Photo: SB-Medien
The hunting game where the predator awaits its pray in the proximity of the latter’s water resources appears to never go out of fashion. This is precisely what happened with the 2016 Kia Optima test car in the adjacent images, which was shot by our photographers while it stopped for a quick refuel.
The all-new Optima prototype is currently out testing in extreme weather conditions in Scandinavia, with one of the prototypes even wearing a pair of rally-like extra lights on the radiator grille. Alas, the serious cold was also a good excuse for the pair of spied vehicles to keep their heavy winter coats on.
While this model will certainly be a hit on American soil, we’re not sure whether the demand over in Europe is enough to justify its presence there.
At the other end of the efficiency scale, we expect to find a plug-in hybrid version. We’ve already seen the hybrid tech at work on the Optima Hybrid, but this time the battery pack will be heftier and the electric motor will deliver about 100 hp, allowing for a decent EV mode range. A standard hybrid model will also be offered.
On the diesel front, the 2016 Optima will be one of the most advanced vehicles in the world. Kia has release a concept named Optima T-Hybrid at the Paris Motor Show last year, which mixed a 1.7-liter diesel engine using an electric supercharger, as well as a 15 hp electric motor and a 48-volt lead-carbon battery. The powertrain promises to boost output by 20 percent, while lowering emissions by the same percentage compared to a conventional 2.0-liter diesel, such as the ones used by the Optima’s rivals. Still, don’t expect to see this in production earlier than 2016.
As for the new Kia Optima itself, the vehicle is set to land in the first half of the current year.
Nonetheless, the hardware hiding under the hood is what really matters
Kia ’s US sales offensive is led by the Optima, so the South Korean automaker is preparing serious technical updates for the 2016 model. On the petrol front, the big news is a new two-liter T-GDI turbo unit delivering about 250 hp. We’ve already seen a similar mill in the 2015 Sonata Sport sedan, where the engine works with a six-speed automatic that offers paddle shifters. The model even comes with lowered suspension in order to keep the power in check.While this model will certainly be a hit on American soil, we’re not sure whether the demand over in Europe is enough to justify its presence there.
At the other end of the efficiency scale, we expect to find a plug-in hybrid version. We’ve already seen the hybrid tech at work on the Optima Hybrid, but this time the battery pack will be heftier and the electric motor will deliver about 100 hp, allowing for a decent EV mode range. A standard hybrid model will also be offered.
On the diesel front, the 2016 Optima will be one of the most advanced vehicles in the world. Kia has release a concept named Optima T-Hybrid at the Paris Motor Show last year, which mixed a 1.7-liter diesel engine using an electric supercharger, as well as a 15 hp electric motor and a 48-volt lead-carbon battery. The powertrain promises to boost output by 20 percent, while lowering emissions by the same percentage compared to a conventional 2.0-liter diesel, such as the ones used by the Optima’s rivals. Still, don’t expect to see this in production earlier than 2016.
As for the new Kia Optima itself, the vehicle is set to land in the first half of the current year.
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