Kia Motors Europe has today announced that a high-powered version of the all-new Kia Optima is in development.
The new Optima GT will be Kia’s first-ever high performance Optima in Europe when it goes on sale in 2016.
The Kia Optima GT is being shown for the first time today at the Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA), alongside the all-new Optima in European production specification. Set to introduce the Kia brand to those looking for a more emotive, performance-oriented drive, the Optima will be Kia’s second GT model, after the cee’d GT and pro_cee’d GT were introduced to the European market in 2013.
The Optima GT will boast a more athletic appearance than the standard Optima model – already one of the most distinctive, bold-looking cars in the D-segment. Previewed today as a prototype in Frankfurt, the production-ready Optima GT will feature a redesigned ‘tiger-nose’ grille, bold body styling, and a new wheel design.
Inside, the Optima GT will be based upon the same refined, high-quality interior found in standard versions of the all-new Optima, with a more dynamic intent in its execution, to leave drivers in no doubt as to the sporty character of the car.
The new Optima GT is currently in development as a collaborative effort between Kia’s global R&D centre in Namyang, Korea, and the company’s European R&D centre in Rüsselsheim, Germany. The result will be a sports sedan that matches the dynamic expectations of European drivers.
Ride, handling and performance will each be tuned to match the Optima GT’s more muscular appearance and dynamic brief, without compromising the refinement and comfortable ride of the more conventional models in the range
Engineered for European roads, the Optima GT will get its own unique suspension settings compared to standard models in the Optima range, and will be fitted with a new Electronically-Controlled Suspension system, to provide individualised damping force to each wheel. Larger disc brakes and a tailored version of Kia’s new rack-mounted motor-driven power steering (R-MDPS) will further improve the Optima GT’s dynamic performance.
Offering a higher power output than other models in the range, the Optima GT will be powered by a 2.0-litre T-GDI (turbocharged gasoline direct injection) engine.
Further technical details of the Optima GT will be announced closer to the car’s European launch.
At a Glance.
– Shown for the first time at 2015 Frankfurt International Motor Show
– Unique suspension and chassis, and 2.0-litre T-GDI engine
– Technical details to be announced closer to launch in 2016
– All-new Kia Optima range on-sale in Europe in Q4 2015
