All-New 2015 Kia Optima Revealed For The European Market

The all-new 2015 Kia Optima has been revealed in its European specification, a few months after the D-segment sedan made its global debut at this year’s New York International Auto Show.

First up, the fourth-generation Optima is bigger than its predecessor with a length of 4,855mm (10mm increase), width of 1,860mm (25mm increase), and height of 1,465mm (10mm increase). This increase in vehicle size also accommodates a 10mm increase in wheelbase to 2,805mm, which should provide more legroom for rear passengers. Boot space gets a boost to 510 litres as well (5 litre increase).

Underneath the metal, the chassis is now stiffer with more than 50% of the body being made from high-strength steel. Together with an increased use of carbon fibre-reinforced plastics and structural adhesive, Kia has also concentrated on reducing NVH levels for a more comfortable experience.

For the European market, a 1.7-litre CRDi diesel engine producing 139hp and 340Nm will be offered, paired to either a seven-speed DCT or six-speed manual transmission. The sole petrol offering is a 2.0-litre GDI four-cylinder engine but will be expended to include a plug-in hybrid and a high-performance powerplant in the future, possibly fitted on the Optima GT variant.

As for its design, the all-new Kia Optima is virtually unchanged from the one that debuted in New York in April with the signature tiger nose grille at the front. Inside, sees the choice of a seven- or eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system running Kia’s AVN software, as well as more soft-touch materials utilised around the cabin.

Unlike the United States variant of the Optima which is built locally there in Georgia, the European variant originates from Korea, as are the Malaysian-spec models.

The all-new Kia Optima will make its first public debut in Europe during the Frankfurt Motor Show next month and will go on sale there during the fourth quarter of 2015.