Kia Optima |
|---|
|
| Topic Navigation |
|---|
|
Wikipedia: Kia Optima
Page Sections History Photographs Documents Article Index |
History
The following section is an excerpt from Wikipedia's Kia Optima page on 29 April 2017, text available via the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
The Kia Optima is a mid-sized 4door sedan manufactured by Kia Motors since 2000 and marketed globally through various nameplates. First generation cars were mostly marketed as the Optima, although the Kia Magentis name was used in Europe and Canada when sales began there in 2002. For the second generation models, Kia used the Kia Lotze & Kia K5 name for the South Korean market, and the Magentis name globally, except in the United States, Canada, and Malaysia where the Optima name was retained. The Optima name is now going to be used for all markets except China, where they will also use the South Korean market name.
First generation (2000–2005)
From 2000–2005 Optimas were a rebadged variant of the Hyundai Sonata, differing only from the Sonata in minor exterior styling details and equipment content.
In Australia, the Optima was introduced in May 2001, offered only with a 2.5 L V6 engine, and choice of manual or automatic transmission. The updated Optima was offered with a new 2.7 L engine, 4-speed automatic (the manual was dropped), and features such as full leather interior and alloy wheels were made standard. Thanks in part to better marketing, sales increased to 41,289 units in 2005, an all-time high. The Optima was sold until 2006, when it was replaced by the Magentis.
Second generation (2005–2010)
The second generation Optima, known as the Kia Magentis globally except the United States and Malaysia, and as the Kia Lotze in South Korea, was launched in South Korea in November 2005. This generation differed further from the Hyundai Sonata donor vehicle than the previous model. Unlike the previous Optima though, this vehicle uses a global platform, unique to Kia, designated "MG". The car continues to be built in South Korea and shares its 2.4-litre inline-four engine, five-speed Sportmatic automatic or five-speed manual transmission with the Sonata.
The Optima was revised and updated in 2008, debuting at the New York International Auto Show (as a 2009 model year). This update features new front-end styling and tail lamps. In addition to the revised exterior, length is also slightly increased by roughly 70 millimetres (2.8 in) to approximately 4,800 mm (190 in) long. There is also a new engine and the interior has also been revised. Main changes in the interior are a redesigned instrument cluster and a Sirius Satellite Radio/AM/FM/MP3/CD with an auxiliary jack. In certain markets, the option of satellite navigation is offered.
Third generation (2010–2015)
The completely redesigned Optima, sharing the same platform as its sibling Hyundai i40, named the Kia K5 in the South Korean and China market, made its world debut at the 2010 New York Auto Show. It features a much sleeker, sportier profile designed by new Kia design chief Peter Schreyer, following the new design language featured on the Kia Forte, Kia Sorento, and upcoming Kia Sportage and Kia Cadenza — and using Kia's new corporate grille, known as the Tiger Nose, also designed by Schreyer. Lead designer of the TF in the team of Peter Schreyer and Miklos Kovacs was the Italian Davide Limongelli. For the first time, this model will be using the Optima name worldwide, where the Magentis name had been used previously.
As with its Hyundai Sonata sibling, the Optima's lineup has been replaced with a universal GDI 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine, either mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission with Eco dash display, or to a 6-speed manual transmission that is only standard on the LX model. Sales began in Fall 2010. The new K5 was released in the South Korean market on 29 April 2010.
Fourth generation (2015–present)
The 2016 Kia Optima went on-sale towards the end of 2015. It shares a platform with the 2015 Hyundai Sonata, and offers a new design, with new features and enhancements. As with the previous-generation Optima, the new model was designed by Kia's Chief of Design, Peter Schreyer, who was a previous designer for Volkswagen Group, AG, working mainly with their Audi division of luxury cars.
A plug-in hybrid variant was unveiled at the 2016 Chicago Auto Show. The Kia Optima PHEV shares the powertrain of the Hyundai Sonata PHEV, and like its sibling, it has a 9.8 kWh battery pack that delivers an all-electric range of 27 mi (43 km), but the Optima plug-in hybrid has a lower drag coefficient, which at 0.24 Cd is on par with the all-electric Tesla Model S. The Optima PHEV has an active grille, which automatically opens and closes at high and low speeds, contributing to reduce the Cd. The plug-in hybrid features a 50 kW electric motor and 2.0-liter “Nu” four-cylinder GDI engine, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
 |
Hip Cat Optima Meme Photo ©2015 Heidi Walczak View Hip Cat Optima Meme - 220KB View original Optima photo - 770KB |
 |
2013 Geneva International Motor Show Photo ©2013 Norbert Aepli, Switzerland This photograph is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license. View photo of Kia Optima Hybrid at the 2013 Geneva International Motor Show - 3.4MB |
 |
Custom Photo ©2017 Eli Walczak View photo of Custom Kia Optima - 2.3MB |
 |
Custom Photo ©2017 Eli Walczak View photo of Custom Kia Optima - 2.4MB |
 |
Custom Photo ©2017 Eli Walczak View photo of Custom Kia Optima - 2.4MB |
 |
Custom Photo ©2017 Eli Walczak View photo of Custom Kia Optima - 2.2MB |
| Date | Document Name & Details | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| October 2002 | On Site Side Air Bag Investigation / Vehicle to Vehicle 2002 Kia Optima National Highway Traffic Safety Administration |  PDF - 451KB - 17 pages |
| July 2005 | Remote Redesigned Air Bag Investigation 2004 Kia Optima National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 795KB - 12 pages |
| September 2007 | Calspan On-Site Child Safety Seat Crash Investigation Vehicle: 2006 Kia Optima National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 698KB - 24 pages |
| 22 July 2010 | Vehicle Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS 208, Occupant Crash Protection; FMVSS 212, Windshield Mounting; FMVSS 219, Windshield Intrustion (Partial); FMVSS 301, Fuel System Integrity 2009 Kia Optima Passenger Car National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 29.1MB - 339 pages |
| March 2011 | Optima (MG) A/T Shift Cable Inspection (SC088) Kia Motors NHTSA Recall 11V153000 | PDF - 211KB - 5 pages |
| 3 March 2011 | NHTSA Recall 11V153000 2006-2008 Kia Optima Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | Recall Page - 1 page |
| 3 March 2011 | Voluntary Safety Recall Campaign: 2006-2008 MY Kia Optima (MG) Automatic Transmission Shift Cable Inspection From: Robert Babcock, Hyundai-Kia America Technical Center To: Frank Borris, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA Recall 11V153000 | PDF - 337KB - 3 pages |
| 9 March 2011 | Automatic Transmission Shift Cable Inspection From: Jennifer Timian, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration To: Robert Babcock, Hyundai-Kia America Technical Center NHTSA Recall 11V153000 | PDF - 28KB - 3 pages |
| 23 March 2011 | Safety Recall Notice Kia Motors America, Inc. NHTSA Recall 11V153000 | PDF - 25KB - 2 pages |
| 5 April 2011 | Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS 201: Occupant Protection in Interior Impact, Upper Interior Head Impact Protection 2011 Kia Optima LX National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 7.9MB - 166 pages |
| 15 June 2011 | Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS 301R: Fuel System Integrity - Rear Impact 2011 Kia Optima National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 5.5MB - 59 pages |
| 28 June 2011 | Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS 214: Dynamic Side Impact Protection (Rigid Pole) 2011 Kia Optima LX 4-Dr Sedan National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 4.8MB - 116 pages |
| July 2011 | 2011 Q2 Kia NHTSA Recall 11V153000 | PDF - 12KB - 1 page |
| 19 October 2011 | 2011 Q3 Kia Motors America, Inc. NHTSA Recall 11V153000 | PDF - 28KB - 1 page |
| 10 November 2011 | Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS 126: Electronic Stability Control Systems 2011 Kia Optima National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 4.7MB - 65 pages |
| 26 January 2012 | 2011 Q4 Kia NHTSA Recall 11V153000 | PDF - 23KB - 1 page |
| 27 April 2012 | 2012 Q1 Kia Motors America, Inc. NHTSA Recall 11V153000 | PDF - 30KB - 1 page |
| 27 April 2012 | 2012 Q2 Kia Motors America, Inc. NHTSA Recall 11V153000 | PDF - 7KB - 1 page |
| 21 August 2012 | IMPORTANT – THIS IS A SECOND NOTICE Kia Motors America, Inc. NHTSA Recall 11V153000 | PDF - 25KB - 2 pages |
| 25 October 2012 | 2012 Q3 Kia Motors America, Inc. NHTSA Recall 11V153000 | PDF - 8KB - 1 page |
| May 2015 crash date | Special Crash Investigation On-Site Alleged Unintended Acceleration Crash Investigation Vehicle: 2008 Kia Optima National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 4.2MB - 43 pages |
| Date | Article | Author/Source |
|---|---|---|
| 28 January 2008 | Kia Optima Engine Mount Reduces Automobile Vibration | Anthony Fontanelle |
| 5 January 2012 | Briggs Kia Announces that the Kia Optima is Named “One of the Top Drives for 2012” | Briggs Kia |
| 7 February 2013 | Superman-Inspired Kia Optima Hybrid Soars Into Chicago For Auto Show Debut  | Kia Motors America |
