What is it?
Kia Optima SE-L Concept
What's special about it?
The Optima SE-L Concept is a sports-luxury sedan version of the Optima midsize sedan that was introduced in December 2000. It features more power delivered by a 181-horsepower 2.7-liter DOHC V6, which is a modification of the current Optima's 170 horsepower 2.5-liter V6. This engine will also be offered in production Optima sedans in the 2002 model year. The powerplant is married to a four-speed automanual tranny that uses Porsche-developed transmission technology. The tranny also features more aggressive shift points for a sportier feel.
The enhancements continue underneath. The SE-L features sport-tuned, four-wheel independent suspension with double wishbones, coil springs, tubular shocks in front and multilink with coil springs and tubular shocks in rear. There are also antiroll bars in front and rear. Pretty 16-inch chrome wheels mounted with 215/55R16 Michelins complete the ride. The show car also sported new "Salsa" red paint.
In a presentation that was more stand-up routine than press conference, Kia big cheese Dick Macedo described the concept SE-L's interior as "more luxurious than a Park Avenue bordello." In addition to the loaded Optima SE, the Concept includes a real wood steering wheel and interior trim; power, leather, heated seats with memory; a power rear window shade; a six-speaker audio system with in-dash CD changer; and time-delay auto on/off headlights. At one point, Macedo complained that other carmakers like Volvo provided teleprompters for their presenters, but he had to read off a sheet of paper. "What a cheap company," he joked.
Macedo also told us that the SE-L version of the Optima is not a flight of fancy. He estimated that it will likely appear in mid-2002 as a 2003 model. Pricing will be a few grand more than the $21,000 that Kia currently charges for the top-of-the-line Optima SE.
Why should you care?
This is a good looking, feature-laden, relatively inexpensive, competent sports sedan that is a viable and attractive alternative to similarly equipped and priced sedans (for example, the Mercury Sable, Buick Regal, Chrysler Concorde). It should be built. — Neil Dunlop
Kia Optima SE-L Concept
What's special about it?
The Optima SE-L Concept is a sports-luxury sedan version of the Optima midsize sedan that was introduced in December 2000. It features more power delivered by a 181-horsepower 2.7-liter DOHC V6, which is a modification of the current Optima's 170 horsepower 2.5-liter V6. This engine will also be offered in production Optima sedans in the 2002 model year. The powerplant is married to a four-speed automanual tranny that uses Porsche-developed transmission technology. The tranny also features more aggressive shift points for a sportier feel.
The enhancements continue underneath. The SE-L features sport-tuned, four-wheel independent suspension with double wishbones, coil springs, tubular shocks in front and multilink with coil springs and tubular shocks in rear. There are also antiroll bars in front and rear. Pretty 16-inch chrome wheels mounted with 215/55R16 Michelins complete the ride. The show car also sported new "Salsa" red paint.
In a presentation that was more stand-up routine than press conference, Kia big cheese Dick Macedo described the concept SE-L's interior as "more luxurious than a Park Avenue bordello." In addition to the loaded Optima SE, the Concept includes a real wood steering wheel and interior trim; power, leather, heated seats with memory; a power rear window shade; a six-speaker audio system with in-dash CD changer; and time-delay auto on/off headlights. At one point, Macedo complained that other carmakers like Volvo provided teleprompters for their presenters, but he had to read off a sheet of paper. "What a cheap company," he joked.
Macedo also told us that the SE-L version of the Optima is not a flight of fancy. He estimated that it will likely appear in mid-2002 as a 2003 model. Pricing will be a few grand more than the $21,000 that Kia currently charges for the top-of-the-line Optima SE.
Why should you care?
This is a good looking, feature-laden, relatively inexpensive, competent sports sedan that is a viable and attractive alternative to similarly equipped and priced sedans (for example, the Mercury Sable, Buick Regal, Chrysler Concorde). It should be built. — Neil Dunlop
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