Kia describes its latest Optima saloon, which is now going on sale, as ?sleeker, plusher, loaded with class-leading technologies, more refined yet more engaging to drive and up to 25 per cent more fuel-efficient?.
The all-new version of the Optima is the brand?s fleet market contender and Kia hopes to expand this presence with a new four-strong Optima line-up.
All four use the 1.7-litre CRDi turbodiesel engine, with either a six-speed manual
Or seven-speed dual-clutch auto transmission. Power output is up by five horsepower to 139bhp while torque has been increased to 251lbft, up by 11lbft, and its peak comes in earlier, at only 1750rpm.
The improvements see CO2 emissions down 14 per cent on the manual version, at 110g/km, with improved combined cycle fuel economy, up almost 10mpg to 67.3mpg. Those that choose the dual-clutch auto version will see bigger improvements over the previous torque convertor-equipped car, emissions down 25 per cent to 116g/km and fuel economy growing more than 17mpg to 64.2mpg. This, Kia points out, has a dramatic effect on benefit-in-kind tax rates, manual models dropping three tax bands, the auto some eight, alongside major improvement in annual Vehicle Excise Duty.
For those seeking further economy improvements Kia will add a plug-in hybrid model to the Optima line-up in 2016, with performance-pitched GT-Line and GT models to follow. An estate model is also expected, judging by the Sportspace concept seen at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2015....