Kia Optima
Encyclopedia
The Kia Optima is a mid-size four-door sedan manufactured by Kia Motors
since 2000 and marketed globally through various nameplate
s. First generation cars were mostly marketed as the Optima, although the Kia Magentis name was used in Europe and Canada when sales began there in 2002. For the second generation models, Kia used the Kia Lotze & Kia K5 name for the South Korean market, and the Magentis name globally, except in the United States and Malaysia where the Optima name was retained. The Optima name is now going to be used for all markets except China, where they will use the South Korean market name.
variant of the Hyundai Sonata
, differing only from the Sonata in minor exterior styling details and equipment content.
In 2010, Subaru
started a viral marketing
campaign using a 2001-2002 Kia Optima dressed up as the "2011 Mediocrity", in order to "promote" a generic
mid-size car with nothing special about it. It is being used in comparison to Subaru's real mid-size offering, the Subaru Legacy
. All of the Kia badges were removed from the "2011 Mediocrity".
for Canada. The grille was redesigned for the United States in 2003 (2004 model year) to feature the Kia badge, and the headlamps were restyled for 2004 (2005 model year).
donor vehicle than the previous model. Unlike the previous Optima though, this vehicle uses a global platform, unique to Kia, designated "MG". The car continues to be built in South Korea
and shares its 2.4 litre inline-four engine, five-speed Sportmatic automatic
or five-speed manual transmission
with the Sonata.
The Optima received a crash test rating of five stars from the NHTSA
, and four stars from EuroNCAP
.
(as a 2009 model year). This update features new front-end styling and tail lamps. The design of the updated Optima was penned under the guidance of Peter Schreyer
, Kia's chief design officer, and also former chief designer for Audi
and Volkswagen
. In addition to the revised exterior, length is also slightly increased by roughly 70 millimetres (2.8 in) to approximate 4800 millimetres (189 in) long. There is also a new engine and the interior has also been revised. Main changes in the interior are a redesigned instrument cluster and a Sirius Satellite Radio
/AM/FM/MP3/CD with an auxiliary jack. In certain markets, the option of satellite navigation is offered.
The new Theta II
2.4 litre inline-four engine employs dual continuously variable valve timing
(CVVT) and a variable intake system (VIS) to increase power to 131 kW while returning improved fuel consumption over its predecessor. Torque is rated at 229 newton metres (168.9 ft·lbf) there is 2.0L for other markets middle east etc. a 2.0L 4cyl with 5 manual or 4 automatic gearbox with power 164 hp
at 6200 rpm and 197 newton metre torque takes it from 0–100 km/h(0-60 mph) in 9.2sec for manual and 10.1 for auto with top speed up to 208 kilometre per hour outside the US. The 2.7 litre V6 has few changes to the previous model, though power is increased to 144 kW, and torque to 249 newton metres (183.7 ft·lbf) with standard 5speed automatic takes it from 0-60 mi/h in 8.9sec with top speed up to 220 kilometre per hour. A five-speed manual transmission is standard in the base model, and a five-speed automatic is included with mid- and high-end levels (or as an option in the base model).
2010 models see the addition of a Proximity Key with Push-Button Start and paddle shifters on SX models.
, following the new design language featured on the Kia Forte
, Kia Sorento
, and upcoming Kia Sportage
and Kia Cadenza
— and using Kia's new corporate grille, known as the Tiger Nose, also designed by Schreyer. Lead designer of the TF in the team of Peter Schreyer and Miklos Kovacs was the Italian Davide Limongelli. For the first time, this model will be using the Optima name worldwide, where the Magentis name had been used previously.
As with its Hyundai Sonata
sibling, the Optima's lineup has been replaced with a universal GDI 2.4 liter 4-cylinder engine, either mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission
with Eco dash display, or to a 6-speed manual transmission
that is only standard on the LX model. Sales began in Fall 2010. The new K5 was released in the South Korean market on April 29, 2010.
The new Optima retains its trim lines of the base LX, upscale EX, and sporty SX models. Standard equipment include a slew of advanced safety features such as ESC
and ABS
brakes, as well as Sirius Satellite Radio, cooled glove box, iPod
connectivity, and handsfree Bluetooth
phone operation. EX model options include Kia's new UVO
infotainment system by Microsoft
, integrated backup camera, and Proximity Key with Push-Button Start. A panoramic moonroof, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats and a navigation system are also available. SX models add a rear spoiler, metal pedals, black hybrid metal and carbon insert trim, paddle shifters, and illuminated scuff plates.
A Hybrid model is predicted to arrive in June 2011 and a Turbo model has already been released. In addition, a wagon version will hit European markets, and two-door coupe version may arrive in the U.S. at a later date. The turbo model will have the same powertrain as the Hyundai Sonata 2.0T. The turbocharged model will have 274 hp and 269 lbft of torque in the North American model. The car is estimated to obtain 34 miles per US gallon on the highway.
Source:
, combining a 2.4-liter engine with a six-speed automatic transmission, and a 30kW
electric motor
and lightweight lithium polymer batteries to produce a full gasoline-electric hybrid
with an estimated 37 miles per US gallon (15.7 km/L) city and 39 miles per US gallon (16.6 km/L) highway. There are no apparent features that differentiate it from the Kia Optima except for a badge, different wheel discs and special Light Platinum Graphite paint color.
Kia Motors
Kia Motors , headquartered in Seoul, is South Korea's second-largest automobile manufacturer, following the Hyundai Motor Company, with sales of over 1.4 million vehicles in 2010...
since 2000 and marketed globally through various nameplate
Nameplate
A nameplate identifies and displays a person or product's name. Name plates are usually shaped as rectangles but are also seen in other shapes, sometimes taking on the shape of someone’s name...
s. First generation cars were mostly marketed as the Optima, although the Kia Magentis name was used in Europe and Canada when sales began there in 2002. For the second generation models, Kia used the Kia Lotze & Kia K5 name for the South Korean market, and the Magentis name globally, except in the United States and Malaysia where the Optima name was retained. The Optima name is now going to be used for all markets except China, where they will use the South Korean market name.
First generation (MS; 2000–2005)
From 2000-2005 Optimas were a rebadgedBadge engineering
Badge engineering is an ironic term that describes the rebadging of one product as another...
variant of the Hyundai Sonata
Hyundai Sonata
The Hyundai Sonata is a mid-size car/full-size car manufactured and marketed globally by Hyundai Motor Company. From the sixth generation onwards, it is known as the i45 in the Australian, Singaporean and New Zealand markets...
, differing only from the Sonata in minor exterior styling details and equipment content.
In 2010, Subaru
Subaru
; is the automobile manufacturing division of Japanese transportation conglomerate Fuji Heavy Industries .Subaru is internationally known for their use of the boxer engine layout popularized in cars by the Volkswagen Beetle and Porsche 911, in most of their vehicles above 1500 cc as well as...
started a viral marketing
Viral marketing
Viral marketing, viral advertising, or marketing buzz are buzzwords referring to marketing techniques that use pre-existing social networks to produce increases in brand awareness or to achieve other marketing objectives through self-replicating viral processes, analogous to the spread of viruses...
campaign using a 2001-2002 Kia Optima dressed up as the "2011 Mediocrity", in order to "promote" a generic
Generic brand
Generic brands of consumer products are distinguished by the absence of a brand name. It is often inaccurate to describe these products as "lacking a brand name", as they usually are branded, albeit with either the brand of the store in which they are sold or a lesser-known brand name which may...
mid-size car with nothing special about it. It is being used in comparison to Subaru's real mid-size offering, the Subaru Legacy
Subaru Legacy
The Subaru Legacy is a mid-size car built by the Japanese company Fuji Heavy Industries, and manufactured by its division Subaru since 1989, and is available as a sedan or wagon. Part of the original design goals for the Legacy model was to provide Subaru a vehicle in which they could compete in...
. All of the Kia badges were removed from the "2011 Mediocrity".
Update
The 2002 Optima received a minor update. The Optima Regal was a luxurious version of Kia Optima sold in South Korea. American models did not wear the Kia logo on the grille, but the Kia logo was used in the grilleGrille
A grille or grill is an opening of several slits side by side in a wall or metal sheet or other barrier, usually to let air or water enter and/or leave but keep larger objects including people and animals in or out.-Spelling:In the United States, "grille" is used to differentiate the automotive...
for Canada. The grille was redesigned for the United States in 2003 (2004 model year) to feature the Kia badge, and the headlamps were restyled for 2004 (2005 model year).
Total U.S. sales
| Calendar Year | Sales |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 97 |
| 2001 | 25,912 |
| 2002 | 26,793 |
| 2003 | 34,681 |
| 2004 | 53,492 |
| 2005 | 41,349 |
| 2006 | 38,408 |
Second generation (MG; 2005–2010)
The second generation Optima, known as the Kia Magentis globally except the United States and Malaysia, and as the Kia Lotze in South Korea, was launched in South Korea in November 2005. This generation differed further from the Hyundai SonataHyundai Sonata
The Hyundai Sonata is a mid-size car/full-size car manufactured and marketed globally by Hyundai Motor Company. From the sixth generation onwards, it is known as the i45 in the Australian, Singaporean and New Zealand markets...
donor vehicle than the previous model. Unlike the previous Optima though, this vehicle uses a global platform, unique to Kia, designated "MG". The car continues to be built in South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
and shares its 2.4 litre inline-four engine, five-speed Sportmatic automatic
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
or five-speed manual transmission
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
with the Sonata.
The Optima received a crash test rating of five stars from the NHTSA
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is an agency of the Executive Branch of the U.S. government, part of the Department of Transportation...
, and four stars from EuroNCAP
EuroNCAP
The European New Car Assessment Programme is a European car safety performance assessment programme based in Brussels and founded in 1997 by the Transport Research Laboratory for the UK Department for Transport and backed by several European governments.-History and activities:Euro NCAP is a...
.
Update
The Optima was revised and updated in 2008, debuting at the New York International Auto ShowNew York International Auto Show
The New York International Auto Show is an annual auto show held in New York City in late March or early April. It is usually held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. It usually opens on or just before Easter weekend and closes on the first Sunday after Easter...
(as a 2009 model year). This update features new front-end styling and tail lamps. The design of the updated Optima was penned under the guidance of Peter Schreyer
Peter Schreyer
Peter Schreyer is an automobile designer, widely known for his design contributions to the Audi TT and as the Chief Design Officer at Kia Motors ....
, Kia's chief design officer, and also former chief designer for Audi
Audi
Audi AG is a German automobile manufacturer, from supermini to crossover SUVs in various body styles and price ranges that are marketed under the Audi brand , positioned as the premium brand within the Volkswagen Group....
and Volkswagen
Volkswagen
Volkswagen is a German automobile manufacturer and is the original and biggest-selling marque of the Volkswagen Group, which now also owns the Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, SEAT, and Škoda marques and the truck manufacturer Scania.Volkswagen means "people's car" in German, where it is...
. In addition to the revised exterior, length is also slightly increased by roughly 70 millimetres (2.8 in) to approximate 4800 millimetres (189 in) long. There is also a new engine and the interior has also been revised. Main changes in the interior are a redesigned instrument cluster and a Sirius Satellite Radio
Sirius Satellite Radio
Sirius Satellite Radio is a satellite radio service operating in North America, owned by Sirius XM Radio.Headquartered in New York City, with smaller studios in Los Angeles and Memphis, Sirius was officially launched on July 1, 2002 and currently provides 69 streams of music and 65 streams of...
/AM/FM/MP3/CD with an auxiliary jack. In certain markets, the option of satellite navigation is offered.
The new Theta II
Hyundai Theta engine
The Hyundai Theta is a gasoline 4-cylinder automobile engine family. The third all-aluminum engine of Hyundai Motor Company debuted in the fourth-generation Hyundai Sonata sedan , which was unveiled in August 2004 in South Korea....
2.4 litre inline-four engine employs dual continuously variable valve timing
Variable valve timing
In internal combustion engines, variable valve timing , also known as Variable valve actuation , is a generalized term used to describe any mechanism or method that can alter the shape or timing of a valve lift event within an internal combustion engine...
(CVVT) and a variable intake system (VIS) to increase power to 131 kW while returning improved fuel consumption over its predecessor. Torque is rated at 229 newton metres (168.9 ft·lbf) there is 2.0L for other markets middle east etc. a 2.0L 4cyl with 5 manual or 4 automatic gearbox with power 164 hp
at 6200 rpm and 197 newton metre torque takes it from 0–100 km/h(0-60 mph) in 9.2sec for manual and 10.1 for auto with top speed up to 208 kilometre per hour outside the US. The 2.7 litre V6 has few changes to the previous model, though power is increased to 144 kW, and torque to 249 newton metres (183.7 ft·lbf) with standard 5speed automatic takes it from 0-60 mi/h in 8.9sec with top speed up to 220 kilometre per hour. A five-speed manual transmission is standard in the base model, and a five-speed automatic is included with mid- and high-end levels (or as an option in the base model).
2010 models see the addition of a Proximity Key with Push-Button Start and paddle shifters on SX models.
Third generation (TF; 2011)
The completely redesigned Optima, named the Kia K5 in the South Korean market, made its world debut at the 2010 New York Auto Show. It features a much sleeker, sportier profile designed by new Kia design chief Peter SchreyerPeter Schreyer
Peter Schreyer is an automobile designer, widely known for his design contributions to the Audi TT and as the Chief Design Officer at Kia Motors ....
, following the new design language featured on the Kia Forte
Kia Forte
The Kia Forte is a compact car manufactured by Kia Motors since mid-2008 to replace the Cerato, available in two-door coupe, four-door sedan, five-door hatchback variants...
, Kia Sorento
Kia Sorento
The Kia Sorento is a mid-size crossover SUV produced since 2002 by the South Korean automaker Kia Motors.- First generation :...
, and upcoming Kia Sportage
Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage is a compact crossover SUV built by the Korean automaker Kia Motors since July 1993.- First generation :...
and Kia Cadenza
Kia Cadenza
The Kia Cadenza, or Kia K7 in South Korea, is Kia's new full-size car to replace the Kia Opirus/Amanti. It is considered to be Kia's flagship vehicle....
— and using Kia's new corporate grille, known as the Tiger Nose, also designed by Schreyer. Lead designer of the TF in the team of Peter Schreyer and Miklos Kovacs was the Italian Davide Limongelli. For the first time, this model will be using the Optima name worldwide, where the Magentis name had been used previously.
As with its Hyundai Sonata
Hyundai Sonata
The Hyundai Sonata is a mid-size car/full-size car manufactured and marketed globally by Hyundai Motor Company. From the sixth generation onwards, it is known as the i45 in the Australian, Singaporean and New Zealand markets...
sibling, the Optima's lineup has been replaced with a universal GDI 2.4 liter 4-cylinder engine, either mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
with Eco dash display, or to a 6-speed manual transmission
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
that is only standard on the LX model. Sales began in Fall 2010. The new K5 was released in the South Korean market on April 29, 2010.
The new Optima retains its trim lines of the base LX, upscale EX, and sporty SX models. Standard equipment include a slew of advanced safety features such as ESC
ESC
-As an abbreviation:* Ecole Supérieure de Commerce, a business school in the French system of "Grandes Ecoles"* Edison State College* Edmonton Ski Club* Electronic stability control* Electronic Systems Center* Electronic speed control...
and ABS
Anti-lock braking system
An anti-lock braking system is a safety system that allows the wheels on a motor vehicle to continue interacting tractively with the road surface as directed by driver steering inputs while braking, preventing the wheels from locking up and therefore avoiding skidding.An ABS generally offers...
brakes, as well as Sirius Satellite Radio, cooled glove box, iPod
IPod
iPod is a line of portable media players created and marketed by Apple Inc. The product line-up currently consists of the hard drive-based iPod Classic, the touchscreen iPod Touch, the compact iPod Nano, and the ultra-compact iPod Shuffle...
connectivity, and handsfree Bluetooth
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a proprietary open wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices, creating personal area networks with high levels of security...
phone operation. EX model options include Kia's new UVO
Kia UVO
Kia UVO is an in-car infotainment system with advanced voice- and touch-activated features. Kia UVO, short for 'Your Voice,' provides simple and quick access to vehicle's multimedia and infotainment systems. It is much like Ford Sync and is developed by Microsoft and Kia and is be available on new...
infotainment system by Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
, integrated backup camera, and Proximity Key with Push-Button Start. A panoramic moonroof, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats and a navigation system are also available. SX models add a rear spoiler, metal pedals, black hybrid metal and carbon insert trim, paddle shifters, and illuminated scuff plates.
A Hybrid model is predicted to arrive in June 2011 and a Turbo model has already been released. In addition, a wagon version will hit European markets, and two-door coupe version may arrive in the U.S. at a later date. The turbo model will have the same powertrain as the Hyundai Sonata 2.0T. The turbocharged model will have 274 hp and 269 lbft of torque in the North American model. The car is estimated to obtain 34 miles per US gallon on the highway.
Engines
| Model | Engine type | Power, torque@rpm | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol engines | |||
| 2.0 MPI | 1998 cc I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... Theta II Hyundai Theta engine The Hyundai Theta is a gasoline 4-cylinder automobile engine family. The third all-aluminum engine of Hyundai Motor Company debuted in the fourth-generation Hyundai Sonata sedan , which was unveiled in August 2004 in South Korea.... |
165 PS, 20.2 kgm | Europe |
| 2.4 MPI | 2359 cc I4 Theta II | 180 PS, 20.2 kgm | Europe |
| 2.0L Turbo | 1998 cc I4 turbo Theta II | 274 hp@6000, 269 lbf.ft@1750 | North America |
| 2.4L GDI | 2359 cc I4 Theta II | 200 hp@6300, 186 lbf.ft@1750 | North America, Australia |
Source:
Hybrid version
The 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid was unveiled at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show, and was launched in the market in 2011. The Optima Hybrid uses the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid powertrainPowertrain
In a motor vehicle, the term powertrain or powerplant refers to the group of components that generate power and deliver it to the road surface, water, or air. This includes the engine, transmission, drive shafts, differentials, and the final drive...
, combining a 2.4-liter engine with a six-speed automatic transmission, and a 30kW
Kw
kw or KW may refer to:* Kuwait, ISO 3166-1 country code** .kw, the country code top level domain for Kuwait* Kilowatt* Self-ionization of water Kw* Cornish language's ISO 639 code* Kitchener–Waterloo, Ontario, Canada...
electric motor
Electric motor
An electric motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.Most electric motors operate through the interaction of magnetic fields and current-carrying conductors to generate force...
and lightweight lithium polymer batteries to produce a full gasoline-electric hybrid
Hybrid electric vehicle
A hybrid electric vehicle is a type of hybrid vehicle and electric vehicle which combines a conventional internal combustion engine propulsion system with an electric propulsion system. The presence of the electric powertrain is intended to achieve either better fuel economy than a conventional...
with an estimated 37 miles per US gallon (15.7 km/L) city and 39 miles per US gallon (16.6 km/L) highway. There are no apparent features that differentiate it from the Kia Optima except for a badge, different wheel discs and special Light Platinum Graphite paint color.