The car that will replace the Kia Magentis will look to define the firm’s future styling direction and will also influence all future models from the Korean company. The new car will go on sale in the UK next year following its design and current development at Kia’s European HQ in Frankfurt.
The car that will replace the Kia Magentis; Kia Optima; will look to define the firm’s future styling direction and will also influence all future models from the Korean company. The new car will go on sale in the UK next year following its design and current development at Kia’s European HQ in Frankfurt.
Kia is planning to have the car compete against the likes of the Ford Mondeo and although the Kia will only be available as a saloon initially the Korean company is considering developing an estate model. The company design boss is very keen on the idea and it is understood that he has already put a proposal forward. With both a saloon and estate model the new Kia will be much more competitive against the likes of the Mondeo and Vauxhall Insignia.
The new car will be based on the platform launched by the Hyundai Sonata and this will make the Magentis replacement both longer and wider not to mention lower than the Mondeo, Insignia and even VW Passat.
When it comes to what’s under the bonnet it is expected that the new car will have the option of 2.0-litre petrol and diesel units along with the diesel that is used in the Kia Sportage. That engine is able to return 131bhp and has 224lb ft of torque that will come in very handy. Details of the other engines aren’t available as yet but more details will be released nearer the time of the cars launch.
It is also understood that Kia will be looking into developing a hybrid version of the car as the Sonata platform has been developed with this is mind. The company’s battery technology is amongst the best in the world, they currently have a lithium hybrid version on sale in Korea based on the Forte saloon.