New Kia Optima Makes Its European Debut At Paris

The striking new Kia Optima is making its European debut at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. The bold and dynamically-styled D-segment saloon made its world premiere at the New York International Auto Show in April this year and will be on its way to Chingford, St Albans and Tunbridge Wells residents through Waters Kia and AutoPlanet Kia late next year.

Commenting on its anticipated arrival, Brett Kavanagh, Marketing Manager, Waters AutoPlanet

said: “We’re very excited about the Kia Optima. It goes on sale in Chingford, St Albans and Tunbridge Wells in late 2011, so we’re expecting it to significantly grow our market share in the D-segment. Having such an inspiring car in this category will be great for locals that haven’t considered Kia yet, but want a striking saloon that ticks all the boxes.”

Kia Optima is an all-new car from the ground up. Longer, lower, wider and with a longer wheelbase than any previous D-segment offering from Kia, it embodies what Kia’s Chief Design Officer Peter Schreyer calls “a bold, athletic and visual sporting energy”.

The Kia Optima’s specification will be tailored to European tastes, with buyers offered a choice of either petrol or diesel engines – both with performance and economy figures among the very best in class.

The engine line-up will comprise either a new highly-efficient ‘U2’ 1.7-litre VGT diesel engine which produces 136 ps* and promises best-in-class emissions (113 g/km* when fitted with Kia’s fuel-stretching ISG Start/Stop system) or an all-new technically-advanced ‘Nu’ 2.0-litre CVVL (continuously variable valve lift) gasoline engine producing 170 ps*.

“With the new Kia Optima, our global design team has penned a vehicle with distinctive dimensions and proportions that stands apart from everything else in its segment. Using an all-new mid-size platform and an all-new bodyshell, it moves our saloon product up to the next level of our design revolution,” commented Benny Oeyen, Vice President Marketing, Kia Motors Europe.

“In spite of the ongoing global economic uncertainties, Kia’s market research indicates that demand for D-segment saloons in many countries will grow steadily over the next three years. We anticipate segment sales rising by 23% from 4.3 million last year to 5.3 million in 2013,” concludes Oeyen.

As with all Kia models sold at Waters Kia and AutoPlanet Kia, the Kia Optima will be offered to Chingford, St Albans and Tunbridge Wells residents with the manufacturer’s unique 7-Year / 100,000 mile warranty, which is fully transferrable to subsequent owners.

For more information Waters Kia can be contacted on 0845 871 7014 for Chingford or 0845 871 5085 for St Albans and AutoPlanet Kia can be contacted on 0845 871 7134 for Tunbridge Wells.