Kia Optima Sportswagon to make global debut in Geneva

Kia is all set to unveil the Optima Sportswagon, it’s first ever D-segment tourer at the upcoming 2016 Geneva Motor Show on 1 March.

Inspired by the 2015 Sportspace concept, the Optima Sportswagon aims to increase Kia’s presence in the European D-segment tourer market, according to the company.   

“In Europe, two thirds of all sales in the D-segment, and three quarters of all fleet sales in this class, are made up of tourers, so the Optima Sportswagon is an important conquest product for Kia,” said Michael Cole, Chief Operating Officer, Kia Motors Europe.

According to Kia, the Optima Sportswagon will be available with a choice of either a 1.7-litre CRDi diesel or 2.0-litre CVVL petrol engine, while the exciting GT models are equipped with the brand’s new high-powered 2.0-litre turbocharged direct injection petrol engine.

In terms of exterior dimensions, the Sportswagon retains the same width (1,860 mm) and length (4,855 mm) as the sedan, and grows by 5 mm in height (to 1,470 mm) to accommodate the expanded boot, which offers 553 litres of cargo space behind the second row of seats – 48 litres more than the Optima sedan.

Inside, most features are retained from the Optima sedan. The Sportswagon comes with a choice of single or two-tone colour interior schemes, Kia’s latest audio-visual navigation (AVN) system with 7.0- or 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment, the Android Auto system which can support Android phones running 5.0 (Lollipop) or higher, and Apple CarPlay for iPhone 5 or newer. Kia says that both systems feature voice control and allow the driver to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road ahead at all times.

The touchscreen infotainment system is paired with a six-speaker audio system as standard, while music lovers can also specify a powerful 590-watt Harman Kardon Premium Sound system, with eight speakers, an external amplifier and subwoofer, and Clari-Fi MP3 restoration technology.

Depending on market, other available features will include the 360-degree Around View Monitor, Smart Parking Assist System (SPAS), which parks the car automatically in parallel and perpendicular spaces, and Dynamic Bending Headlamps.

In terms of safety, there is the Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) is fitted as standard, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Advanced Smart Cruise Control (SCC), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), High Beam Assist (HBA), Speed Limit Information Function (SLIF), Blind Spot Detection (BSD), and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), which warns against other cars driving behind the Optima in car parks while reversing.

In the ride and handling department, the Optima sedan’s fully-independent suspension hardware is carried over, but the spring, damper and alignment settings have been tweaked in the new tourer due to the difference in weight distribution, which is slightly more rear-biased.

Besides that, the front and rear subframe mounting points have been moved further out towards the edge of the vehicle for a smoother ride over uneven surfaces. Last but not least, two additional front bushing mounts have been added to increase lateral stiffness, while more robust wheel bearings complete the front suspension changes.

The Optima Sportswagon will go on sale across Europe in Q4 2016, but there has not been any official announcement on whether it will be heading our way yet. So,stay tuned for more updates. 

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