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31/10/2011
REVIEW By DEREK OGDEN
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It takes a lot to turn the head of a BMW owner. Take a female X5 driver, for example, who was only one of many who commented enthusiastically on the seductive lines of the new Kia Optima I had in my possession.
The European influence was there for all to see. The South Korean company’s chief design officer, Peter Schreyer, and his team have completely transformed the third generation Kia Optima, combining eye-catching style with efficiency and economy.
Like many of the latest European upper echelon automobiles – think Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz especially – the Kia Optima Platinum is a sedan in coupe clothing.
From Kia’s new signature radiator grille, bookended by projector-style headlamps, the car’s lines flow via a raked windscreen in a smooth arc across the cabin to a steep sloping rear window and subtle boot-lid spoiler.
Muscular flanks, flared wheel arches and twin chrome tipped exhausts go to emphasise Optima’s new-found dynamism.
The sleek styling isn’t just there for aesthetic purposes, it also goes towards producing improved aerodynamics – a drag co-efficient of Cd 0.29, down from 0.32 of the superseded model – aids performance and fuel economy.
The third generation Optima is longer, lower and wider than the previous model and features a wheelbase up by 75 mm, providing more space for passengers and parcels.
All owners of the new Optima have been presented with Kia’s Platinum Package as a standard feature. This includes unique front grille, new front and rear bumpers, sculpted side sills and rear boot-lid spoiler, LED daytime running lights and rear lamps, and aero blade windscreen wipers.
There are also high performance suspension dampers, big disc brakes with black callipers and machine finished 18-inch alloy wheels.
The list is rounded out by a three-piece panoramic glass roof – the front section tilting, the centre sliding and the rear fixed. A retractable blind helps shut out the sun’s rays when required.
Platinum standard, most notably, is accorded to artists in the recording industry with outstanding sales. It will be interesting to see if the Optima of that name can do likewise in the automotive field.
Optima is powered by the Kia Theta II gasoline direct injection (hence the GDI in the name tag) motor. The 2.4-litre unit puts out 148 kW of power at 6300rpm and 250 Nm of torque at 4250 revs. It is cleaner and more economical than the previous power plant, thanks to an enhanced induction system, continuously variable valve timing, upgraded electronics and low friction components.
The four-cylinder motor is hooked up to a dual mode six-speed automatic transmission. Urban travel is made easy with full automatic, while something a little more involving for the driver can be had in semi-automatic Sport mode using the centrally positioned shift lever or steering wheel-mounted paddles.
Kia’s Active Eco system can be brought into operation by means of a button on the steering wheel, electronically enabling the engine and transmission to make fuel savings of up to 7.5 per cent when high performance is not needed.
If the exterior is imbued with class, the inside story is much the same. Individual seats are wrapped in quality black leather.
Both front seats are electrically adjustable, the driver’s eight-way, passengers four, and incorporate heated cushion and backrest. The driver enjoys powered lumbar support, ventilation and two memory settings. Rear seats are 60/40 foldable making for added load space.
Cabin set-up is aircraft cockpit-style, with driving the focus, the centre instrument panel angled towards the driver, as are the centre console and arm rest. Instruments are clearly set out, making them easy to read and the floor-mounted accelerator pedal helps maintain foot and ankle comfort on long journeys.
Passengers in the back enjoy extra leg room thanks to the centre tunnel being lowered by 70 mm to 32 mm above the floor. The dual zone, temperature controlled air-con delivers ventilation to the back through separate vents.
Infinity has supplied a Premium sound system with six-disc changer, seven speakers, including a 4-inch centre speaker and 8-inch sub-woofer. Connections abound, with Bluetooth, MP3, USB and iPod on offer.
Active safety features include electronic stability control with traction control, brake assist and hill-start assist, the last preventing roll-back on inclines.
Passive safety measures include six airbags – dual front, dual side and full-length curtain – and active head restraints for front-seat passengers.
Guesswork is limited for reversing by rear-mounted audible warning sensors and a camera which transmits a 130 degree image to the interior mirror, so the driver can check the rear view and blind spot at the same time.
Daytime running lights, the accessory du jour for the well heeled automobile, puts the Optima Platinum in well credentialed company. Cornering lamps help the driver keep the kerb in view at night
Best fuel consumption during our test worked out at a mere 6.2 litres per 100 kilometres during highway cruising, though the worst was around twice that in stop/start city traffic.
Using the steering wheel-mounted paddles did not live up to the promise of a high performance sporty sedan, the gear shifts being soft and far from instantaneous, while, under sharp acceleration, the engine presented a few rough edges on the noise front which intruded markedly into the cabin.
However, space and comfort for occupants put the Optima Platinum up with best some of the much more expensive European models can come up with.
A deep boot, with its dark décor, disappears into the distance and has the capacity, at 505 litres, to swallow up sizeable pieces of luggage, golf bags, or groceries meant for a growing family.
PRICING AND SPECIFICATIONS
Kia Optima 2.4 GDI Platinum Sedan $36,990
(Prices do not include dealer or government charges)
FEATURES
ABS anti-skid braking with Electronic Brake Distribution, Brake Assist, Hill Start Assist
Electronic Stability Control with Traction Control System
Reverse Parking Sensors
Rear View Camera with mirror display and parking guidelines
LED daytime running lights
Dusk sensing automatic headlamps
Static cornering lamps
Speed sensing automatic door lock
Keyless entry and boot release
Smart key with push-button start
SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE:
Capacity: 2359cc
Configuration: In-line 4-cylinder
Head Design: DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 11.3:1
Bore/Stroke: 88.0mm x 97.0mm
Maximum Power: 148 kW @ 6300 rpm
Maximum Torque: 250 Nm @ 4250 rpm
DRIVELINE:
Manual Transmission: Not offered
Automatic Transmission: Six-speed with Sportsmatic mode with paddle shift
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4845 mm
Width: 1830 mm
Height: 1455 mm
Wheelbase: 2795 mm
Minimum ground clearance: 135 mm
Boot space: 505 litres
Turning Circle: 10.9 m
Kerb Mass: 1551 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 70 litres
Towing Ability: 650 kg (unbraked); refer to web site (braked)
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: McPherson strut (high-performance dampers)
Rear Suspension: Multi-link (high-performance dampers)
Front Brakes: Ventilated Disc (12.6 in)
Rear Brakes: Solid Disc (11.2 in)
Steering: Hydraulic power steering
Wheels: 18-inch alloy. Full-size spare
Tyres: 225/45 R18
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Type: Regular unleaded
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 7.9 L/100km, CO2 emissions 189g/km
GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse Rating: 6.5/10
Air Pollution Rating: 8.5/10
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Five years / unlimited kilometres |
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