Kia: K5/Optima News
09-14-2005, 05:50 PM
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Kia: K5/Optima News
Originally Posted by Edmunds
http://www.edmunds.com/news/autoshow.....leftnav.23.*
What Is It?
2006 Kia Optima
What's Special About It?
Guess what the world's fastest-growing car company is (based on year-over-year rate of sales)? If you guessed Kia, then you need a life. Either that or you were at Kia's Frankfurt show press conference. The Korean automaker called the press together to unveil its newest Magentis front-drive sedan. In the U.S., we call it the second-generation Optima.
The new car is wider, longer and taller than the model it replaces. And while the Earth isn't going to tremble when this Optima goes by (the styling is solid, but not earthshaking or risky), the Kia does have a lot going for it, including lots of interior room, a bigger trunk, and a passel of safety features like front, side and side curtain airbags.
In Europe, Magentis buyers will have a choice of three engines: 2.0-liter four and 2.7-liter V6 gasoline units (rated at 146 and 195 horsepower), and a 142-hp, 2.0-liter diesel. In the U.S., Optima buyers get to choose between the two petrol-burning engines, with the four connected to a four-speed automatic transmission and the six channeled through a six-speed automatic.
Kia claims that the new car offers "high quality and high value" to the midsize sedan buyer, and the Magentis/Optima that we climbed around in on the Frankfurt show stand promised plenty of both if Kia can keep the price in line with the current Optima's pricing. We were amazed at how much legroom the rear seats offered up (headroom was OK for the class). And the level of quality in the upscale interior seemed perfectly appropriate for the world's fastest-growing car company. The 2006 Kia Optima goes on sale in North America early next year.
What's Edmunds' Take?
The Koreans have officially put Honda and Toyota on notice. If the Optima drives as well as it presents itself, we've got a horse race. — Richard Homan
What Is It?
2006 Kia Optima
What's Special About It?
Guess what the world's fastest-growing car company is (based on year-over-year rate of sales)? If you guessed Kia, then you need a life. Either that or you were at Kia's Frankfurt show press conference. The Korean automaker called the press together to unveil its newest Magentis front-drive sedan. In the U.S., we call it the second-generation Optima.
The new car is wider, longer and taller than the model it replaces. And while the Earth isn't going to tremble when this Optima goes by (the styling is solid, but not earthshaking or risky), the Kia does have a lot going for it, including lots of interior room, a bigger trunk, and a passel of safety features like front, side and side curtain airbags.
In Europe, Magentis buyers will have a choice of three engines: 2.0-liter four and 2.7-liter V6 gasoline units (rated at 146 and 195 horsepower), and a 142-hp, 2.0-liter diesel. In the U.S., Optima buyers get to choose between the two petrol-burning engines, with the four connected to a four-speed automatic transmission and the six channeled through a six-speed automatic.
Kia claims that the new car offers "high quality and high value" to the midsize sedan buyer, and the Magentis/Optima that we climbed around in on the Frankfurt show stand promised plenty of both if Kia can keep the price in line with the current Optima's pricing. We were amazed at how much legroom the rear seats offered up (headroom was OK for the class). And the level of quality in the upscale interior seemed perfectly appropriate for the world's fastest-growing car company. The 2006 Kia Optima goes on sale in North America early next year.
What's Edmunds' Take?
The Koreans have officially put Honda and Toyota on notice. If the Optima drives as well as it presents itself, we've got a horse race. — Richard Homan
09-15-2005, 02:05 PM
#5
hail to the victors
Originally Posted by DownUnder
Looks pretty good from here, the front kinda resembles the Q45's nose and pre-'04 LS430's headlights.
yeah, i was thinkin about Q45 too
09-15-2005, 08:06 PM
#7
Originally Posted by TypeSDriver
Look's like a f'ing 4X4 to me!
I saw a new Sonata in a parking lot next to an Accord and the Sonata had quite more ground clearance. I had no idea it was that high off of the ground, and I don't know why.
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09-16-2005, 07:21 PM
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It's a great design. Mainly because it's safe and time tested. The front nose and lamps are off of the Q. The rear looks good to me, period, no matter what badge is on the the lid. The only thing it really needs is a little more detail. With the all the praise the Sonata gets, this will probably do well.
09-17-2005, 02:14 AM
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Originally Posted by PenguinQX
^^ First thing I noticed when I saw an ad on TV for it was: holy crap, it's an old accord!
on the TV ad already?
09-17-2005, 10:20 PM
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Originally Posted by PenguinQX
^^ First thing I noticed when I saw an ad on TV for it was: holy crap, it's an old accord!
at least kia is stepping it up a bit.
01-11-2006, 09:55 PM
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Kia Optima News
New Optima Revealed - - Source: The Car Connection
Kia also used its Detroit press conference to introduce the new 2006.5 Kia Optima sedan. The new Optima rides on a new platform shared with the new Hyundai Sonata, with a longer wheelbase and wider track than the car it replaces, with more interior space, more power, and better fuel economy.
The Optima now has more interior than most of its mid-size competitors, including the Accord, Camry, Altima, Malibu , and Fusion, Kia says. Trunk space has increased by ten percent over the previous Optima.
Power is provided by a new 161-hp, 2.4-liter four, with a 185-hp, 2.7-liter V-6 optional. A five-speed manual is standard with the four-cylinder model, with a five-speed automatic optional on the four and standard on the V-6. Front and rear anti-roll bars are standard for improved handling.
Six airbags-including full-length curtain bags-are standard on the Optima, as are active front headrests and a tire-pressure monitoring system. Anti-lock brakes will be optional, as is stability control and Brake Assist.
An available Appearance Package option includes larger wheels, aluminum trim inside, and other appearance upgrades, and combined with the EX model the package includes sporty black trim accents and leather seats.
The Optima will begin arriving at showrooms later this spring. -Bengt Halvorson
The Optima now has more interior than most of its mid-size competitors, including the Accord, Camry, Altima, Malibu , and Fusion, Kia says. Trunk space has increased by ten percent over the previous Optima.
Power is provided by a new 161-hp, 2.4-liter four, with a 185-hp, 2.7-liter V-6 optional. A five-speed manual is standard with the four-cylinder model, with a five-speed automatic optional on the four and standard on the V-6. Front and rear anti-roll bars are standard for improved handling.
Six airbags-including full-length curtain bags-are standard on the Optima, as are active front headrests and a tire-pressure monitoring system. Anti-lock brakes will be optional, as is stability control and Brake Assist.
An available Appearance Package option includes larger wheels, aluminum trim inside, and other appearance upgrades, and combined with the EX model the package includes sporty black trim accents and leather seats.
The Optima will begin arriving at showrooms later this spring. -Bengt Halvorson
01-12-2006, 12:10 AM
#19
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Bears a resemblance to the old Lexus IS300 for some reason to me...
01-12-2006, 12:50 AM
#20
woooo!!
Originally Posted by Yumchah
Bears a resemblance to the old Lexus IS300 for some reason to me...
01-12-2006, 12:52 PM
#22
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Other pics here
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...ghlight=sonata
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...ghlight=sonata
01-12-2006, 01:34 PM
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Originally Posted by heyitsme
Other pics here
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...ghlight=sonata
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...ghlight=sonata
I looked for an Optima thread but it did not find any. Did you change the subject?
01-13-2006, 06:51 PM
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The titles are quite a coincidence, but can't edit a post after five minutes let alone 4months. I could only find it by searching for sonata within the post.
01-17-2006, 09:01 PM
#32
hail to the victors
Originally Posted by MSZ
This car looks a hell lot more better than that highly overrated Sonata, inside and out.
you must be joking. new sonata looks great. i see them more and more everyday.
01-17-2006, 10:35 PM
#33
Lola
Originally Posted by chungkopi
you must be joking. new sonata looks great. i see them more and more everyday.
Here in Toronto I see more IS250s than the new Sonata.
01-17-2006, 10:39 PM
#34
The new Sonata's are popping up like Camrys and Accords. I read one figure that said sales pretty much increased 2X for the Sonata.
Anyways, I get the same reaction for this Optima as I did for the Sonata. I see so many other influences, but at least the Sonata looks better. Which is why I don't think it'll sell as well as the Sonata. And the 2.7L V6 is pretty redundant with the 2.4L 4-cylinder. I don't know why its not getting the Sonata's 3.3L V6.
Anyways, I get the same reaction for this Optima as I did for the Sonata. I see so many other influences, but at least the Sonata looks better. Which is why I don't think it'll sell as well as the Sonata. And the 2.7L V6 is pretty redundant with the 2.4L 4-cylinder. I don't know why its not getting the Sonata's 3.3L V6.
01-18-2006, 12:22 AM
#35
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Don't much care for the interior, but the outside is pretty nice. There's something about the interior that reminds me of a last-gen Impala. Looks too plasticky.
01-18-2006, 12:59 PM
#36
hail to the victors
Originally Posted by MSZ
Optima looks better.
Here in Toronto I see more IS250s than the new Sonata.
Here in Toronto I see more IS250s than the new Sonata.
01-18-2006, 01:03 PM
#37
hail to the victors
Originally Posted by phile
The new Sonata's are popping up like Camrys and Accords. I read one figure that said sales pretty much increased 2X for the Sonata.
Anyways, I get the same reaction for this Optima as I did for the Sonata. I see so many other influences, but at least the Sonata looks better. Which is why I don't think it'll sell as well as the Sonata. And the 2.7L V6 is pretty redundant with the 2.4L 4-cylinder. I don't know why its not getting the Sonata's 3.3L V6.
Anyways, I get the same reaction for this Optima as I did for the Sonata. I see so many other influences, but at least the Sonata looks better. Which is why I don't think it'll sell as well as the Sonata. And the 2.7L V6 is pretty redundant with the 2.4L 4-cylinder. I don't know why its not getting the Sonata's 3.3L V6.
01-18-2006, 01:41 PM
#38
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Originally Posted by chungkopi
you must be joking. new sonata looks great. i see them more and more everyday.
I actually see more '06 Sonata's on the road then I do '06 Accords.
01-18-2006, 04:03 PM
#39
Lola
Lets put it this way:
The new Mustang have been selling like a hot cake, but not everyone here like its retro look.
I'm not saying Sonata won't sell, but I don't like the design at all.
The new Mustang have been selling like a hot cake, but not everyone here like its retro look.
I'm not saying Sonata won't sell, but I don't like the design at all.
