KIA Optima was released in Nigeria
According to Kia marketing manager, Melissa Lewis, the Optima, which is being described as a car for the future, is packed with new technologies, which has endeared the car to numerous customers across the globe. She said the fabulous look of the car has made it to be very competitive in the market, adding that Kia would bring the best possible standard to its customers in Nigeria.
She explained that the Optima is designed by Peter Schreyer, the man behind Kia’s current design-language, and features the strongest interpretation yet of Kia’s trademark bow-tie grille, bookended by large HID headlamp clusters. She noted that the Optima’s sheet metal, which is built atop an all-new platform, is all new, and stretches over a wheelbase that’s 75mm longer than the outgoing Magentis and that It is also wider and lower than the Magentis by 25mm in each dimension.
She explained that LED daytime running lamps are mounted above the front fog lights and give the Optima a distinctive appearance, while an 18-inch alloys are standard on the Optima Platinum, as well as a panoramic glass sunroof.
She also noted that a boot lip spoiler is standard on the car, noting that the exhaust terminates into two chrome-finished tips.
On the interior design of the Optima, she said the driver-focused interior blends a sporty feel with a dash of luxury, explaining that the car is equipped with a steel-faced sports pedals; a leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters, leather upholstery and faux woodgrain trim.
She said both front seats are power adjustable and heated, while the central tunnel has been dramatically lowered to improve rear legroom, also explaining that the boot space can accommodate 505 litres of luggage, expanding with the 60-40 split rear seat backs folded.
She said the Optima Platinum is equipped with standard dual-zone climate control; dusk-sensing HID headlamps, cruise control, heated and power adjustable front seats, reverse parking sensors, a reversing camera, a seven-speaker premium audio system with USB input and iPod compatibility and a panoramic sunroof.
The car also has a Keyless entry and a push-button starter device.
On safety in the new car, the marketing manager said passive safety equipment consists of front pretensioning seatbelts; active front headrests and six airbags (front, front side and curtain), while
ABS, EBD, brake assist, traction control and stability control make up the Optima’s active safety suite.
She explained that only one mechanical specification is offered in the 2011 Optima, a 2.0 litre direct-injected petrol four paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, noting that
the engine produces 148kW at 6300rpm and 250Nm of torque at 4250rpm, noting that Kia claims the 0-100km/h sprint is done away with in 9.0 seconds, while average fuel economy is a claimed 7.9 l/100km.
She said a six speed automatic takes drive to the front wheels, and features a tiptronic shifter and wheel-mounted paddles to enable manual selection of gears, which she noted was developed by parent company Hyundai, saying the Kia Optima’s automatic is more efficient and lighter than older-tech five-speed autos.
She said the suspension is a Macpherson strut front and multi-link rear setup, while the steering is hydraulically assisted, and disc brakes fitted to each wheel.
She also noted that the new Optima, which is the third generation, will be a game changer in the mid-size sedan market with class-leading product competitiveness and unique characteristics
She explained that through a market analysis of how the Optima could distinguish itself from its competitors, Kia came up with the “high performance sporty sedan” product concept after taking into consideration market trends and Kia’s brand identity, adding that the Optima’s product concept is comprised of four key sales points, which she said include stand out styling; class leading performance, mainstreams dimensions, and advanced high-tech features.
She also noted that after an analysis of the All-new Optima acceptors and characteristics of major D1-segment customers, the target customer of the all-new Optima differs by region, noting that in the Middle East and Africa, the car is targeted at customers between the ages of 20 and 30 while it is targeted at customers between the ages of 30 and 40 in other regions, explaining that target customers have similar characteristics and views on styling and the importance of up-to-date technology.
