Kia Motors has unleashed a slew of its global models on Indian roads to get the word out about its entry next year. Recently, an uncamouflaged Kia Optima appeared on a highway, an image published by carwale has revealed.
The Kia Optima is a mid-size sedan is an alternative to the Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, VW Passat, Mazda6 and Ford Fusion (Ford Mondeo). Also called Kia K5, the fourth generation model debuted in 2015 and received a facelift in January this year.
The Kia Optima is 4,855 mm long, 1,860 mm wide and 1,465 mm high. Like the latest Hyundai Sonata, which rides on its platform, it has a 2,805 mm wheelbase. Kia offers it across the globe with a variety of compact and large engines. In South Korea, the company’s home market, options include 180 PS 1.6-litre T-GDI petrol, 163 PS 2.0-litre CVVL petrol, 151 PS 2.0-litre LPI petrol-LPG and 141 PS 1.7-litre VGT diesel. Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid variants are also available, targeted at efficiency and environment conscious customers.
Full-LED headlamps, LED fog lamps, 18-inch alloy wheels, LED rear combination lamps, ambient lighting in six selectable colours, heated and ventilated seats with 8-way power adjustment for front seats, 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system and mobile phone wireless charging are some of the key features of the Kia Optima.
Kia equips the Optima with a plethora of advanced driver assistance and safety features, such as Around View Monitor (AVM), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Advanced Smart Cruise Control (ASCC), Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Lane Change Assist (LCA), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) and seven airbags.
Also Read: 2018 Kia Sportage (facelift) with diesel mild-hybrid powertrain officially revealed
The Kia Optima is unlikely to go on sale in India during the foreseeable future. Kia will foray into the market with the Kia Tusker (Hyundai Creta rival). Further ahead, reports say, the company will launch a sub-4 metre SUV. As for the bigger and more expensive models, rumour has it that the Kia Sportage and Kia Carnival are under consideration as customers are taking to large mainstream utility vehicles better than sedans. These two models could arrive at the Anantapur plant in Andhra Pradesh as CKD kits.
[Image Source: carwale]
