New Kia Optima Sportswagon, combining the best of a saloon with the versatility of an estate

New Kia Optima Sportswagon

Kia has long been showing the design lines it wanted to bring to its cars. With the SPORTSPACE prototype of 2015, presented at the Geneva Motor Show of 2015, they previewed what would become the Kia Optima Sportswagon, which this final result draws its inspiration from. With the Sportswagon variant, the Kia Optima range offers a broad set of possibilities tailored to each customer’s needs.

It retains the powerful, striking and elegant design language of the saloon, adding a larger-volume rear overhang that reveals the silhouette of an estate. The Sportswagon keeps the same width (1,860 mm) and length as the saloon (4,855 mm), but grows 5 mm in height (to 1,470 mm) with new roof rails. The rear bumper houses an oval-shaped exhaust outlet and a diffuser that gives it a sporty look.

Practicality is one of its strongest qualities: besides a spacious cabin for five occupants, the luggage capacity is notable. It offers a cargo volume of 552 litres (VDA) behind the second row of seats. The rear bench folds in a 40:20:40 split, allowing long items such as skis or snowboards to be carried in the central section while two passengers sit comfortably in the side seats. The boot also features a compartment for the flexible cover located under the boot floor next to the loading lip.

New Kia Optima Sportswagon

The Optima Sportswagon is equipped with the new rack-mounted electric power steering (R-MDPS), which provides better feel and a faster, more linear response at the wheel. The suspension is another important aspect inherited from the saloon, though adapted to the Sportswagon body. It provides comfort and composure, and an optional electronic suspension system with internal valves (ECS) is also available, which adjusts the damping to a sport or soft setting for greater comfort. The driver can also choose between “sport” and “normal” modes.

Equipped with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)Available from the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) developed by the DRIVE WISE division. The VSM system of Kia (Vehicle Stability Management) comes as standard and ensures stability under braking and in corners by managing Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and electric power steering assistance if a loss of traction is detected.

In terms of infotainment, it is equipped with KIA’s latest audio-video navigation system (AVN) and can feature a touchscreen that can be 7″ or 8″. Other features include Android Auto, compatible with Android 5.0 (Lollipop) or later, and Apple CarPlay for an iPhone 5 or later models. Both systems can be operated by voice control and allow the driver to keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel at all times. Also included are the Advanced Smart Cruise Control (SCC), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), High Beam Assist (HBA), Speed Limit Information Function (SLIF), Blind Spot Detection (BSD) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA).

Interior of the New Kia Optima Sportswagon

One of the new features is the AEB system, which consists of a short-range radar and a long-range one capable of detecting other vehicles and pedestrians from a greater distance. When the radar and camera simultaneously detect a possible collision, the car first alerts the driver with visual and audible warnings, applying autonomous emergency braking if necessary.

It introduces the AEB system with City and Urban modes as a novelty.In “City” mode, the AEB scans the road to locate parked vehicles, helping to avoid or mitigate the effects of a frontal collision when the Optima is moving at speeds between 8 and 60 km/h. The “Urban” mode detects potential collisions with other moving vehicles, with the AEB operating at speeds between 8 and 80 km/h relative to the speed of the Optima Sportswagon and the vehicle ahead.

In terms of engines, the Optima Sportswagon will feature the 1.7 CRDi diesel engine producing 141 CV, which can be combined with a six-speed manual gearbox or the new seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. For the GT versions, the new 2.0 T-GDI GT petrol engine producing 245 CV will be available, paired with a six-speed automatic gearbox.

Source | Kia