The 2011 Kia Optima was a head-turner at the latest New York Auto Show with its sleek lines and the corporate Kia nose, earning it the recognition as one of the best-looking cars at the show. Chief designer Peter Schreyer made the Optima’s lines subtler than the Hyundai Sonata.
By the looks of it, the Optima sedan will be positioned as the sportier member of the Hyundai-Kia midsize family. It’s probable that to extend the Optima line, a coupe version of the Optima (likely to be named the Kia Optima Koup) will be produced. Insider sources say that Kia is working on an Optima coupe that could be launched in late 2011. It’s quite easy to imagine the lines of this sedan translating well to a two-door body style. Sources also said that these renderings are quite close to the designs being considered for production. Kia is also expected to utilize both the direct-injected 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine (200hp) and the 274-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four in the Optima Coupe. Meanwhile, the turbo Optima Koup is likely to receive a lowered sport suspension, low-profile tires and a subtle rear-deck spoiler. However, a manual transmission on the 2.0T Kia Optima coupe isn’t part of the plan. Hyundai and Kia think that no one would really be against owning a six-speed automatic.
[source insideline | photos: theophilus chin]
Source: Car news, Car reviews, Spy shots