You’re looking at the next iteration of Kia’s Optima mid-size sedan, also known as the K5 in Korea, which we scooped in Germany undergoing development tests.
Kia has come a long way since the first Optima sedan from 2000-2005, especially with the current version that was introduced in 2010, as it not only boasted modern underpinnings and technologies, but thanks to design boss Peter Schreyer, a sleek, European-inspired styling.
Whereas German brands aim for a seven-year product lifecycle, Korean firms like Kia are usually content with a five-year lifespan, so they’re already preparing a replacement for the Optima, which should break cover next year.
The prototype we snagged is wearing a production body with an evolved, but not too different styling from the current Optima. The sloping roofline remains, but one of the main changes we see is the addition of a third side window behind the rear door.
The new Optima will share its platform architecture and engine range with the latest Hyundai Sonata, so expect a slightly bigger dimensions and a choice of 1.6-liter turbo, 2.4-liter and 2.0-liter turbocharged engines in North America.
Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoops
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