ALLNEW 2011 KIA OPTIMA CRUISES DOWN THE CALIFORNIA COAST
Midsize Sedan Offers High Level of Style and Performance Features
- Three allnew powertrains, including turbo and Kia’s firstever hybrid offer increase in power and fuel economy
- Long list of premium amenities and technology features
IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 21, 2010 Kia Motors America (KMA) today officially launched the allnew 2011 Optima midsize sedan, first seen during the 2010 New York International Auto Show. Set to arrive in retail showrooms in early fall, the next generation Optima continues Kia’s designled transformation while revealing a completely new and stunning design language for Kia, highlighted by a dynamic and streamlined profile that conveys elegance and athletic confidence from every angle. Optima’s groundbreaking spirit continues under the hood and inside the cabin with the introduction of three new powertrains including the brand’s firstever hybrid in the U.S. (available in 2011) which is expected to deliver an increase in power and fuel economy while offering the latest technology features and luxury amenities.
Designed at Kia’s studios in Frankfurt and Irvine, Calif., the allnew Optima is longer, wider and lower than the vehicle it replaces and is based on an allnew midsize platform that allowed for distinctive dimensions and proportions while also providing a unique canvas for Kia’s global design team to pen a vehicle that stands apart from everything else in that segment.
The allnew Optima also employs engine management systems like direct injection and turbocharging to help bring performance to the brand without sacrificing fuel efficiency. Its smoothflowing lines speak of grace and style and offer a strong hint of European luxury.
Sleek and Streamlined Exterior
The 2011 Optima projects a highperformance yet elegant image with its unique silhouette and sleek stance that builds upon Kia Motors’ philosophy of creating high quality and dynamic vehicles that evoke passion. The striking face of Optima features Kia’s signature bold tabbed grille that is surrounded by projector headlamps. Longer, wider and lower than before, Optima’s coupelike profile is enhanced by a sweeping chrome arc that flows from the A through C pillars, a distinctive design motif that visually lowers the car further and enhances its proportions. Optima’s roofline connects with its high and pronounced shoulder line that leads to its sculpted flanks and extended wheelbase. Boldly flared wheel arches and a raked cabin create a sedan with a graceful muscular stance.
Available in three trims, LX, EX and SX, the 2011 Optima offers numerous standard features. The LX includes dual exhaust with chrome tips, solar glass, outside mirror turn signal indicators and 16inch steel wheels fitted with 205/65R16 tires. Upgrading to the EX offers standard fog lights, heated outside mirrors, exterior chrome/bodycolor door handles along with 17inch alloy wheels with P215/55/R17 tires, while the EX Turbo adds a unique front grille design. Moving up to the athletic SX adds HID headlights with auto leveling, LED rear combination lights, unique front grille design, rear lip spoiler, sculpted side sills, aero wiper blades, black front brake calipers and 18inch black machined finish alloy wheels furnished with P225/45R18 tires, achieving a true performance look.
Luxuriously Equipped Interior
From the moment the door opens, Optima presents an immediate sense of a driver’s car. The instrument panel is contoured toward the driver to suggest a cockpit feel with precise gauges and controls for an overall sport performance experience without sacrificing comfort or roominess. Paddle shifters behind the steering wheel convey that Optima is built for people who are passionate about cars. A high console with a short shifter adds to the cockpit perception while an available panoramic sunroof provides an openair feeling. Offering occupants both space and comfort with a number of standard convenience features, the sedan’s chic cabin unifies with the exterior design by welcoming its passengers with lean and ergonomic seat design and effective storage throughout. Modern standard features such as a sixway adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support, illuminated vanity mirrors with a ticket holder and a trip computer further expand the cabin’s luxurious qualities.
In addition to offering a comfortable cabin, impressive technology features also come standard throughout, including an AM/FM/CD/MP3/Sat audio system with SIRIUS Satellite Radio capabilities with three months complimentary service1 . Also standard on all trims are auxiliary and USB audio input jacks for connecting with MP3 players2 and Bluetooth3 wireless technology connectivity with steering wheelmounted voice activation controls to enable handsfree operation for compatible mobile phones.
Additional standard interior features include a tilt/telescopic steering column, power door locks, power windows, sun visor extension and a cooling glove box. Stylishly appointed cloth seats provide comfortable seating while a 60/40 splitfolding rear seat offers multiple seating and cargo arrangements depending on driver and passenger needs. Optima LX with automatic transmission features cruise control and an active system for optimal fuel efficient driving.
Optima EX comes wellequipped and offers premium standard features, including the UVO powered by Microsoft4 handsfree incar entertainment and communication system (expected to be available in select Kia models in the U.S. later this year) with rearview camera, push buttonstart ignition with smart key, dualzone automatic air conditioning with rear vents, a leatherwrapped steering wheel and shift knob, autodimming rear view mirror with Homelink5 and compass, auto light control, driver and front passenger automatic window up/down and an eightway power driver’s seat, illuminated glovebox, rear reading lamps, floor mats and chrome door handles. Moving to the EX Turbo also adds wood interior trim with metal accents for a more luxurious feel.
For consumers looking for even more sporty appeal, the Optima SX adds unique black leather woven seat trim, black interior trim with carbon insert film, Supervision meter cluster with LCD display, center fascia and meter housing, soft trim with French seams, steering wheel paddle shifters, metal pedals and lighted metal door scuff plates.
For those who seek the latest superior quality technology and convenience features for a modern and comfortable driving experience, the 2011 Optima offers a multitude of packages for each trim. The Convenience Package (LX A/T only), offers an eightway poweradjustable driver’s seat and autodimming rear view mirror with Homelink, while the LX Technology Package (with Convenience Package) adds the navigation system with backup camera, an eightspeaker Infinity6 premium audio system and dualzone automatic temperature control with rear ventilation.
Moving to the already wellequipped EX trim consumers can opt for the Premium Package, which adds the panoramic sunroof with highgloss Bpillar, fourway poweradjustable driver’s seat with driver’s seat memory, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, wood interior trim and center console and metalfinished shifter. The EX Technology Package (with Premium Package) adds the navigation system with backup camera and eightspeaker Infinity premium audio system.
AllNew Advanced Platform
The 2011 Optima is distinctive, right down to its allnew platform. Optima’s low, lean and powerful stance is assisted through its overall length of 190.7 inches, an increase of 1.7 inches over the previous model. Optima is built on a platform with an overall width of 72.1 inches and wheelbase of 110 inches, an increase of 2.9 inches, and has a low ground clearance of 5.3 inches for enhanced aerodynamics. Optima’s lightweight design uses hightensilestrength steel to enhance structural strength while also achieving high torsional stiffness, benefiting handling, ride quality and refinement. Additional measures to help ensure good noise vibration and harshness (NVH) reduction qualities are fitted throughout the Optima.
Built on a unibody frame, the frontwheeldrive Optima utilizes independent front and rear suspension systems. MacPherson struts are used in the front with a multilink layout in the rear and are both joined with coil springs and front antiroll bars to engage drivers with responsive handling and provide the utmost comfort whether the road is smooth or less than ideal.
ClassLeading Efficient and Powerful Engines
The 2011 Optima is available in three allnew and fuelefficient Theta II powerplants, a 2.4liter GDI fourcylinder, a 2.0liter GDI turbo or a 2.4liter hybrid engine. The 2.4liter GDI engine produces 200 horsepower7 and upgrading to the available 2.0liter turbo GDI engine (EX Turbo and SX models) delivers V6type power with a fourcylinder engine that produces 274 horsepower, while mated to a sixspeed automatic transmission. This represents Kia’s first application of GDI technology, while a 2.4liter hybrid Optima will be introduced in 2011. All automatics feature Sportmatic clutchless shifting. A single sixspeed manual transmission is available only with the LX fourcylinder model.
In addition to impressive performance, both engines also offer consumerfriendly fuel economy. The 2.4liter fourcylinder posts 24/35 mpg (city/highway) when mated to the manual transmission and 24/34 mpg when coupled with the automatic transmission, while the 2.0liter turbo GDI offers 22/34 mpg, only available with the automatic transmission.
SafetyMinded
The 2011 Optima is equipped with a high level of standard safety features, as is the rest of the Kia lineup. This includes six airbags (dual advanced front and frontseat mounted side as well as fulllength side curtain), front active headrests, sideimpact door beams, heightadjustable front seatbelts with pretensioners, threepoint seatbelts for all seating positions, Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) and a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). Fourwheel antilock brakes (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), a Traction Control System (TCS), a Brake Assist System (BAS) and Hill Assist Control (HAC) also are standard.
Competitive Warranty
The 2011 Optima is covered by KMA’s warranty program, which offers unprecedented consumer protection. Included in this program are a 10year/100,000mile limited powertrain warranty, a fiveyear/60,000mile limited basic warranty and a fiveyear/100,000mile antiperforation warranty. A fiveyear/60,000mile roadside assistance plan also is part of the vehicle coverage.
Kia Motors America in 2010
Kia Motors is in the midst of a dramatic, designled transformation, which has been delivering dynamically styled vehicles in several important segments at exactly the right time, contributing to the brand’s continued gains in U.S. market share. With three new vehicle introductions and several other key initiatives planned for 2010, Kia is poised to continue its momentum and will continue to build the brand through design innovation, quality, value, safety features and with new technology such as the UVO powered by Microsoft advanced handsfree incar communication and entertainment system (expected to be available in select Kia models in the U.S. later this year). The launches of the allnew 2011 Sorento CUV, the first vehicle to be assembled8 at Kia’s first U.S.based manufacturing facilities in West Point, Georgia, and allnew 2011 Sportage compact CUV, further enhance the lineup, and are both available in retail showrooms.
About Kia Motors America
Kia Motors America (KMA) is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 700 dealers throughout the United States. For 2009, KMA recorded its 15th consecutive year of increased U.S. market share and recently achieved its best quarter of sales ever. Kia Motors subscribes to a philosophy of building high value, high quality, safe and dynamic vehicles. Kia Motors prides itself on producing vehicles that are exciting and enabling and evoke the Kia tagline “The Power to Surprise.”
Kia Motors America is the Official Automotive Partner of the NBA. Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle lineup is available at its Web site www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.
1 SIRIUS, XM and all related marks and logos are trademarks of SIRIUS XM Radio Inc. and its subsidiaries. SIRIUS Radio requires a subscription, sold separately after 3month trial subscription included with vehicle purchase. Prices and programming are provided by SIRIUS and are subject to change. Subscriptions governed by SIRIUS Terms Conditions available at sirius.com. SIRIUS Radio U.S. service available only to those at least 18 years of age in the 48 contiguous United States, D.C. and Puerto Rico (with coverage limitations).
2 Optional Kia accessory cable required for iPod mobile digital device connectivity; both sold separately. iPod is a registered trademark of Apple, Inc.
3 The Bluetooth word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Kia is under license.
4 Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
5 HomeLink is a registered trademark of Johnson Controls, Inc.
6 Infinity is a registered trademark of Harman International Industries, Incorporated.
7 ULEVII emissions
8 The 2011 Sorento is assembled at the Kia U.S. plant (Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc.) with U.S. and globally sourced parts.