Kia Optima - Korean automaker sedan Kia Motors. Until 2010 in the Russian market the car had the name Magentis. Since 2010, the car is called Kia Optima, except for South Korea, China and Indonesia (there Kia K5) and Malaysia (Kia Optima K5). The car debuted in 2010 at the International Auto Show in New York. Created on the same platform with Hyundai Sonata and belongs to the middle class D.
Futuristic design is the work of Peter Schreier. The exterior is fully consistent with the new corporate identity of the brand. The aggressive grille, made in the Schreyer Line concept and a dynamic profile resembling a coupe, looks very modern and harmonious. High, pronounced shoulder line, embossed sidewalls and wheel arches create a sedan that looks graceful and athletic. From above, the profile of the car is outlined by a chrome arc going from the front pillars to the rear. This design technique visually makes the body more squat. The label from the grille has moved to the hood, and the hood itself has become more prominent.
On the front wings appeared "gills" false air intakes. The shape of the headlights has changed (stripes of daytime running lights have been added) and rear lights. For different markets Optima offers different engine options. Thus, in Europe and Central Asia, three engines are available: 1.7 liter diesel with a capacity of 134 horsepower, and two petrol engines - 2.0 and 2.4 liter, giving out 163 and 178 “horses”, respectively.
In the Russian market, only two Theta II gasoline engines with a volume of 2 liters (150 hp.) And 2.4 l (180 hp.) Are available. For the North American and Australian market, the manufacturer equips the Optima with two petrol engines - a 2.0 liter turbocharged engine, developing a capacity of 274 horsepower, and a 2.4 liter capacity of 200 "horses." All engines are paired with a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission. All Kia Optima models with a 6-speed automatic transmission are equipped with the new Active ECO system.
In cases where maximum dynamics are not required, using this system, it is possible to optimize the setting of the engine and transmission control systems, which will provide fuel savings of up to 9.1% (for the 2.0 l engine) and 7.5% (for the engine 2, 4 l). 2011 was marked by the launch of the Kia Optima Hybrid, a hybrid car that can work both in electric mode and in combined gas-electric, and at any speed, which made it possible to achieve significant fuel savings and a significant reduction of harmful emissions into the atmosphere. The European Optima Hybrid is equipped with a 2.0 liter gasoline engine instead of the 2.4 liter, which is used in the model for the North American market.
The cardinal transformation also affected the Optima salon. It has become more presentable, the quality of trim and seat upholstery has improved. The driver and front passenger seats received pronounced lateral support, and the back sofa is divided into seats for passengers. In Optima, the driver’s workplace is distinctly stylistically separated - the air conditioning ducts turned towards him, the radio tape recorder and the air conditioning / climate control controls, even the central tunnel, or rather its part where the gearshift lever is located, is turned to the driver.
The wide front armrest not only serves as a support for the driver’s right hand, but also serves as a place to store all sorts of small things that do not fit in the glove box. The devices are hidden in deep wells, and on the steering wheel there are a lot of buttons to control various systems of the car. Kia Optima is presented in four levels of complete sets (Comfort, Luxe, Prestige, Premium). Already in the basic configuration Kia Optima has a rich equipment. By car, options such as LED daytime running lights (LED DRL), dual-zone climate control and electric folding side mirrors are available.
Depending on the vehicle, the car offers xenon headlights with automatic tilt adjustment, heated steering wheel and rear seats, Infinity audio system, navigation system and rear view camera, electric parking brake, driver seat ventilation, panoramic roof and electric sunroof. Already in standard, the Optima is equipped with an effective security system which includes six airbags, active front-seat head restraints, impact-resistant beams in the doors, a LATCH child seat anchorage system and a TPMS tire pressure monitoring system.
Depending on the market, anti-lock braking system (ABS), Electronic Stability Control Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TCS), Brake Assist System will be offered as standard or additional options. (BAS) and Hill Start Assist System (HAC) start-up assistance system. Front mounted compact and lightweight suspension type McPherson. It is equipped with springs with a displaced axle and lateral load, reducing friction and providing excellent control and ride quality. Behind it stands a new fully independent multi-link suspension. To effectively distribute the load, the rear suspension consists of detached dampers and coil springs.
The geometry and tuning of both hangers are optimized in such a way as to ensure maximum grip. The new KIA Optima 2014 model year was first shown in New York at the 2013 Motor Show. Sedan received a number of technical improvements, updated appearance and interior design, as well as new security systems. For the restyling of the car was responsible design studio Kia in Frankfurt. The appearance of the novelty has changed, especially in the front of the car, but it remains recognizable.
Modest changes affected the bumpers, grille and lighting fixtures. The easiest version of the restyled version is to recognize the headlamps - they are integrated in a string of LED daytime running lights. Fog is now four-point and also LED.
The design of the bumper varies, depending on the configuration. For example, with a sport package a chrome trim for the lower air intake appears, in the standard - just a mesh. The trunk lid sharpened, it is now instead of a spoiler. But the main thing behind is the new taillights with LEDs. Compared with the previous version, the Kia Optima 2014 has become a bit more spacious. So, vehicle wheelbase increased by 75 mm. For the exterior color of the body, you can choose one of eight colors, including five metallic and two pearlescent, and new items among the color palette - white “Clear White” and blue “Smoky Blue”.
The salon received a 4.3-inch display on the dashboard and an 8-inch touch screen on the central panel, which is responsible for multimedia and navigation system. New 3-spoke steering wheel and other design of the control panel. In particular, a separate twist is now in charge of tuning the stations, which is in line with the volume control. There was a start-stop button. Special attention should be paid to new, more comfortable chairs of a modified form. Koreans not only improved the lateral support, but also the seat cushions provided more pronounced relief in the popliteal area. And yet, previously deprived front passenger added ventilation function.
Just a few words about soundproofing. Against the background of the dorestayling variant, the noise level decreased by 3.3 dB. And to achieve this, the manufacturer did a lot of things. For example, as a cover for the rear wheel arches used seamless fiber storage. In addition, additional sealing materials are used when attaching the dashboard and machining the engine shield. A noise absorbing damper is installed on the rear sub-frame. There are 4 configuration options: LX, EX, SX and SX-Limited. Already in the basic configuration LX offers: sun glasses, heated mirrors, a system for tracking blind spots Blind Spot Detection, chrome elements and 16-inch rims.
The EX equipment version has one size larger wheels, a driver's seat with 8 electric adjustments and an upholstery made of high-quality leather. The SX is available on 18-inch wheels with 225/45 tires, and is distinguished by slightly different fog lamps. SX-Limited is distinguished by red brake calipers, chrome moldings on the thresholds, chrome rims, Nappa-leather in the upholstery and electronic parking brake. The power units of the car differ in performance and reliability. In Russia, the updated Optima is available with two power units - with a 2-liter gasoline engine producing 150 hp.
or a four-cylinder 2.4 liter Theta II GDI with direct fuel injection capacity of 180 hp The first engine is paired with both a six-speed manual and an automatic transmission. The most powerful unit works only with the "automatic". Optima 2014 is equipped with a special system of fuel economy Active ECO. In the case when the driver does not need high dynamics, the car can be transferred to economy mode. When it is turned on, the settings of the engine and transmission control systems are optimized. This provides fuel savings of 9% for a 2-liter engine and 7.5% for a 2.4-liter engine.
Sedan got a premium security system. On the car are installed front and side airbags for the driver and rear passengers. As well as special curtain airbags, which stop the scattered fragments from the side windows in a side collision.
