Two weeks before the international premiere of Kia’s next-generation Optima, these teaser images have surfaced on the web – giving us some clue as to what the new D-segment competitor will look like.
Much of the new Optima was apparently inspired by the recent Sportspace concept, which is a logical evolution of the third-generation model. Obviously, the bulging fenders and wild alloys wheels of the Sportspace won’t make production, but the wide front bumper and narrow grille and headlamp combination seems to have been included in the teaser images.
Kia described the Optima as “passionately designed and obsessively crafted”. And judging by the sheer size of vehicle in the teaser images, could have grown slightly in terms of wheelbase and overall length.
While there’s talk of a hybrid diesel version, it seems that Kia will persist with the normally aspirated 2,4-litre engine. Thankfully, 1,6- and 2,0-litre turbopetrol motors are also in the pipeline.
The Optima will be unveiled at the New York Auto Show on 1 April.
