Brand new Kia Optima is spotted out testing

The brand new Optima model from the Kia brand due on sale next year has been officially spotted undergoing testing ahead of a European launch near the end of next year. The Korean manufacturer are well know for vehicles like the big selling city car the Rio and the Ceed. The Optima model was first introduced around the world in the year 2000 and from this time up until 2005 they were originally just a rebadged version of the Hyundai Sonata.

It was in 2011 that the latest version of the model was put on sale here in Britain and marked the cars third life cycle on our roads. The Sonata still has a crucial role to play in the success of this brand new Optima model as it does share the same platform. Both the interior and exterior of the car have been altered to bring in new parts and structures and the engine range that comes along with the new addition has been stated to be a revised version of the engine used in today's Optima model.

What new changes and parts help the new Kia Optima to stand out?

With our first ever look at the exterior of the car and what kind of alterations that it will benefit from, from the images that have been revealed of the car undergoing testing we see that features like a revised front grille, all new headlights and a redesigned front bumper have all been used this time around. Moving to the interior of the Optima now, we see a new centre console included alongside the larger infotainment system. More about the cars features and design are expected to be announced closer to the official time of launch or a reveal date.

Now with a look into the engine that comes with the new Optima, as we stated earlier on the inclusion of the current engine used in the model has been revised which means we see the fitting of a 1.7 litre,CRDi turbo diesel unit which will see overall power development come in at 134 brake horse power. A brand new hybrid version of the car will also go on sale in the form of a diesel unit combined with an electric motor. This will be same the unit that will be found in the new Optima T Hybrid concept machine that is being debuted at the Paris motor show next week. The Kia Optima over the course of its history The likes of the Mazda 6 and the brand new Mondeo model from the Ford brand are stated to be some of the top flight sources of competition for the vehicle when it is officially launched.

When will the new Kia Optima be revealed?

Although a price tag and a launch date for the vehicle are yet to be announced, it is expected that judging from the car just undergoing testing, it will be revealed sometime around the Geneva motor show in 2015 which takes place in March.