the drive train elements to deliver significant fuel saving.   “The insatiable global demand for the 2011 Kia Optima reflects its universal appeal in many aspects including design, safety, price and leading-edge features,” Mahen Thambiah, Managing Director of Kia Motors (Lanka) Limited said. “One only has to glance at the Optima however to realize that its exceptional design is the most crucial aspect of its appeal. It is a masterpiece that clearly reflects Kia’s evolution into a design driven auto manufacturer.”   The Optima Sedan claimed the prestigious ‘best of the best’ title, at the world renowned red dot design awards at Germany in March 2011. This is the competition’s highest distinction, for which only the best products in each category are eligible. The revolutionary design of the Optima was also endorsed by an award at the 2011 iF product design awards.

In terms of safety too, the Optima has set a benchmark by becoming the first Korean built vehicle to achieve a five-star rating under the more stringent guidelines introduced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of the U.S Department of Transportation. It was also awarded the “Top Safety Pick” award by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the U.S.

The Optima will be offered at a special introductory price of Rs. 4.2 million exclusive of VAT and a three year/100,000 km warranty that will make it an unbeatable value-for-money proposition in its class.

Among the standard features included for this price are pure leather seats, Day time Running Lights (DRLS), 17 inch tires with alloy wheels (215 x SS R17) with 16 inch front and 15 inch rear disc brakes, tinted glasses, six speakers with front door-mounted tweeter, air conditioning, AM/FM/CD/MP3 with USB/Auxiliary/IPod input jacks, dual zone automatic temperature control, steering-wheel mounted audio control buttons, cruise control with steering wheel mounted control buttons, power windows, keyless entry system, Halogen projection head lamps, LED rear combination lamp, indicators, trip computer, wood grain accent on steering wheel and control panel, power steering and solar glass.

Pic by Krishan Ranasinghe