- IL offers an early look at the future Kia Optima coupe.
- Kia's Optima sedan is all-new for 2011.
- Optima sedan was unveiled at the New York auto show.
SANTA MONICA, California — Kia introduced its redesigned 2011 Optima just last month at the 2010 New York Auto Show, and now Inside Line has photo illustrations of the new Optima sedan less two doors, a shape that could become the Optima coupe.
Built on a new platform, the 2011 Kia Optima sedan is longer, lower and wider than the outgoing model, and its newly stretched dimensions look even more appealing in coupe form.
An Optima coupe (or Optima Koup, as Kia might choose to follow the same marketing direction established by its Forte Koup) would likely offer the same powertrain choices available for the Optima sedan. The midsize sedan presently comes equipped with either a 200-horsepower direct-injection, 2.4-liter inline-4 or a 274-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4. The sedan comes standard with a six-speed manual gearbox or an optional six-speed automatic with shift paddles on the steering wheel.
The 2011 Optima sedan arrives in dealers later this fall. A coupe version would likely follow a year later.
Inside Line says: Kia has finally taken a sharp turn down style avenue, so what better way to spotlight its fresh Optima than by adding a good-looking coupe? — Kelly Toepke, News Editor
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power2surprise says:
08:45 AM, 06/28/2011
All design is derivative, for sure - it's hard to tell the difference between the back of the Sonata and the Optima, although they are sister companies - but the unique thing about the Optima that we really like is the chrome extended beyond the side windows to the bottom of the rear beltline/back window. The overall shape looks like an Audi A8 or BMW 7 sedan, which is nice, of course, and gives it that "European" styling and distinguishes it from the Japanese lines.
turtle99 says:
09:35 AM, 05/31/2010
Very original. Feel the european touch.
vibsr says:
05:25 PM, 05/14/2010
It looks to me that Kia and Hyundai are really serious! For this class of vehicle, I'm usually partial to the Honda Accord coupe (well, at least until this current generation). I think this Optima coupe will send the Honda stylists back to their drawing boards. The Koreans have a reputation for offering high-content vehicles. A 200K mile warranty (if Kia offers it), might seal a lot of deals.
What about performance? If Kia builds this coupe, I hope they offer an entertaining drivetrain -- let's say something in a 6-speed manual. If the engine cranks out more than 275 horsepower, give it all-wheel-drive.
wlm26 says:
08:14 AM, 05/05/2010
I just did did a side-by-side of the 2010 Accord coupe and the Optima, and I definitely have to agree that they look so similar, if I didn't catch the grill, I would guess the Kia was the Accord. It's definitely not a bad design, but differentiation is a good thing Kia/ Hyundai!
conceptvbs says:
10:18 PM, 05/04/2010
@ gymotc
And you dont think other makers "copy" their competitors designs? Give me a break. Your putting unnessary bias against these two companies when others are doing the same thing.
If you think Hyundai and Kia is bad, just wait, just wait until you see what the Chinese have in store for you. You'll have a heart attack.
n2guru says:
10:27 AM, 05/03/2010
Peter Schreyer who used to be with Audi, who now heads the design team for Kia has done a wonderful job in designing the new Optima sedan. It definitely has a European flair to it. Nothing like the Accord sedan, as others have commented. I'm also surprised with the new quality, which is a definite improvement from times past. Combined with the new styling and the advanced DI four cylinder tech in collaboration with Hyundai, I think Kia is well on their way to becoming a top brand.
kleptomaniak says:
08:45 AM, 05/03/2010
Looks good, but the front looks so much like an accord coupe that it makes it look like a pretender. Even my GF asked if it was the new accord, so the majority of people out there would probably think the same. I'm sure it's a nice car, but Hyundai/Kia do have to do more to make their influences from other car designs more subtle, as they did with the new Sonata. For as long as they don't, the brand gets cheapened a bit.
skidrive9 says:
05:06 PM, 05/02/2010
Wow at first I wasn't sure of the styling but now I think it looks really good. And as far as copying style, I don't see how. It resembles an Accord Coupe but just barely. Excellent job styling all around.
Very sporty aggressive stance to it.
jscion says:
11:49 AM, 05/02/2010
My second time looking at this car and I like it more. I have to say that I'm not understanding all those with the accusations of copy cat styling??? Car makers style their cars on what the market is looking for at the time and what people will buy. So yes, some will look similar to each other as they are aiming to achieve the same goal...duh!!! And this Kia Optima Coupe certainly doesn't look like any Accord or Altima. Besides, if you can't tell the difference between a Japanese car and a Korean car, then you certainly don't have a good eye.
ne1butu2 says:
06:00 PM, 05/01/2010
This is a thousand times more attractive than the Down-Syndrome looking Altima coupe, which itself is a knockoff G37 coupe. While I think this kia looks better, I would never consider one. Too junky and the appearance of quality are just cheap veneers. But I do give them credit for designing cars that are vastly more attractive than even a year ago.